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r2d2-tv: Add a voice assistant and private browser to webOS TVs

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Made by Anubhav M

View profile on GitHub (opens in a new tab)

Add a local home screen, private browser and push-to-talk voice commands to a rooted webOS TV.

For advanced tinkerers comfortable with root access.

What it does

A Linux computer on your home network runs a sandboxed Chromium browser and local speech-recognition models, then streams the browser to the TV. The TV shows a custom Home screen and a viewer that sends remote presses back to the computer, and the remote's voice key sends short audio clips over an encrypted connection.

How to use it

Start by watching the creator's demo video and reading the story page. To try it, build the packages locally with Python and Node.js, then deploy the host services and TV pieces yourself; the repository provides source and offline tests, not an installer.

Common use cases

  • Open a website in the private browser: the page runs on your Linux computer, appears on the TV, and you move around it with the TV remote.
  • Press Home and see text tiles for your TV apps; brand logos appear only if you supply your own private logo file.

Can I use this?

Runs in a terminal

Requirements Needs Python and Node.js to build, an aarch64 Linux host with a CUDA-capable GPU, and a rooted webOS TV on the same network. Firmware pins and offsets must be re-derived for your own firmware.

Caveat Only validated on one TV and firmware combination, and the available voice commands are not listed in the source. A mistake can disable the remote, Home or voice until the TV is restored.

Worth knowing Validated on only one TV and firmware build; it runs as root, modifies system services, may void your warranty and can require a factory reset. Licensed under MIT.

Why it's here

Not trending this week

Last on the BuildTube front page on 30 October 2026. It stays on BuildTube so you can still find it.

  • 68 people have starred it on GitHub.
  • Shown on Hacker News (Show HN) on 23 October, with 112 points.

Numbers checked on 8 November 2026; not refreshed since.

Behind it

View source

BuildTube has not run or verified this project. Everything above is written from what the creator published.

Made this?

Quick questions

What is r2d2-tv?
A Linux computer on your home network runs a sandboxed Chromium browser and local speech-recognition models, then streams the browser to the TV.
What can I use r2d2-tv for?
Open a website in the private browser: the page runs on your Linux computer, appears on the TV, and you move around it with the TV remote; Press Home and see text tiles for your TV apps; brand logos appear only if you supply your own private logo file
Can I run r2d2-tv on my computer?
It runs from a terminal on your own computer. Needs Python and Node.js to build, an aarch64 Linux host with a CUDA-capable GPU, and a rooted webOS TV on the same network.
What do I need to use r2d2-tv?
A webOS TV with root access, an aarch64 Linux computer with a CUDA-capable GPU (about 10 GB of model weights), plus Chromium, Xvfb, PipeWire and FFmpeg; see the source for the full list.
What license does r2d2-tv use?
Licensed under MIT.

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