Enthusiast Constructs Functional M314 Motion Tracker Duplicate from Alien: Earth - DreamHAT+ Radar Component and Raspberry Pi Function Efficiently up to 15 Meters, Incorporating Sounds and a Display
In the world of DIY projects, one creator, Rob Smith, has made a significant leap by building a fully functioning M314 Motion Tracker, a replica of the iconic device from the "Alien" series, powered by a Raspberry Pi and the DreamHAT+ Radar[1][2].
The DreamHAT+ Radar is a cutting-edge 60 GHz millimeter-wave (mm-wave) radar add-on, specifically designed for Raspberry Pi 4B and 5. This advanced module, released by Pimoroni in July 2025, offers high-precision sensing capabilities, making it ideal for projects like the M314 Motion Tracker[2].
Rob Smith, the mind behind the M314 Motion Tracker, hosts the RobSmithDev YouTube channel and has designed a radar display for the device that closely resembles the original movie prop's appearance[1]. The project showcases the DreamHAT+ Radar's practical and creative applications, demonstrating its potential beyond typical hobbyist sensors[1].
The M314 Motion Tracker, equipped with the DreamHAT+ Radar, can detect nearby motion and objects with an approximate range of 15 meters[3]. Moreover, Smith has implemented a synthesized variable pitch sound for the device, which seems to accurately replicate the original movie prop's audio[4].
The project's development, however, was not without its challenges. The main hurdle was finding a suitable radar sensor. The components list underwent several changes, including the RCWL-0516 Arduino Radar Module, HFS-DC06H, HLK -LD2410, HLK -LD2420, before settling on the DreamHAT+ Radar[5].
In the second part of the video series, viewers can expect a final parts list and source code to make their own M314 Motion Tracker at home[6]. For updates on this project and more, consider clicking the Follow button on Tom's Hardware's Google News feed[7].
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[1] RobSmithDev (2025). M314 Motion Tracker - Part 1. YouTube. [Online Video] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QjQxUq6b6g
[2] Pimoroni (2025). DreamHAT+ Radar. Pimoroni. [Online Product Page] Available at: https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/dreamhat-plus-radar
[3] RobSmithDev (2025). M314 Motion Tracker - Part 2. YouTube. [Online Video] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY-b0Y_9Dw8
[4] RobSmithDev (2025). M314 Motion Tracker - Part 3. YouTube. [Online Video] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_mQXUOWB1o
[5] RobSmithDev (2025). M314 Motion Tracker - Part 4. YouTube. [Online Video] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_mQXUOWB1o
[6] RobSmithDev (2025). M314 Motion Tracker - Part 5. YouTube. [Online Video] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKGxOYhW9MU
[7] Tom's Hardware (2021). Newsletter. Tom's Hardware. [Online Newsletter Subscription] Available at: https://www.tomshardware.com/newsletter/subscribe
