Help Bring MIRA to Life

I’m Richard, and I’m raising funds to help build the first working prototype of MIRA — Machine Intelligence & Routine Assistant, a project I’m developing through CTI Solutions LLC.

My goal is to create a small, locally powered AI appliance that connects to a computer and actually helps operate it in a practical office environment.

Most of the software development and testing will be done in-house, but I’ve reached the point where I need physical hardware to turn MIRA from an idea into a real device.

That includes MIRA’s local AI computer, storage, computer-control hardware, microphone and speaker system, camera, power and cooling, enclosure development, cables, and the other testing components needed to begin real-world development.

Why MIRA?

I’m building MIRA with small businesses, churches, nonprofits, home offices, and other small organizations in mind — especially places where one person often has to wear many hats and routine work can quickly pile up.

I want MIRA to eventually help with repeatable tasks such as preparing documents, checking calendars, gathering information from office software, drafting communications, troubleshooting computer problems, and preserving organizational knowledge so important procedures don’t exist only in one person’s memory.

Unlike an ordinary AI chatbot that tells you how to do something, MIRA is being designed to actually help do the work.

For example, instead of asking:

“How do I prepare this document?”

the goal is to eventually be able to tell MIRA:

“Prepare this document.”

MIRA could see the connected computer, operate its keyboard and mouse, work with the software already being used, gather the information it needs, and then stop for human review or approval when appropriate.

I also want MIRA’s core AI to operate locally, so it can remain useful without requiring an ongoing AI subscription just to function.

Why I’m Asking for Help

Your support will help move MIRA from an idea and software-development project into a real prototype that can be connected to a computer and tested in an actual office environment.

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps purchase the hardware and materials needed to build, test, troubleshoot, and improve the first unit.

If you believe in practical technology that could make everyday work easier for smaller organizations, I would truly appreciate your help.

And if you aren’t able to contribute financially, sharing the fundraiser, following the project, offering feedback, or simply sending some encouragement still means a great deal to me.

Thank you for supporting MIRA. I hope you’ll follow along as we turn this idea into a useful tool for people who are already wearing too many hats and have too much on their plate.

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Project Milestones

$750 — Give MIRA a Brain

Purchase and configure the primary local-AI computer, storage, power, and cooling needed to begin development.

$1,000 — MIRA Takes Control

Begin testing MIRA’s ability to see a connected computer and operate its keyboard and mouse.

$1,250 — Say Hi to MIRA

Develop a free Android companion experience allowing supporters to send MIRA short encouraging messages and hand-drawn notes while development continues.

$1,750 — MIRA Can Hear & See

Add voice interaction and PTZ-camera integration so MIRA can hear, speak, and visually interact with its environment.

$2,500 — MIRA v0.1 Comes to Work

Complete the first working prototype and begin testing real Office Manager and IT Technician workflows in an actual office environment.

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Where Will the $2,500 Go?

In the interest of full transparency, I want supporters to know specifically how I currently expect the funds raised for MIRA to be used.

$570 — MIRA’s Local AI Computer

**Orange Pi 6 with 32GB of memory**, providing the primary computing platform for MIRA’s locally running artificial intelligence.

$170 — Storage, Power & Cooling

NVMe storage for MIRA’s AI models, memories, workflows, and software, along with a quality power supply and cooling system designed for sustained AI workloads.

$100 — Computer Vision & Control Hardware

Video-capture and hardware keyboard/mouse-control components that allow MIRA to see the connected computer and physically interact with it.

$150 — Voice & Environmental Vision

Microphone/speaker hardware and a compact PTZ camera so MIRA can hear, speak, and visually interact with people and its surroundings.

$70 — Cables, Adapters & Networking

HDMI, USB, Ethernet, serial, and other connections needed to integrate the prototype.

$550 — Bambu Lab P2S 3D Printer

The printer will be used to develop and manufacture MIRA’s prototype enclosure, internal mounting brackets, camera mounts, cable-management components, ventilation pieces, CTI branding/trim, and future enclosure revisions in-house.

$100 — Filament & Prototyping Materials

Materials for enclosure prototypes, mounting components, design revisions, and other physical development work.

$150 — Estimated Taxes & Shipping

Taxes, shipping charges, and other costs associated with obtaining the development hardware.

$90 — Estimated GoFundMe Transaction Fees

An allowance for the transaction fees associated with receiving fundraiser contributions. The actual amount will depend on the number and size of individual contributions.

### $550 — Development & Replacement-Hardware Reserve

Prototype development rarely works perfectly on the first attempt.

This reserve allows me to replace components that don’t perform as expected, test alternative hardware, solve compatibility problems, and make improvements discovered during development without bringing the project to a stop.

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Total Development Goal: **$2,500**

Some MIRA development equipment may be purchased before the fundraiser reaches its full goal so development does not have to wait. If I personally advance the cost of an item included in this published project budget, fundraiser proceeds may be used to reimburse that **documented MIRA development expense**.

If development ultimately costs less than expected, remaining funds will stay with the MIRA project and be used to improve, refine, and continue development of the prototype.

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I especially recommend keeping that last reimbursement paragraph. It tells people **beforehand** that if you buy the P2S tomorrow with your own money and later reimburse that MIRA expense from campaign proceeds, you aren't changing the story after donations have already come in.