systems:segaai [Batocera.linux

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====== Sega AI Computer ======
The Sega AI Computer (セガ AIコンピューター) is an educational home computer released by [[wp>Sega|Sega]] in 1986, exclusively in Japan. It was Sega's second home computer and one of the company's rarest systems, with only approximately 5,000 units ever sold, primarily through mail-order and direct sales. A planned North American release under the name "Sega DI 8300" was cancelled.

The "AI" in the name refers to the system's built-in implementation of **Prolog**, a logic programming language closely associated with artificial intelligence research in the 1980s (it was the language chosen for Japan's [[wp>Fifth_Generation_Computer_Systems|Fifth Generation Computer Project]]). The system ran "Sega Prolog", a scaled-down version of the language, and was marketed as "the first computer with AI capabilities" for consumers.

The system features a [[wp>NEC_V20|NEC V20]] CPU (16-bit, x86-compatible) at 5 MHz, 128 KB RAM, and a [[wp>Yamaha_V9938|Yamaha V9938]] video chip (the same as the [[systems:msx2|MSX2]]). Sound is provided by a [[wp>SN76489|SN76489]] PSG, the same chip used in the [[systems:sg1000|SG-1000]] and [[systems:mastersystem|Master System]].

The system's defining feature is a large rectangular **touchpad** with interchangeable paper overlays. Each software title came bundled with custom overlays that provided context-specific buttons and interactive areas, transforming the input device for each application. The system also includes a microphone input and optional keyboard and Sound Box peripherals.

Software was distributed on **Sega My Cards** (.bin, 128-256 KB — the same card format used by the SG-1000 and Master System) and **audio cassette tapes** (.wav, .flac, .cas). 22 known titles were released between 1986-1989, all educational in nature, covering subjects from music and English to geography and creative writing.

The system was preserved in 2014 by the [[https://www.smspower.org/SegaAI/Index|SMS Power]] team and first emulated in MAME in January 2024.

This system scrapes metadata for the "segaai" group(s) and loads the ''segaai'' set from the currently selected theme, if available.
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==== Quick reference ====
  * **Emulator:** [[#mame|MAME]], [[#retroarch|RetroArch]]
  * **Core:** [[#libretro:_mame|libretro: MAME]]
  * **Folder:** ''/userdata/roms/segaai''
  * **Accepted ROM formats:** ''.bin'', ''.wav'', ''.flac'', ''.cas'', ''.zip'', ''.7z''

===== BIOS =====
^ MD5 checksum ^ Share file path ^ Description ^
| | ''bios/segaai.zip'' | Sega AI Computer BIOS ROM set |

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The ''segaai.zip'' BIOS file must match the version of MAME used in your version of Batocera. The zip contains the system ROMs: 2x64 KB system/Prolog OS, 1x128 KB character ROM, and 2x128 KB speech ROM. You can verify your BIOS files from the Batocera menu: **GAME SETTINGS > MISSING BIOS CHECK**.
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===== ROMs =====
Place your Sega AI Computer ROMs in ''/userdata/roms/segaai''.

Software comes in two formats:
  * **Sega My Cards** (.bin) — 128-256 KB cartridge dumps, the same card format as the SG-1000 and Master System
  * **Cassette tapes** (.wav, .flac, .cas) — audio tape dumps, recorded at 9.6 kb/s FSK modulation (very fast for the era)

===== Emulators =====
==== MAME ====
[[https://www.mamedev.org/|MAME]] (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator) is currently the only emulator that supports the Sega AI Computer. A working driver was created in January 2024 in collaboration between the [[https://www.smspower.org/|SMS Power]] preservation team and MAME developers.

The MAME driver supports most standard inputs. The touchpad overlay system is emulated via mouse/pointer input.

==== RetroArch ====
[[https://docs.libretro.com/|RetroArch]] (formerly SSNES), is a ubiquitous frontend that can run multiple "cores", which are essentially the emulators themselves. The most common cores use the [[https://www.libretro.com/|libretro]] API, so that's why cores run in RetroArch in Batocera are referred to as "libretro: (core name)". RetroArch aims to unify the feature set of all libretro cores and offer a universal, familiar interface independent of platform.

=== RetroArch configuration ===
RetroArch offers a **Quick Menu** accessed by pressing ''[HOTKEY]'' + {{:wiki:south.png?nolink&20|South button (B SNES)}} which can be used to alter various things like [[:advanced_retroarch_settings|RetroArch and core options]], and [[:remapping_controls_per_emulator|controller mapping]]. Most RetroArch related settings can be altered from Batocera's EmulationStation.

=== libretro: MAME ===
The libretro version of MAME can be used to emulate the Sega AI Computer. It uses the same BIOS and ROM sets as the standalone version.

===== Controls =====
The original Sega AI Computer used a large rectangular **touchpad** with interchangeable paper overlays as its primary input method, along with an 8-direction pad and 3 buttons. A mouse can be used to simulate the touchpad input in emulation.

The system also featured a **microphone** input used in some educational software.

===== See also =====
  * [[systems:sg1000|Sega SG-1000]] — shares the SN76489 sound chip and My Card format
  * [[systems:mastersystem|Sega Master System]] — shares the SN76489 sound chip and My Card format
  * [[systems:pico|Sega Pico]] — later Sega educational console
  * [[systems:beena|Advanced Pico Beena]] — successor to the Sega Pico

===== Troubleshooting =====
==== Black screen on boot ====
Make sure the correct BIOS file (''segaai.zip'') is in ''/userdata/bios/'' and matches the MAME version used in Batocera. Use **GAME SETTINGS > MISSING BIOS CHECK** to verify.

==== Cassette software won't load ====
Cassette tape emulation may have limited compatibility. If a cassette image (.wav, .flac, .cas) doesn't load, try a different format of the same tape dump. My Card (.bin) software generally has better compatibility.

==== Further troubleshooting ====
For further troubleshooting, refer to the [[:support|generic support pages]].