❌

Normal view

There are new articles available, click to refresh the page.
Before yesterdaySeeed

Expanding Technological Horizons: AI Vision and Prototyping Workshops in Colombia

✇Seeed
By: Gabriel Giraldo
28 November 2024 at 09:19

Continuing his mission to democratize access to cutting-edge technology, Seeed Studio Ranger Gabriel Alejandro Giraldo Santiago has spearheaded key educational initiatives across Colombia, focusing on hands-on training in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Vision and prototyping. Using tools like SenseCraft AI and XIAO ESP32S3 Sense hardware, students from various regions have gained practical skills to address future technological and societal challenges.

Technical Education in Curumaní, Cesar

On November 13th and November 25th, Gabriel facilitated virtual workshops for senior-year students at the San José Educational Institution in Curumaní, Cesar. During these sessions, students learned:

  • How to use SenseCraft AI to deploy pre-trained AI Vision models.
  • Methods to create customized models tailored to local challenges.
  • Integrating datasets for project training and application.

These workshops reached a total of 34 students, offering them exposure to advanced technologies and inspiring their interest in AI as a practical problem-solving tool.

6
4
Captura de pantalla 2024-11-13 071522
1
2
3
5
7
8

Recognizing Talent at Universidad Autónoma de Manizales

On November 21st, a technology fair was held at the Universidad Autónoma de Manizales, where students from various disciplines presented their year-end projects. Gabriel, representing Seeed Studio, allocated 5 certified awards to the top-performing teams, benefiting a total of 15 participants with an exclusive learning experience.

The winners joined a remote workshop on November 25th, where they were trained in:

  • Prototyping with the XIAO ESP32S3 Sense.
  • Advanced use of SenseCraft AI for creating and customizing AI Vision models.
  • Project structuring on platforms like Hackster.io and delivering effective pitches.

Each participant received a learning kit on a loan basis to ensure their active engagement during the workshop.

Support and Tools for Future Development

The selected teams gained more than technical training—they also received:

  • Licenses for tools like Notion to support project management.
  • A 6-month mentorship program to refine their ideas and explore their potential in initiatives like CO-CREATE AI.

Fostering Innovation Through Education

Our Ranger Gabriel Alejandro Giraldo’s dedication to technological education continues to inspire student communities across Colombia, demonstrating how access to advanced tools can significantly impact practical skill development. Through these workshops, participants not only acquire technical expertise but also cultivate curiosity and enthusiasm for solving real-world problems with AI.

The future of technological innovation in Colombia lies in the hands of talented young individuals who, thanks to initiatives like these, are discovering their potential and paving the way for creative, sustainable solutions. 🚀

The post Expanding Technological Horizons: AI Vision and Prototyping Workshops in Colombia appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

Innovation and Community: The Impact of the Vision AI and Prototyping Program in Manizales

✇Seeed
By: Gabriel Giraldo
28 November 2024 at 09:16

In a remarkable effort to democratize access to technology and foster local innovation, Seeed Studio Ranger Gabriel Alejandro Giraldo Santiago, in collaboration with the University of Manizales and supported by companies like Platzi, led an extraordinary program focused on training and developing technological solutions. This ambitious initiative culminated in an exciting Hackathon that brought together students, entrepreneurs, research leaders, and professionals passionate about technology.

A Journey of Learning and Innovation

11
4
8
10
5
1
2
3
6
7
9
12
13

The program kicked off with a series of workshops designed to introduce participants to the world of vision AI, prototyping with XIAO ESP32S3 Sense, and structuring innovative projects. Each workshop served as a stepping stone towards empowering the community with practical tools and applied knowledge.

Workshop Timeline

  1. November 12: The first workshop with 23 Systems and Telecommunications Engineering students.
  2. November 15: A nighttime session with 18 students from the same faculty.
  3. November 21: An open workshop for the local maker community, with 22 participants, including Electronics and Biomedical students, AI research leaders, and local entrepreneurs.
  4. November 22: An intensive night session for seven senior Systems Engineering students, complemented by five virtual attendees who joined due to weather conditions.

These sessions strengthened participants’ practical skills in technologies like SenseCraft AI and advanced libraries such as Roboflow, preparing them to tackle the challenges of the final Hackathon.

8
9
10
11
12
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

The Grand Final: Hackathon of Innovation

On November 25, the program culminated with a vibrant Hackathon at the University of Manizales. The event gathered participants from various disciplines across the city, who worked tirelessly in teams to solve real-world challenges using Vision AI and XIAO technology.

Hackathon Dynamics

  • Intensive training in creating custom models with SenseCraft.
  • Project structuring on Hackster.io and crafting effective pitches.
  • 3-minute team presentations, followed by 2 minutes of Q&A from a panel of expert judges.

Awards and Recognition

Participants didn’t just walk away with new knowledge and experience—they were rewarded for their effort and creativity:

  • Platzi virtual scholarships with personalized learning paths.
  • Smartwatches for outstanding innovative solutions.
  • Tech kits, including XIAO ESP32S3 Sense, XIAO ESP32C3, advanced ToF kits, and Nordic Semiconductor development kits.
  • Toolkits and virtual licenses for platforms like Notion.
  • 6 months of mentoring and incubation to turn ideas into sustainable business models.

Certificates, signed by the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Néstor Jaime Castaño Pérez, and Ranger Gabriel Alejandro Giraldo, were a testament to the program’s impact on each participant.

3
1
6
2
7
1
2
3
4
5
4

Acknowledging Partners and Judges

This program was made possible by the unwavering support and commitment of the University of Manizales, especially Luis Carlos Correa Ortiz, who played a key role in its execution.

Special thanks to the expert judges and mentors who guided and evaluated the teams with dedication:

Each of them received special recognition for their invaluable contributions to the Hackathon.

A Transformative Program

In total, over 96 individuals actively participated in this initiative, proving that with access to technology and knowledge, innovation can thrive in local contexts. This program marked a milestone, opening doors to new opportunities for developing solutions that turn challenges into positive impact.

With gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead, we thank all the participants, partners, and judges. This is just the beginning of a maker community ready to change the world! 🚀

The post Innovation and Community: The Impact of the Vision AI and Prototyping Program in Manizales appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

Important Announcement: Free Shipping Policy Adjustment and Service Enhancements

✇Seeed
By: Rachel
22 November 2024 at 09:48

Thank you for your continued support! To further enhance your shopping experience, we are rolling out a series of new features designed to provide more efficient and localized services. Additionally, we will be updating our current free shipping policy. Please take note of the following important updates:

Recent Logistics Enhancements

Between June and October 2024, we implemented several key logistics upgrades to enhance service quality and lay the groundwork for upcoming policy adjustments:

1. Expanded Shipping Options

  • US Warehouse: Added UPS-2 Day, FedEx, and UPS-Ground for more fast shipping choices.
  • CN Warehouse: Introduced Airtransport Direct Line small package service, reducing delivery times from 20-35 days to just 7-10 days.

2. Optimized Small Parcel Shipping and Cost Control

  • Adjusted packaging specifications for CN warehouse shipments, significantly lowering costs while improving shipping efficiency.

3. Accelerated Overall Delivery Times

  • Streamlined export customs clearance from Shenzhen and synchronized handoffs with European and American couriers, reducing delivery times to just 3.5 days.

Enhanced Local Services for a Better Shopping Experience

To meet the diverse needs of our global users, we’ve implemented several improvements in local purchasing, logistics, and tax services:

1. Local Warehouse Pre-Order

  • Launch Date: Already Live
  • Highlights: Pre-order popular products from our US Warehouse and DE Warehouse. If immediate stock is needed, you can switch to the CN Warehouse for purchase.

2. Enhanced VAT Services for EU Customers

  • Launch Date: Already Live
  • Highlights: New VAT ID verification feature allows EU customers to shop tax-free with a valid VAT ID.

3. US Warehouse Sales Tax Implementation

  • Launch Date: January 1, 2025
  • Highlights: Automatic calculation of sales tax to comply with US local tax regulations.

Free Shipping Policy Adjustment

Starting December 31, 2024, our current free shipping policy (CN warehouse orders over $150, US & DE warehouse orders over $100) will no longer apply.

We understand that this change may cause some inconvenience in the short term. However, our aim is to offer more flexible and efficient shipping options, ensuring your shopping experience is more personalized and seamless.

Listening to Your Suggestions for Continuous Improvement

We understand that excellent logistics service stems from listening to every customer’s needs. During the optimization process, we received valuable suggestions, such as:

  • Adding a local warehouse in Australia to provide faster delivery for customers in that region.
  • Improving packaging designs to enhance protection during transit.
  • Supporting flexible delivery schedules, allowing customers to choose delivery times that work best for them.

We welcome your continued input! Starting today, submit your feedback via our Feedback Form, and receive coupon rewards for all adopted suggestions.

Important Reminder: Free Shipping Policy End Date

  • Current free shipping policy will officially end on December 31, 2024.
  • Plan your purchases in advance to enjoy the remaining free shipping benefits!

We are also working on future logistics enhancements and may introduce region-specific free shipping or special holiday promotions, so stay tuned!

Thank You for Your Support

Your trust and support inspire Seeed Studio to keep innovating. We remain focused on improving localized services, listening to your needs, and delivering a more convenient and efficient shopping experience.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our customer support team. Together, let’s move towards a smarter, more efficient future!

The post Important Announcement: Free Shipping Policy Adjustment and Service Enhancements appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

SenseCAP T1000-E: Available Now with Flexible Shipping Options

✇Seeed
By: Rachel
21 November 2024 at 19:01

At Seeed Studio, we know how frustrating it can be to deal with stock shortages and long shipping times. That’s why we’re excited to announce major improvements to the availability of the SenseCAP T1000-E, our compact and powerful tracker designed for Meshtastic users.

With its pocket-sized design, low-power performance, and integration of Semtech’s LR1110 (863-928 MHz), Nordic’s nRF52840, and Mediatek’s AG3335 GPS module, the T1000-E delivers precise positioning and reliable communication for adventurers and professionals alike.

Now with Local Warehouse Pre-Order Options

We’ve listened to your feedback and worked hard to ensure that availability is no longer an obstacle. Here’s how you can get your hands on the T1000-E faster:

  • Local Warehouse Pre-Orders: View stock arrival times at our US or DE warehouses, place a pre-order, and secure your product before it sells out.
  • CN Warehouse for Immediate Shipping: Need it right away? Order from our CN warehouse, which ships immediately. For US customers, orders under $800 do not require customs clearance, making this option even more convenient.

If shipping costs seem high due to your location, you can also explore alternative purchase channels such as Amazon or AliExpress for more options.

Special Offers You Don’t Want to Miss

To make your shopping experience even better, we’re offering exciting promotions:

  • Buy 2, Get 2 Free: Add 2 T1000-E Trackers and 2 Snap Hooks to your cart, and the snap hooks are FREE at checkout (a $3.98 value).
  • Thanksgiving Deals: Over 200 products are on sale with discounts, Buy 2 Get 1 Free offers, and flash sales happening now!

Your Feedback Shapes Our Service

Your suggestions have inspired many of these changes. From addressing concerns about stock availability to offering pre-order options, we’ve taken your input seriously and will continue improving our services.

We’re always here to assist you. If you encounter any issues or have questions about the T1000-E, feel free to reach out:

Shop the SenseCAP T1000-E today and enjoy the convenience of our enhanced availability and exclusive offers. Your support drives us to do better, and we’re excited to help you take your projects to the next level!

The post SenseCAP T1000-E: Available Now with Flexible Shipping Options appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

Just Launched: reComputer R11, priced starting from＄179, could be the most adaptable and cost-effective edge IoT gateway & controller in your equipment cabinets!

✇Seeed
By: Serena Liang
20 November 2024 at 15:11

The Wait is Over! reComputer R1100 has been released! The reComputer R1100, powered by Raspberry Pi CM4, is an adaptable edge IoT gateway with AI capabilities. It features comprehensive industrial interfaces (2x Ethernet, 2xUSB, 2xRS485, 2xRS232, 2xDI, and 2xDO) and flexible wireless connectivity options (4G, LoRa®, Wi-Fi/BLE), making it ideal for diverse industrial applications.

Product Page

Satisfy your expectations for an edge computing device

The most adaptable edge IoT gateway for the most diverse industrial landscapes. A perfect balance between price, performance and power consumption.

Key Features

  • Powerful Performance: Raspberry Pi® CM4, Quad-core A72, up to 8GB RAM and 32GB eMM
  • Multiple Industrial Interfaces: RS485, RS232, Ethernet Ports, HDMI, USB2.0
  • Versatile Wireless Options: Support Wi-Fi, BLE, LoRaWAN®, Zigbee, 4G LTE*
  • Safety and Reliability: TPM2.0/ATECC608A, Hardware Watch Dog, Metal Enclosure, EMC Protection, PoE, UPS*

Perfect Choice for System Integrators and Solution Providers

reComputer R1100 could be a perfect choice for generic industrial applications, like automation, energy management, smart agriculture, and manufacturing. If you are integrators or solutions providers specializing in upgrading businesses with technology solutions, for example,

  • Smart shops that need several edge computing devices
  • Greenhouse requires about five industrial-grade edge controllers for environmental monitoring and downlink control
  • solar panel installations needing control computers for system management
  • …

Why design hardware from scratch? The reComputer R1100 offers a ready-to-deploy platform – just add your software solution. Cut R&D costs and launch faster!

Demo Presentation: reComputer R11 in smart retail for inventory monitoring and security monitoring

Hardware Overview

Industrial Grade Quality

Flexible and Open

Logo Customization, Firmware Flash, Branding and Labellig, Certifications, Add/Remove Functional Module, Modify I/O Ports, Design Enclosure, you can customize reComputer R1100 as you wish! Welcome you to contact edge@seeed.cc for further inquiry!

Related Products

reComputer R1000

The reComputer R1000 features dual Ethernet interfaces and three isolated RS485 interfaces, supporting Modbus UDP/TCP and BACnet protocols, which makes it a perfect fit for smart building and energy management, such as controlling HVAC systems and other subsystems like lighting, sensors, and access control.

reTerminal Series

If you want to stay informed of the latest updates, special offerings, real-world success stories, expert interviews, and webinars about edge IoT devices and be connected with the system integrators and solution providers from vertical industries like smart building, energy management, automation, we welcome you to subscribe to our dedicated Newsletter:

The post Just Launched: reComputer R11, priced starting from＄179, could be the most adaptable and cost-effective edge IoT gateway & controller in your equipment cabinets! appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

Upcoming Webinar – 8 Business Solutions Built with LoRaWAN and Low-Code IoT Platform

✇Seeed
By: Kezang Loday
13 November 2024 at 20:01

Hey community, we’re excited to share that we’re speaking at a joint webinar, “8 Business Solutions Built with LoRaWAN and Low-Code IoT Platform,” hosted by Blynk and The Things Industries. Join us on Thursday, November 21st, at 10:00 AM EST / 4:00 PM CET for the insightful webinar, where you can explore how to combine LoRaWAN-enabled hardware with Blynk’s low-code IoT platform can help you quickly launch and scale IoT solutions that are practical, powerful, and easy to manage.

Blynk TTI Webinar poster

Why You Should Attend

Building an IoT solution doesn’t have to be complex. This webinar offers a step-by-step look into using off-the-shelf LoRaWAN hardware including our SenseCAP LoRaWAN devices (read on to explore), paired with Blynk’s intuitive platform, to create impactful IoT solutions without heavy coding or lengthy development time. Whether you’re an IoT beginner or looking to expand your current deployments, this session has everything you need to set your IoT solutions up for long-term success.

What You’ll Learn

In just one hour, you’ll gain insights from industry experts on:

    • Quickly deploy and manage IoT solutions using best-in-class LoRaWAN hardware.
    • Seamlessly provision and manage devices with Blynk’s low-code platform for faster setup and efficient data handling.
    • Visualize data through no-code web and mobile dashboards to easily monitor and control your devices.
    • Explore 8 game-changing IoT Solutions which are designed to solve specific business challenges, offering ready-to-deploy options that can scale as your business grows

This session is designed to empower you to take your IoT deployments from prototyping to enterprise scale effortlessly.

Discover 8 Game-Changing IoT Solutions for Business

The hosts, Pavlo and Felix together with 8 industry leaders from Thermokon Sensortechnik GmbH, Pepperl+Fuchs Group, Miromico, Seeed Studio, MOKO SMART, Milesight IoT, ATIM Radiocommunication, and Blues, will introduce eight proven IoT applications across various industries. Each solution is designed to solve a specific business challenge, offering ready-to-deploy options that can scale as your business grows. Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll explore:

    • Smart heating for hotels 
    • Warehouse & production site solutions 
    • Building Management 
    • People Counting 
    • Personnel safety on construction site 
    • Water leak detection 
    • Smart metering 
    • Refrigerator fleet monitoring

During the webinar, our BD manager Violet Su will present our latest LoRaWAN solution with built-in Vision AI capabilities for efficient meter reading, person detection, people counting, object detection, and more. 

The solution is powered by SenseCAP A1102 Vision AI Sensor and SenseCAP S21000 LoRaWAN DTU. 

    • Built-in AI Camera: Local AI models for high-accuracy detection
    • Battery-Saving and Long Range LoRaWAN Connectivity: Perfect for various settings with range up to 10km
    • Industrial RS485 Support: Connect to your legacy LoRaWAN DTUs via RS485
    • Actionable Data: Integrated with Blynk’s low-code platform, making data easy to analyze and act on

Register Now

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the experts and bring your IoT ideas to life with LoRaWAN and low-code technology!

Mark your calendar for November 21st and take the next step in your IoT journey. We look forward to seeing you there!

The post Upcoming Webinar – 8 Business Solutions Built with LoRaWAN and Low-Code IoT Platform appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

Up to 90%off——Grab Deals Now or Wait Until Next Year!

✇Seeed
By: Rachel
11 November 2024 at 14:44

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and we’re launching amazing deals across the Seeed Studio website to power up your next project! Enjoy flash sales, big discounts, exclusive perks, and even special service upgrades—all for our loyal maker community. Now’s the time to grab everything you need!

New Features for Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving, we’re excited to show our appreciation for you with an extended return policy of up to 30 days (previously 5 days). We want you to shop confidently, knowing you have more time to make decisions and enjoy your purchases. Additionally, we’re introducing fast shipping options that can deliver in as little as 3 days—thanks to our strategically located local warehouses. This allows us to get your orders to you quickly, because your satisfaction and convenience are our top priorities.

Sale Timeline and Key Deals

Pre-Sale (Nov 11 – Nov 27)
Kick things off with our Pre-Sale to catch these awesome deals:

  • Mega Discounts on Popular Products: Get markdowns on Grove sensors, Seeeduino boards, Wio Terminals, and more top choices.
  • Buy 2, Get 1 Free: Buy any two items from a special collection and get the third free! Perfect for building your workshop or stocking up.
  • $10 Loyalty Reward: Returning customers, check your account for a $10 coupon! Spend $30 or more and apply it to your next order.
  • Big Spender Bonus: Spend over $200, and receive a $30 coupon for a future purchase—perfect for holiday shopping!

Flash Sale (Nov 28 – Nov 29)
This is the biggest sale of the year, with unbeatable prices on top products!

  • Flash Deals on Hot Items: Huge discounts on bestsellers in limited quantities. Don’t miss out!
  • Pre-Sale Offers Extended: Buy 2, Get 1 Free, and loyalty rewards are still active, so you can save even more.

Extended Sale (Nov 30 – Dec 9)
Missed the Flash Sale? No problem! Thanksgiving deals continue through December 9, so you still have time to grab big discounts on Seeed essentials like IoT devices and environmental sensors.

Want to Win a $30 Coupon? Share Your Seeed Story!

From November 11 to December 9, share your Seeed experience for a chance to win a $30 coupon!

  1. Post & Tag: Share a photo or video of your Seeed product with your thoughts using #ThankfulForSeeed on Facebook, X, Instagram, or Reddit.
  2. Submit Your Entry: Upload a screenshot and post link to our Google Form.
  3. Winners Announced: We’ll notify all lucky winners by email on December 10. Each winner gets a $30 no-minimum coupon valid through December 31.

Special Discounts for Educators!

As a thank you to all educators, we’re offering exclusive discounts to help support educational programs. Reach out to us to learn more!

Tips for Maximum Thanksgiving Savings

  1. Catch Us Live! 📺 Join our live streams on November 22 for a closer look at top products, demos, and insider tips on the best deals this season.
  2. Set Alarms for Flash Sales ⏰ Don’t miss out on the Flash Sales on the 28th and 29th! Stock is limited, so be ready!
  3. Check Your Email for Extra Savings 📬 Returning customers, look out for a $10 thank-you coupon in your inbox, good on any $30+ order. Plus, orders over $200 will earn you a $30 coupon for future orders, which you’ll receive by email on December 10.

🍂 Join our Thanksgiving Mega Sale and get everything you need for your next DIY adventure. From new kits to top electronics, we’ve got you covered. Dive into the sale and start creating!

The post Up to 90%off——Grab Deals Now or Wait Until Next Year! appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

Seeed Monthly Wrap-up for October 2024: Pushing Boundaries in Smart Sensing

✇Seeed
By: Ellie Cai
8 November 2024 at 16:26

Hey community,

 

Welcome to the latest edition of Seeed Monthly for October 2024! This month, we’re diving into Smart Sensing

In this edition, boost your knowledge with 9 in-depth tech explorations offering expert insights, 4 weekly livestream recaps, and 10 product and service showcases. Stay updated with 7 highlights on Seeed’s latest news and events, and explore the vibrant open-source community with 6 inspiring projects that showcase the future of innovation.

📚 I. In-depth Feature & Tech Exploration

01. reCamera Getting Started

reCamera is an open-source and tiny size AI camera, programmable and customizable, powered by an RISC-V SoC, delivering on-device 1 TOPS AI performance with video encoding 5MP @30 FPS. The modular hardware design and expandable interfaces offers the most verstile platform for developers building vision AI systems. Get started with reCamera today.

02. How to install CODESYS for reComputer R1000

CODESYS is a popular automation software development platform widely used in industrial control and automation systems. This article mainly introduces how to download and install CODESYS, and finally deploy the CODESYS project to reComputer R1000. Find more details here.

03. How to use CODESYS to configure the Modbus rtu function of R1000


This article mainly introduces how to use the modbus rtu function of reComputer R1000 based on CODESYS. We use the two rs485 ports of reComputer R1000, detail how to configure Modbus master and Modbus slave on CODESYS and show how to deploy them on reComputer R1000. Check out today.

04. Training Model for Watcher

This WiKi article will teach you how to use our SenseCraft to train your own AI model and deploy it on our Watcher. It will be a very interesting process. This is a platform that allows us to deploy various open-source AI models on Seeed Studio devices. Check out today.

05. Get Started for Meshtastic

Meshtastic is an open source, off-grid, decentralized, mesh network built to run on affordable, low-power devices. Seeed Studio provides a comprehensive range of ready-to-go Meshtastic devices for hobbyists and industrial users. Read more.

06. How to Use Orbbec Depth Cameras on reComputer with ROS

This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide on how to use Orbbec Depth Camera through ROS on reComputer J30/J40 series devices. Learn more.

07. Clip Application on Raspberry Pi with AI Kit

CLIP is a neural network trained on a variety of (image, text) pairs. It can be instructed in natural language to predict the most relevant text snippet, given an image, without directly optimizing for the task, similarly to the zero-shot capabilities of GPT-2 and 3. We found CLIP matches the performance of the original ResNet50 on ImageNet “zero-shot” without using any of the original 1.28M labeled examples, overcoming several major challenges in computer vision.

This wiki will teach you how to deploy the clip application on a Raspberry Pi5 or Recomputer r1000, clip will inference on AI kit. Click for more

08. Using VNC on reComputer Jetson

VNC is a remote desktop tool that allows you to remotely control your reComputer Nvidia Jetson form ohter PC devices, with real-time access to the graphical desktop. This wiki describes how to install and use VNC on the reComputer Nvidia Jetson. Check out the tutorial now.

09. Using MID360 LiDAR on reComputer

MID360 LIDAR sensors provide high-precision 3D point cloud data for various applications. This guide focuses on setting up the MID360 on a reComputer J30/40 device running ROS Noetic. Find out more.

🎬 II. Weekly Livestream: Making Next Gadget

Our renewed livestream “Making Next Gadgets” is back! Each livestream will feature a different tech theme, with our product dev teams sharing the latest product updates, project demos, and exclusive deals. Join us on a journey through the tech revolution happening right now!

01. reBuild a Relay Box for XIAO (Part 1)

Our Hardware Enginners Ruiwen and Jienian demonstrated the professional way of design and layout a 6 channel relay box, and challenging themselves to accomplish it within 60 mins, with the help of new AI native PCB design tools. Watch the video.

02. reBuild a Relay Box for XIAO （Part 2）

In our last session, our engineers Ruiwen and Jienian designed a 6-channel relay box. So this time our engineer DingDing has soldered a 6-Channel Relay Box in 20 mins, directly demonstrating the hand soldering process. Watch the video.

03. Edge AI for Robotics

We showcased how to leverage Jetson edge devices and integrate them with robots, to release the GPU power for environmetal depth/3D data processing and inferencing, making robotics intercept much more clear and nuanced understanding of the real world. Watch the video.

04. How the XIAO AI Microscope was Born ?

We had a live chat with Benedict, CEO of OpenUC2, Creator of Xiao AI Microscope and Researcher at the Leibniz Institute for Photonic Technology in Jena. Get a sneak peek into the development process and learn how Fusion Co-Create brought this innovative product to life. Watch the video

📰 III. Product & Service Showcases

Stay up-to-date with the latest product releases from Seeed. Discover new tools, platforms, and services designed to streamline your workflow and accelerate innovation in your projects.

01. New Firmware, Enclosure Tips and Installation Guide for ReSpeaker Lite

The ReSpeaker Lite Voice Assistant Kit has been available to community for some time, and thanks to your feedback, we’re thrilled to introduce several exciting updates! These enhancements make it even easier for voice assistant enthusiasts and DIYers to build their projects. The kit includes ReSpeaker Lite, ReSpeaker Lite with XIAO ESP32S3, Mono Enclosed Speaker – 4R 5W, Acrylic Enclosure for ReSpeaker Lite. Read more.

02. mmWave Sensor Kits for Presence, Fall, Breathing & Heartbeat Detection

Excited to introduce two new mmWave Sensor Kits designed to meet diverse needs: MR60BFD2 60GHz mmWave Fall Detection Sensor Kit with XIAO ESP32C6, and MR60BHA2 60GHz mmWave Breathing and Heartbeat Detection Sensor Kit with XIAO ESP32C6. Find out more here.

03. Simulate Your XIAO ESP32 Projects with Wokwi NOW

Seeed x Wokwi image

Three of our powerful XIAO ESP32 development boards are now fully integrated with Wokwi, the popular online electronics simulator! You can now experiment, test, prototype and build projects virtually with the XIAO ESP32C6, XIAO ESP32S3, and XIAO ESP32C3 directly from your browser. Discover More.

04. SenseCAP T1000-E for Meshtastic Update: FAQs, and Debugging Tips

To support the community further, we’ve compiled a few common FAQs and tips for the SenseCAP T1000-E. We are also excited to introduce SenseCAP Indicator for Meshtastic, can be another game changer as your Meshtastic phone or you name it. If you have any further questions, suggestions, or ideas, don’t hesitate to share your insights with us on our discord. Read more

05. Wio-SX1262 Introduction

The Wio-SX1262 is a low-cost, ultra-low-power, and ultra-compact LoRa® Pure RF module based on the high-performance Semtech SX1262 LoRa® wireless communication IC, supporting LoRa & LoRaWAN frequency from 868 to 915 MHz and up tp +22 dBm highly efficient transmitted power. Read more.

06. XIAO ESP32S3 for Meshtastic

Introduce XIAO ESP32S3 for Meshtastic & LoRa. Sized as small as your thumb, and priced at only $9.9, it‘s the smallest dev kit for prototyping your first Meshtastic and LoRa/LoRaWAN projects. Read more.

07. Meet Seeed Studio XIAO MG24, Tailored for Battery-Powered Matter Applications

We are now thrilled to introduce the Seeed Studio XIAO MG24 and XIAO MG24 Sense are two tiny Arduino-compatible development boards that uniquely combine Matter with the Seeed Studio XIAO ecosystem, all powered by Silicon Labs EFR32MG24! More info.

08. Connect to Chirpstack with Wio-SX1262 with XIAO ESP32S3 Kit

This wiki page explains how set up LoraWAN based on Wio-SX1262 with XIAO ESP32S3 kit as single channel gateway exchange data. And also connect the Sensecap S210x lora sensor node to Wio-SX1262 with XIAO ESP32S3 kit and transmit the sensor data to Chirpstack. More info.

09. Connect to TTN with Wio-SX1262 with XIAO ESP32S3 Kit

This wiki page explains how set up LoraWAN based on Wio-SX1262 with XIAO ESP32S3 kit as single channel gateway exchange data with TTN. And also connect the Sensecap S210x lora sensor node to Wio-SX1262 with XIAO ESP32S3 kit and transmit the sensor data to TTN. Read more.

10. New reComputer Mini Jetson Orin Series On the Way

Looking to integrate NVIDIA Robotics Jetson GPU power into compact autonomous systems? Our new reComputer Mini Jetson Orin series is on the way! Explore rich interface expansions, wide power support, and incredible demos showcasing robot arm control, patrol systems for mapping, navigation, and more! Contact us at edgeai@seeed.cc to get more details of reComputer Mini in advance. Check out today.

👩‍💻 IV. News & Event Highlights

Get the inside scoop on recent events and news. Gain valuable insights, key takeaways, and highlights from industry experts and thought leaders at the forefront of ML innovation.

01. Meet OpenUC2 10x AI Microscope, Making Advanced Microscopy Accessible to Everyone

OpenUC2 10x AI Microscope

OpenUC2 10x AI Microscope is a collaborative innovation between openUC2 and Seeed Studio that brings advanced, accessible microscopy to everyone. This “Raspberry Pi for Optics” features high-resolution imaging via an XIAO ESP32S3 with the OV2560 camera, precision motorized focusing, and a modular, robust design ideal for both field and classroom use. More info.

02. Seeed Studio Sponsors MakeUC 2024 to Empower Innovation

Seeed Studio is a proud sponsor of MakeUC 2024, the premier hackathon hosted by IEEE at the University of Cincinnati. Participants will have the opportunity to utilise our products to bring their innovative ideas to life.  More info.

03. Maker Farie Bay Area and Maker Faire CDMX

We had an amazing time at Maker Faire Bay Area and Maker Faire CDMX, showcasing innovative live demos and technology for makers, educators, and tech enthusiasts. From live demos of our popular XIAO series to exciting talks on AI and IoT, the energy was electric! 

04. MFSZ24 Factory Hi Tour: Step into the future of Shenzhen manufacturing

Join us on Seeed’s Hi Tour on November 18th for an immersive journey into modern manufacturing! Discover cutting-edge equipment used in PCB assembly and quality control, while gaining insights into digital management practices that drive efficiency. Understand our innovative co-create projects, illustrating how Seeed Fusion assists users from initial production to mass customization, and promotion. Read more.

05. Seeed Studio and Blynk Expand Partnership to Enhance IoT Integration with LoRaWAN and MQTT

SeeedxBlynk

We are excited to announce an expanded partnership with Blynk, the leading no-code IoT platform. This collaboration brings native support for LoRaWAN and MQTT protocols, empowering businesses to easily integrate Seeed Studio’s robust hardware into Blynk’s powerful platform. Find out more.

06. Workshop at PyCon APAC 2024 by Ranger Hendra Kusumah

Our Ranger, Hendra Kusumah, hosted a workshop titled “Building IoT and Camera Projects with XIAO ESP32S3 and MicroPython” at PyCon APAC 2024 on October 25. Find out more.

07. Thanksgiving Treat: Gobble up great deals on all Fusion products!

Thanksgiving Treat: Gobble up great deals on all Fusion products! 🚀 Limited-time offer: Enjoy 20% off your entire order (excluding shipping). Order Now

🌈 V. Community Project Spotlight

Celebrate the creativity and ingenuity of our community members with featured projects and ideas in machine learning. From open-source libraries to DIY solutions, there’s no shortage of inspiration to be found among our talented community.

01. Dynamic Video Signage Using Raspberry Pi Powered reComputer

Our latest project brings this concept to life with a Raspberry Pi-powered r𝗲𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝟭𝟬𝟬𝟬, 𝗡𝗼𝗱𝗲-𝗥𝗘𝗗 for a user-friendly interface, and custom object detection using 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗗𝗲𝘁. When the system detects specific products, like Coca-Cola or Sprite, relevant content is displayed on the screen in real-time, driven by 𝗠𝗤𝗧𝗧 and powered by 𝗩𝗟𝗖. Dynamic, engaging, and with minimal human interaction. Read more.

02. WatchThis: A Wearable Point-and-Ask Interface Powered by Vision-Language Models and XIAO ESP32S3 Sense

MIT Media Lab researchers Cathy Mengying Fang, Patrick Chwalek, Quincy Kuang, and Pattie Maes have developed WatchThis, a groundbreaking wearable device that enables natural language interactions with real-world objects through simple pointing gestures. Learn more.

03. SeamPose Powered by XIAO nRF52840, Repurposing Seams for Upper-Body Pose Tracking with Smart Clothing

A team of researchers at Cornell University has created SeamPose. This innovative project, led by Catherine Tianhong Yu and Professor Cheng Zhang uses conductive threads sewn over the seams of a shirt to transform it into an upper-body pose-tracking device by unleashing the power of XIAO nRF52840. Find out more.

04. MONOKEY, The One-Button Bluetooth Keyboard Powered by XIAO ESP32C3

Meet MONOKEY, a one-button Bluetooth keyboard designed to simplify your tech experience. Created by Big Bad Cult, MONOKEY is a revolutionary wireless 1% mechanical keyboard that brings utility, fun, and personalization to your daily tasks. Whether you’re looking for a practical key charm, a fidget tool, or a programmable button for macros, MONOKEY offers endless possibilities—all powered by the reliable XIAO ESP32C3 microcontroller. Check it out

05. BLE Data Glasses With XIAO Microcontroller (only a Few Parts)

The BLE Data Glasses project highlights a thrilling advancement—smart glasses that overlay real-time data directly in our field of vision, powered by the versatile XIAO microcontroller. Learn more.

06. Safety Helmet Detection System using Raspberry Pi AI Kit

Shakhizat Nurgaliyev builds a Safety Helmet Detection System using the Hailo AI Kit, converts the custom ONNX model into a format compatible with Hailo hardware. Check it out here.

That’s all for today, thank you all for reading through this October Monthly Wrap-up in your spare time. (It is indeed a fruitful month!) If you wanna share what projects you’re working on, shoot us a tweet @seeedstudio, let us know on LinkedIn and Discord, or publish your project on our Project Hub on Hackster.

 

 

#Notes

If you’re new to this session, here is a brief intro. We have gotten dozens of requests over the years for a Seeed Monthly Newsletter. Although we already have a newsletter for weekly updates, we still need a place to host overall information about what’s happened on a monthly basis. It can offer an efficient and friendly way to get updated for the whole community. And that’s what we expect for our Seeed Monthly Wrap-ups. Instead of putting it as a subscribe-to-read format, we’re publishing them on our blog, so as to keep it as open and accessible as possible for the whole community. For each entry, we will cover awesome projects from the community, campaigns that we are running, new products, IIoT Solutions, and even secret recipes for prototyping and manufacturing.

 

Previous Monthly Wrap-ups:

Recap for September 2024

Recap for August 2024

Recap for July 2024

Recap for June 2024

Recap for May 2024

Recap for April 2024

Recap for March 2024

Recap for Feb 2024

Recap for Jan 2024

Year in Review: Seeed in 2023

Recap for October & November

Recap for January & February 2023

Year in Review: Seeed in 2022

 

The post Seeed Monthly Wrap-up for October 2024: Pushing Boundaries in Smart Sensing appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

Seeed Studio at Smart City Expo 2024: Empowering the Future of Urban AI Hardware Solutions

✇Seeed
By: Elaine Wu
8 November 2024 at 01:42

Join Seeed Studio at Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) 2024 in Barcelona! As urban areas worldwide continue to evolve, the demand for smarter, more connected solutions is driving advancements in AI hardware and edge AIoT.

From November 5-7 at Gran Via, Hall 2, Booth F71, we’re excited to showcase our latest lineup of sensing, networking, and edge AI devices, designed to transform cities through real-time data, seamless connectivity, and high-speed AI processing at the edge.

1. AI Sensors: Multimodal Sensing for a Smarter Environment

A smart city depends on the ability to sense, monitor, and respond to its surroundings. Our AI sensors offer versatile environmental monitoring, long-range connectivity, and advanced scene detection. With over 100 open-source, pre-trained models, these sensors bring multimodal sensing to urban spaces, capturing data from air quality to traffic flow in real time to support an adaptable and responsive city environment.

Stay Connected in Remote Areas

Offering 4G, 5G, or WiFi connection even in remote areas, SenseCAP Card Tracker T1000-E is the world’s first IP65-rated Meshtastic device. Compact and card-sized, it easily fits in your pocket or attaches to assets, operating seamlessly on the Meshtastic LoRa mesh network. It offers high-precision, low-power positioning and communication. Additionally, the T1000-E features onboard sensors to provide temperature and light data, making it ideal for remote connectivity in unpredictable environments.

2. AI Gateways for Seamless Connectivity and Control

Cities are powered by data, and our AI IoT gateways function as hubs for data collection and connectivity. These gateways provide versatile connectivity options and advanced AI capabilities, collecting, processing, and distributing data across urban areas. By facilitating real-time adjustments and insights, our AI gateways help cities operate more efficiently and respond instantly to changing conditions.

3. Generative AI at the Edge with reThings Devices Powered by NVIDIA Jetson Orin

With reThings, powered by NVIDIA Jetson Orin modules, you can now deploy generative AI directly to the edge. Supporting advanced generative AI models such as Llama, LLaVA, and VLA, these devices push the boundaries of robotics intelligence and multimodal interactions. The deployment of generative AI at the edge enables cities to integrate more interactive and autonomous systems, streamlining everything from traffic management to public safety.

Develop Generative AI-Powered Visual AI Agents for the Edge

Powered by NVIDIA Jetson Orin modules, which deliver up to 275 TOPS AI performance for edge AI and robotics, visual AI agents can help unlock new possibilities for real-time video analytics in urban settings. These agents can analyze both recorded and live video, answer questions in natural language, summarize scenes, trigger alerts, and extract actionable insights. They support a wide range of applications, from object detection to security monitoring, making it easier to maintain safety and efficiency across city landscapes.

Jetson Platform Services (JPS) provides an AI service that allows optimized visual language models (VLMs) to run locally on the NVIDIA Jetson platform. This AI service can be combined with other components of JPS to build a mobile app integrated alert system. This system is capable of monitoring live streams for user-defined events and sending push notifications when the VLM detects the events.
Combined Vision AI and Generative AI with reCamera and Jetson Orin.


reCamera, our newly released vision AI platform, delivers next-gen video intelligence when paired with Jetson Orin. This configuration, running NVIDIA Metropolis software development kits for vision AI applications and VLMs, provides building blocks to quickly deploy fully functional systems for vision and other edge AI applications. Using the “TinyML + LLM” architecture demonstrated at NVIDIA GTC earlier this year, reCamera captures critical frames while Jetson Orin extracts insights through a VLM. For instance, if a user asks, “How many objects are in front of me on the right?”, the system will automatically adjust the camera with a gimbal, capture an image, and respond via speaker: “There are 3 objects in front of you on the right.” This seamless integration of vision and generative AI provides real-time, context-aware insights.

Join Us at Smart City Expo 2024

Explore how Seeed Studio’s AI hardware and edge AIoT solutions can transform urban spaces at Smart City Expo 2024. From multimodal sensing to generative AI at the edge, Seeed is here to empower the cities of tomorrow. Stop by Booth F71 in Hall 2 to see our demonstrations, connect with our team, and discover how our hardware solutions can help create a more connected, efficient, and responsive urban landscape.
📅 Date: November 5-7, 2024
📍 Location: Gran Via, Hall 2, Booth F71

We look forward to connecting with you at SCEWC 2024 and advancing the future of smart cities!

The post Seeed Studio at Smart City Expo 2024: Empowering the Future of Urban AI Hardware Solutions appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

Hacktober Recap, Workshop and Seminar for Open Source Community

✇Seeed
By: Hendra Kusumah
5 November 2024 at 16:50

This October has been tremendously packed with my duty as Seeed Studio’s Ranger. From OSHWA to Pycon APAC 2024, every event left a great spot on my mind. Here is the recap for my activity this October 2024.

1. October 3rd 2024, OSHWA 24 Hours Membership Drive Show & Tell

This live online session is initiated by OSHWA and runs 24 hours straight. My session is scheduled to run at 6 PM local time. After rushing to be at home before my schedule, I managed to get on time and share my open-source projects on Hackster. After sharing my open-source projects, I introduce the Seeed Studio Co-Create Gadget campaign to the audience.

2. October 17th 2024, Transforming IoT with Edge Intelligence Seminar

This seminar is initiated by the student organization on my campus and has two speakers. The other speaker is one of my ex student whom now work as a cloud engineer. It is the perfect opportunity to introduce Seeed Studio to my campus while also giving the students insight into the latest technology in AI, Machine Learning, IoT, and Edge Computing.

In the seminar, I mainly focus on the next step of IoT which is the inclusivity of Machine Learning in IoT solutions and how reComputer could be a small compact solution to implement it.

3. October 25th 2024, Pycon APAC 2024

This is my highlight of the month because the Python Indonesia community is becoming the host for this year’s annual Python Conference of the Asia Pacific area. In total, there are 80 Speakers from across Asia pacific with hundreds of participants.

At Pycon I managed to schedule a workshop session on 25th October 2024 titled “Building IoT and Camera Project with XIAO ESP32S3 and Micropython”.

In this workshop, I shared various things that the XIAO ESP32S3 can do with Micropython such as basic input and output, camera stream, displaying JSON weather data on the OLED screen, and interacting with the Grove Vision AI V2 sensor.

4. November 2nd 2024, Internet of Things Seminar at Universitas Banten Jaya

A friend from another campus has invited me to this seminar. The location of campus is in Serang, a neighboring city from where I live and it is a 2-hour drive from home.

The material that I shared in this seminar is the same as what I shared at my previous seminar on my campus. The organizer told me that they don’t have much insight regarding IoT on campus, so this seminar could be a huge step for advancing the knowledge on their campus.

The post Hacktober Recap, Workshop and Seminar for Open Source Community appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

Students and Faculty Explore New Frontiers of Design with Artificial Intelligence and XIAO ESP32S3 Sense at the Catholic University of Luis Amigó, Manizales

✇Seeed
By: Gabriel Giraldo
5 November 2024 at 13:47

Design students and faculty from the Catholic University of Luis Amigó in Manizales, Colombia, participated in an innovative workshop that brings together creativity and artificial intelligence (AI) through the use of the XIAO ESP32S3 Sense device from Seeed Studio. The workshop, led by Gabriel Alejandro Giraldo, Seeed Studio Ranger, showcased how this open-source hardware tool enables design professionals to experiment with AI and rapid prototyping, transforming ideas into interactive solutions.

The XIAO ESP32S3 Sense—a compact yet competent device—was the focal point of this event. Participants explored how to deploy both predefined and custom vision AI models using the SenseCraft AI platform, allowing them to work with visual recognition technology in an accessible and effective way. This combination of hardware and software empowers designers to transform concepts into interactive visual experiences and quickly develop prototypes of real products.

3
1
4
5
6
7
8
2

During the workshop, the SenseCAP Watcher, Seeed Studio’s innovative physical AI assistant, was introduced. Configured to greet and thank each attendee upon identification, the SenseCAP Watcher sent real-time notifications to organizers via the SenseCraft app. This demonstration showed participants how AI can be integrated into design projects to create interactive, engaging, and personalized user experiences.

The workshop also highlighted the importance of adopting AI in design, emphasizing that this technology does not replace human creativity but enhances it by automating repetitive tasks and facilitating real-time experimentation with visual ideas. Vision AI and rapid prototyping with AI offer designers opportunities to develop intelligent products that respond to their surroundings and improve user experiences.

This event marks a milestone in design education, demonstrating how advanced, accessible, open-source technology like the XIAO ESP32S3 Sense can enrich students’ learning and open new frontiers for creativity in design on a global scale.

The post Students and Faculty Explore New Frontiers of Design with Artificial Intelligence and XIAO ESP32S3 Sense at the Catholic University of Luis Amigó, Manizales appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

Transforming City Fountain Management with SenseCAP LoRaWAN Weather Monitoring-Based Automation in Slovakia

✇Seeed
By: Kezang Loday
1 November 2024 at 08:00

The city of Trenčín in Slovakia has transformed the management of its iconic Vodnik fountain using IoT-powered automation, powered by the Helium LoRaWAN network. By deploying SenseCAP sensors and controllers, the team at Heliotics supported the city automating the fountain’s operation based on real-time weather data, ensuring optimal efficiency and resource conservation. The system allows for remote management, significantly reducing water and energy consumption while minimizing the need for manual intervention. This innovative solution demonstrates how IoT can modernize urban infrastructure and enhance sustainability efforts in smart cities.

  • Solution: IoTech automated the Vodnik fountain using a smart weather station and controller, powered by Helium LoRaWAN, for real-time weather data, remote management.
  • Industry: Smart City Solutions, IoT Automation
  • Solution Deployed in: Vodnik Fountain, Štúr Square, Trenčín, Slovakia

Trenčín, Slovakia, is a city rich in history and known for its picturesque landmarks, including the Vodnik fountain at Štúr Square. This iconic fountain draws tourists and locals alike, especially during the summer. However, managing its operation, especially during adverse weather conditions, has proven both challenging and costly for the city. Traditionally, city workers had to manually switch the fountain on and off, leading to inefficiencies, excess water consumption, and unnecessary energy use. The need for a more efficient, automated solution prompted the city to explore IoT technology to manage the fountain remotely.

Fountain
The Vodnik Fountain

Challenges

Traditional Fountains, like the Vodnik fountain, need to operate under specific conditions to maximize their aesthetic appeal while conserving resources. Ideal operational conditions include moderate temperatures, low wind speeds, and no rainfall, ensuring optimal visual impact without unnecessary water or energy wastage.

However, the manual operation process required city workers to visit the fountain, turn it off during storms or at night, and turn it back on under favorable conditions. This time-consuming method led to unnecessary resource use when immediate action was needed, and it relied heavily on weather forecasts and human intervention. Moreover, the risk of damage from freezing temperatures or water splashing during high winds presented further challenges, leading to increased maintenance costs and resource wastage.

The Vodnik Fountain

Solution

To address these issues, our partner Heliotics implemented a smart, IoT-powered solution for the city of Trenčín, leveraging the Helium LoRaWAN network and Heliotics CORE app. This system integrates a SenseCAP S1000 V2 10-in-1 Compact Weather Sensor and SenseCAP S2100 Data Logger for real-time monitoring of weather conditions, and a Milesight UC300 Controller for automation of the fountain’s operation. The weather station tracks key environmental factors like temperature, humidity, wind speed, and rainfall, while the controller is connected to the fountain’s main electrical system to manage its operation.

This solution automates the fountain’s on/off cycles based on predefined threshold values (e.g., low temperatures, high wind speeds, or heavy rainfall), ensuring optimal operation. The system’s logic follows a color-coded range (green for favorable conditions, yellow for caution, and red for shutoff), allowing the fountain to shut down automatically under poor weather conditions and restart when conditions improve—all in less than 10 seconds.

The system also features remote management capabilities via the Heliotics CORE app, enabling authorized personnel to monitor and control the fountain’s operation from any device. Alerts via SMS or email are sent in case of extreme weather or malfunction, allowing for real-time intervention if necessary.

SenseCAP Data Logger

Why SenseCAP and LoRaWAN?

The SenseCAP sensors were chosen for their ability to deliver reliable and real-time data in outdoor environments, crucial for the automation of the Vodnik fountain system. The SenseCAP S1000 V2 10-in-1 Compact Weather Sensor provides multi-parameter monitoring, collecting key environmental data such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, and rainfall to ensure the fountain operates under safe conditions. These sensors are durable, designed to withstand harsh weather without frequent maintenance, making them ideal for continuous outdoor monitoring. Known for their low power consumption, SenseCAP devices are also cost-effective for long-term use and scalable, allowing for future expansion to other smart city infrastructure. Additionally, their seamless integration with the Helium LoRaWAN network ensures efficient, long-range data transmission, perfect for city-wide remote monitoring and automation solutions.

“Our IoT solution at Vodník Fountain in Trenčín uses LPWAN technology, reducing installation costs by eliminating cabling. With advanced automation and remote 24/7 control, the city has achieved nearly 75% savings in water use and optimized energy consumption. The flexible system also allows manual operation, saving time on-site and highlighting the sustainable impact of smart infrastructure” comments Miroslav Macko, CEO of Heliotics

Heliotics CORE App

Heliotics CORE App Dashboard

SenseCAP 10-in-1 Compact Weather Sensor

Results

The implementation of this IoT-powered solution has transformed the management of the Vodnik fountain, significantly reducing water and energy consumption by automating its operation. The system ensures the fountain only runs under optimal conditions, thus extending its operational lifespan and minimizing maintenance costs. Furthermore, remote monitoring via the Heliotics CORE app has reduced the need for physical intervention, allowing the city to respond swiftly to changing weather conditions while also conserving resources.

Overall, this smart solution has improved the city’s sustainability efforts, cut unnecessary costs, and enhanced the public experience of this iconic landmark. The success of this project demonstrates the potential of IoT in modernizing municipal operations, setting an example for other cities looking to adopt smart technologies for better resource management.

Partners

https://www.heliotics.com/ 

Heliotics is a provider of IoT solutions that specialize in smart city applications, offering advanced automation tools for urban infrastructure management. Through its flagship Heliotics CORE app, the company enables remote monitoring and control of various systems, such as fountains, lighting, and environmental monitoring, to optimize city operations. By integrating real-time data and automation, Heliotics helps municipalities like Trenčín achieve greater efficiency, reduce resource consumption, and improve sustainability.

https://www.helium.com/lorawan 

The Helium LoRaWAN Network is a decentralized wireless network designed for IoT devices, offering long-range, low-power connectivity across large areas. Known for its cost-effective and scalable infrastructure, the network allows smart city solutions to operate seamlessly without the need for traditional cellular or Wi-Fi networks. By utilizing Helium’s LoRaWAN technology, cities like Trenčín can monitor and control infrastructure remotely, enhancing both operational efficiency and real-time data collection.

More Case Study

The post Transforming City Fountain Management with SenseCAP LoRaWAN Weather Monitoring-Based Automation in Slovakia appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

Meet Seeed Studio XIAO MG24, Tailored for Battery-Powered Matter Applications

✇Seeed
By: Lily
31 October 2024 at 15:28

Choosing the right SoC for the next Seeed Studio XIAO is always challenging. It must represent cutting-edge technology, bringing innovation in communication networking, computing performance, or ecosystem compatibility. When Silicon Labs EFR32MG24 came into our view, we were immediately excited by its enormous potential to make the promising Matter® wireless communication protocol accessible to ALL – perfectly aligning with Seeed’s vision of Making Technology Accessible for ALL.

Matter connects IoT platforms and smart home devices across different brands, bridging the gap between different ecosystems like Amazon, Google, and Apple. This new industry-unifying standard provides reliable connections and simplifies development for makers. We are now thrilled to introduce the Seeed Studio XIAO MG24 and the Seeed Studio XIAO MG24 Sense, thumb-sized Matter®-native dev boards all powered by Silicon Labs EFR32MG24!

Seeed Studio XIAO MG24 (Sense), Tailored for Battery-Powered Matter Applications

The Seeed Studio XIAO MG24 and XIAO MG24 Sense are two tiny Arduino-compatible development boards that uniquely combine Matter with the Seeed Studio XIAO ecosystem. The EFR32MG24 Wireless SoC features a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M33 core processor running at 78MHz with DSP instructions, 1536KB Flash memory, and 256KB RAM. Thanks to the Silicon Labs SoC inside, the XIAO MG24 and XIAO MG24 Sense support Matter® over Thread® and Bluetooth® Low Energy 5.3. In the future, there will be support for the other common 2.4 GHz protocols on the Arduino Core.

XIAO MG24 Sense Hardware Overview

In the signature Seeed Studio XIAO form factor (21×17.8mm), both XIAO MG24 and XIAO MG24 Sense feature 4MB onboard Flash capacity, LED, and 19 GPIOs. The XIAO MG24 Sense additionally includes two onboard sensors: an analog microphone and a 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). These new XIAO boards excel in battery management, featuring an onboard charging circuit, internal IO for battery voltage measurement, and support for an increased charging current of 160mA. Their battery management system and ultra-low-power consumption design make them ideal for the rapid development and prototyping of Matter-based battery-powered IoT devices.

“Seeed Studio has consistently delivered innovative and cost-effective hardware solutions that empower developers around the globe. We are thrilled to collaborate with them on the XIAO MG24 boards, which integrate our EFR32MG24B220F1536IM48-B chip. This partnership not only broadens the reach of our technology but also aligns with our vision of fostering a vibrant developer community. We look forward to seeing the creative and impactful applications that will emerge from this collaboration,” says Rob Shane, Vice President, Mass Market Sales & Applications at Silicon Labs.

Seeed Studio XIAO for Matter: XIAO MG24 (Sense) & XIAO ESP32C6

These aren’t our first Matter-compatible XIAOs. Earlier this year, we launched the XIAO ESP32C6, supporting multiple protocols including Zigbee, Wi-Fi 6, BLE 5, and Thread. For those wondering about the differences between these models, please refer to the comparison table below to find the perfect match for your Matter applications.

Join Our Seeed Studio XIAO Early Adopter Program

XIAO MG24 and XIAO MG24 Sense are now available for pre-order through our Bazaar webstore at $7.9 and $10.9 respectively, with shipping expected in late November 2024. To celebrate the launch, here is a limited-time offer: 10% off for the first 100 purchases. Shop NOW.👇

To help developers quickly adapt their projects to the XIAO MG24 (Sense), we’re launching our XIAO Early Adopter Program. If you’re an author or maintainer of a popular open-source Matter or IoT project on GitHub, or an influencer on YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram, ensure your users can run your code on the XIAO MG24. Join to receive two free early sample boards (shipping mid-November) and technical support for making your code compatible with this exciting new board.

Notes at the end.

Hey community, we’re curating a monthly newsletter centering around the beloved Seeed Studio XIAO. If you want to stay up-to-date with:

🤖 Cool Projects from the Community to get inspiration and tutorials
📰 Product Updates: firmware update, new product spoiler
📖 Wiki Updates: new wikis + wiki contribution
📣 News: events, contests, and other community stuff

Please click the image below👇 to subscribe now!

The post Meet Seeed Studio XIAO MG24, Tailored for Battery-Powered Matter Applications appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

SenseCAP T1000-E for Meshtastic Update: FAQs, and Debugging Tips

✇Seeed
By: Zero Zhang
31 October 2024 at 13:23

Hi Community,

First, we want to extend a heartfelt thanks to each of you for your interest and support for the SenseCAP T1000-E. Since its release, we’ve been thrilled to see it being widely adopted within the Meshtastic community, helping enthusiasts like you enhance your connectivity projects. Your feedback has been invaluable to us, highlighting what you love about the device and where we can make it even better.

FAQs and Debugging Tips

We’ve received a lot of insightful feedback from the community, and our team is actively investigating each single of them. We are committed to ensuring that your experience with the T1000-E is smooth and reliable.

To support you further, we’ve compiled a few common FAQs and tips:

1. Accidentally updated the wrong firmware

Before you update the firmware, please check the firmware file carefully and DO NOT FLASH ANY FIRMWARE OTHER THAN T1000-E FIRMWARE, this may cause unexpected errors.

– Solution:

If you accidentally update the wrong firmware, please flash the bootloader first, and then flash the application firmware.

2. Device bricked

a. The device can still enter the DFU mode

– Solution:

Flash the bootloader first, and then flash the application firmware.

b. The device can not enter the DFU mode, but you can see the serial port of your device

– Solution:

Using a serial tool, set the baud rate to 1200, and then click connect, try this process multiple times until the green light of the device is solid, once the device is restored to DFU mode, you can follow a. solution then.

3. Battery drop issue

Following our battery discharge test, we found that the T1000-E battery performs as expected. We’re enhancing the battery discharge curve report to provide users with a clearer and more accurate performance overview.

For more details, please check the T1000-E wiki, if your issues still cannot be solved, feel free to contact our tech support team at sensecap[at]seeed.cc !

Last but Not Least: New Meshtastic-Compatible Products

A 4-inch touch screen driven by ESP32-S3 and RP2040 Dual-MCUs. With the compatibility with Meshtastic, SenseCAP Indicator can be another game changer as your Meshtastic phone or you name it. 🙂

A mini size LoRa Dev Kit with XIAO ESP32S3 and Wio-SX1262 LoRa module, with pre-flashed Meshtastic firmware, it’s ready for you to embark your journey with Meshtastic once it’s powered on.

– Get Started with XIAO ESP32 for Meshtastic

We’re Here for You

We are truly grateful for your dedication to improving the T1000-E. Your feedback has allowed us to make adjustments that benefit the entire Meshtastic community. If you have any further questions, suggestions, or ideas, don’t hesitate to share your insights with us on our discord.

Thank you once again for being part of the journey with us. Let’s keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible together!

The post SenseCAP T1000-E for Meshtastic Update: FAQs, and Debugging Tips appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

SeamPose Powered by XIAO nRF52840, Repurposing Seams for Upper-Body Pose Tracking with Smart Clothing

✇Seeed
By: Kezang Loday
29 October 2024 at 17:31

Imagine turning your everyday clothes into smart motion-tracking tools. That’s exactly what a team of researchers at Cornell University has achieved with SeamPose. This innovative project, led by Catherine Tianhong Yu and Professor Cheng Zhang uses conductive threads sewn over the seams of a shirt to transform it into an upper-body pose-tracking device by unleashing the power of XIAO nRF52840. Unlike traditional sensor-laden garments that change the clothing’s appearance and comfort, SeamPose blends seamlessly into everyday wear without compromising aesthetics or fit.

This project offers exciting potential applications in areas like health monitoring, sports analytics, AR/VR, and human-robot interaction by making wearable tracking more accessible and comfortable.

Source: Cornell University Team

Hardwares

To build SeamPose, the following key hardware elements were used:

    • Long-sleeve T-shirt with machine-sewn conductive thread along the seams.
    • Customized Sensing Board:
      • XIAO nRF52840 
      • A 36x31mm board with two FDC2214 capacitance-to-digital converters
      • 3.7V 290mAh LiPo battery
Source: Cornell University Team

How SeamPose Works

SeamPose operates by transforming ordinary seams in a long-sleeve shirt into capacitive sensors, enabling real-time tracking of upper-body movements. Conductive threads, specifically insulated silver-plated nylon, are machine-sewn along key seams—such as the shoulders and sleeves—without altering the garment’s appearance or comfort. As the wearer moves, the seams stretch and shift, causing variations in their capacitance. These signals are captured by a customized sensing board integrated with two FDC2214 capacitance-to-digital converters and the XIAO nRF52840 microcontroller. The XIAO nRF52840 transmits the data wirelessly via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to a nearby computer for processing.

The transmitted signals are fed into a deep learning model that maps the seam data to 3D joint positions relative to the pelvis. This allows the system to interpret complex upper-body movements using only eight sensors distributed symmetrically along the shirt. During testing, SeamPose achieved a mean per joint position error (MPJPE) of 6.0 cm, comparable to more invasive tracking systems. The XIAO nRF52840 ensures seamless real-time data transmission, making SeamPose a breakthrough in wearable technology by combining comfort with precise motion tracking.

Signals

Source: Cornell University Team

What’s Next for SeamPose?

SeamPose offers a glimpse into the future of smart clothing, where everyday garments become powerful tools for motion tracking without sacrificing comfort or design. However, challenges like real-world deployment considerations and smart-clothing manufacturing at scale need to be addressed for broader adoption. The research team plans to explore improved seam placement and enhanced sensor calibration for even more accurate tracking in the future.

If you’re excited about SeamPose and want to dive deeper, check out their paper on ACM Digital Library

End Note

Hey community, we’re curating a monthly newsletter centering around the beloved Seeed Studio XIAO. If you want to stay up-to-date with:

🤖 Cool Projects from the Community to get inspiration and tutorials
📰 Product Updates: firmware update, new product spoiler
📖 Wiki Updates: new wikis + wiki contribution
📣 News: events, contests, and other community stuff

Please click the image below👇 to subscribe now!

The post SeamPose Powered by XIAO nRF52840, Repurposing Seams for Upper-Body Pose Tracking with Smart Clothing appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

Meet OpenUC2 10x AI Microscope, Making Advanced Microscopy Accessible to Everyone

✇Seeed
By: Estella Tang
24 October 2024 at 08:45

When using a traditional USB Microscope, what is your biggest pain? Complex optical setups? Manual focusing adjustment? Fixed design without any flexibility? Reliability on the USB cable for connection? No timelapse or autonomous operation? These are no longer the pain with the OpenUC2 10x AI Microscope. With the vision of being the Raspberry Pi of Optics, the OpenUC2 team got the inspiration from electronics rapid prototyping tools, and invented this modular, automated and tinyML-enabled microscope.

Meet OpenUC2 10x AI Microscope, The Raspberry Pi of Optics

OpenUC2 10x AI Microscope is a collaborative innovation between openUC2 and Seeed Studio that brings advanced, accessible microscopy to everyone. This “Raspberry Pi for Optics” features high-resolution imaging via an XIAO ESP32S3 with the OV2560 camera, precision motorized focusing, and a modular, robust design ideal for both field and classroom use. With Wi-Fi connectivity, browser-based control, and support for autonomous operations like timelapse imaging, it’s designed for educators, researchers, and hobbyists alike.

Seeed Studio XIAO Microscope

The complete microscope kit is easy to assemble, customizable, and part of a broader initiative to democratize sophisticated scientific tools, inviting users to join a community committed to open science and open innovation.

Key Features

  • High-Resolution Imaging: Powered by XIAO ESP32-S3 with the high-resolution OV2560 camera sensor
  • Precision Control: Motorized focusing mechanism for micrometer-precise adjustments
  • Modular Design: Easily customizable with swappable objectives and additional modules
  • Portable & Robust: Compact form factor perfect for field research
  • Smart Connectivity: Wi-Fi enabled with browser-based control interface
  • Autonomous Operation: Supports timelapse imaging and SD card storage
  • Customized Firmware: TinyML for on-the-fly image processing directly on the device, integrating sensors and other hardware for automated experiments.
Microscope Application scene

However, this briliant product concept comes a long way. According to OpenUC2 team, It all started with the idea of creating a simple microscope for studying differentiating macrophages in a cell incubator back in 2017. From the beginning, UC2 was designed to make optics more affordable, available, and accessible. Adding additional features back then and the increasing interest from the research community made the the UC2 system a global resource for building and understanding arbitrarily complicated optical systems.

By now, with this latest OpenUC2 10x AI Microscope, the users can build anything from an introductory setup to a complex, high-resolution microscope using OpenUC2’s injection-molded cubes, enabling the the rapid assembly of complex optical setups, not only in educational settings but also for professional use in industries.

“Our goal is to build an open ecosystem/platform where people can easily exchange ideas and develop solutions, not just in electronics but also optics. “ Benedict Diederich, CEO of OpenUC2 shares their goal for this new microscope. “It’s crucial to lower entry barriers, allowing users to work with ready-made modules that can be purchased from an online shop. “

Brought to Market by Fusion Co-Create Services

If we date back, this is not the first projects that we collaborate with OpenUC2, but it makes a very special one where Seeed Fusion worked closely with OpenUC2 to bring this impactful product to the market, now available at our official store and hopefully in our distribution partners’ network soon.

Seeed Fusion is dedicated to elevating your innovative ideas into products and solutions for various verticals. With the full range of open-source modules and industry-grade devices, expertise in product design, experience in production, and resources in glocal community and marketing. We’re your go-to partner from 0 to ∞. Co-Create with Seeed Fusion, you can leverage Seeed’s capabilities in Prototype, Produce, and Promote, ranging from custom design, manufacturing to selling, covering the full product lifecycle from idea to delivery and iteration!

Initially, Benedict built a modular microscope using the cube framework. To reduce costs, we comprehensively optimized the product’s structure, including:

  • Structural optimization: Inviting professional engineers to optimize the overall structure design and select more optimal materials.
  • Supply chain optimization: Matching the supply chain locally to find the best suppliers and reduce material costs.
  • User experience optimization: Optimizing the product from application scenarios and user experience perspectives.
  • Packaging design: Designing a delicate and environmentally friendly packaging box to enhance the overall product value.

After more than three months of close cooperation, we finally launched the XIAO microscope, a high-quality and cost-effective product.

When talking about the Fusion Co-Create Program, Benedict comments, “The Fusion Co-Create Program helped transform our initial cube-based concept into a concrete product. Seeed Studio guided us through various challenges, forming a nearly friendly relationship between their product managers, engineers, and our team in Jena. The geographical distance and time zone differences were never an issue—we even collaborated with German contacts in Düsseldorf. A high level of trust was built, and I would recommend this program to anyone looking to bring an idea to life.”

Order Now to Support OpenUC2' s Vision

Open UC2 team’s vision perfectly aligns with our mission at Seeed to make technology accessible for all. The openUC2 10x AI Microscope is more than just a microscope – it’s an invitation to join a community of innovators shaping the future of optical instrumentation.

Ready to explore the microscopic world? The OpenUC2 10x AI Microscope is now available for order at our webstore at $109. For the people who decide to support OpenUC2’s vision, we’re also offering an early bird discount of 10% off. 

🎁 Type in the code OpenUC2 to enjoy the exclusive discount NOW as it’s a limited offer that expires on October 30, 2024.

If you’re interested in bringing this amazing invention to your community or country, please feel free to reach out us at maker@seeed.cc. Moreover, our Fusion Co-Create Program is dedicated to enabling more developers or teams like OpenUC2 to scale up their impactful designs, while they can get a licensing fee for each piece sold. If you also have a cool Seeeed-based project, that you want to bring to the market, feel free to reach out to us at fusion@seeed.io.

Last But Not Least: Meet OpenUC2 Team at Our Livestream

Be the first to know the story behind the Xiao AI Microscope! Join us this Friday for a live chat with Benedict, the mastermind behind this incredible device. Get a sneak peek into the development process and learn how Fusion Co-Create brought this innovative product to life. 

Tune in to our livestream for exclusive deals! We’ll be giving away limited coupons on the Microscope for $30 and $100 coupons for our Fusion PCBA service. Don’t miss out on this amazing deal!

📅 Date: 25 Oct. 2024 02:00 PM GMT
🔥 Join us on Youtube!!!

The post Meet OpenUC2 10x AI Microscope, Making Advanced Microscopy Accessible to Everyone appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

Seeed Studio and Blynk Expand Partnership to Enhance IoT Integration with LoRaWAN and MQTT

✇Seeed
By: Kezang Loday
23 October 2024 at 08:00

Seamless IoT with LoRaWAN and MQTT Support

With industries increasingly adopting LoRaWAN and MQTT protocols, Seeed Studio’s devices—like the SenseCAP LoRaWAN sensors and gateways—are now fully supported on Blynk’s platform. This expanded functionality simplifies IoT deployments by allowing users to monitor and control their devices through Blynk‘s intuitive dashboard, without needing extensive coding or infrastructure setup.

“The expanded functionality available with Blynk’s platform is a game-changer for businesses using Seeed Studio SenseCAP LoRaWAN devices,” said Joey Jiang, VP of Industrial Application Group at Seeed Studio. “Our customers can now take advantage of Blynk’s advanced device management features, such as multi-level user management and granular access controls, to manage fleets of devices at scale with ease. This integration allows businesses to focus on their operations while Blynk and Seeed handle the heavy lifting on the backend, from device provisioning to user control.”

SeeedxBlynk

Empowering Developers and Businesses with No-Code IoT Solutions

Through Blynk’s intuitive no-code platform, users gain access to advanced device management tools such as visual data visualization, automation workflows, and real-time alerts. With native MQTT support and a recent integration with The Things Stack for LoRaWAN, Seeed Studio hardware can now unlock unprecedented possibilities for IoT deployments.

“Our mission has always been to simplify IoT for businesses of all sizes,” said Pavel Bayborodin, CEO of Blynk. “By expanding our platform to support industry-standard protocols like LoRaWAN and MQTT, and partnering with Seeed Studio’s robust hardware lineup, we are enabling companies to launch powerful IoT systems faster than ever.”

Unlocking Opportunities Across Smart Industries

The extended partnership offers tremendous opportunities across key industries like smart agriculture, industrial automation, and smart cities. With Seeed’s SenseCAP LoRaWAN devices integrated into Blynk, businesses can achieve remote monitoring, real-time data transfer, and centralized device management with minimal effort. Whether deploying sensors in the field or managing urban infrastructure, users benefit from both Blynk’s software capabilities and Seeed’s reliable hardware for cost-effective solutions.

Discover Seeed Studio Products with LoRaWAN and MQTT Support

Explore Seeed Studio’s wide range of IoT solutions designed to seamlessly integrate with Blynk’s platform. Whether you need SenseCAP LoRaWAN sensors for environmental monitoring, LoRaWAN gateways for reliable connectivity, or development kits for rapid prototyping, Seeed Studio has the tools to bring your IoT vision to life.

About Seeed Studio

Seeed Studio, founded in 2008, is a pioneer in Open Hardware and IoT innovation, offering a broad portfolio of industrial IoT solutions, including sensor modules, edge devices, and platforms like SenseCAP. By promoting collaborative development and open-source principles, Seeed Studio empowers developers and enterprises worldwide to design solutions that address local challenges and advance emerging technologies such as AI and IoT.

About Blynk

Blynk is a leading low-code IoT platform that enables businesses to build custom mobile IoT applications and manage millions of connected devices globally. Used by over 1 million developers and 5,000 businesses, Blynk simplifies IoT management through easy-to-use dashboards and advanced user management features, accelerating time to market and helping companies scale their connected products.

The post Seeed Studio and Blynk Expand Partnership to Enhance IoT Integration with LoRaWAN and MQTT appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

Introducing XIAO ESP32S3 for Meshtastic, The Smallest LoRa Dev Kit in The World

✇Seeed
By: Zero Zhang
22 October 2024 at 16:37

Since we released the Wio Tracker 1110 Dev Kit and SenseCAP Card Tracker T1000-E, we’ve gotten a lot of feedback from the community to include a smaller, more affordable Meshtastic powered product. And our answer is the XIAO ESP32S3 for Meshtastic & LoRa. Sized as small as your thumb, and priced at only $9.9, it‘s the smallest dev kit for prototyping your first Meshtastic and LoRa/LoRaWAN projects.

XIAO ESP32S3 + Semtech SX1262 LoRa

Featuring the powerful thumb-sized XIAO ESP32S3 Dev Board and a Wio-SX1262 Extension Board, the XIAO ESP32S3 Dev Kit for Meshtastic & LoRa is a super mini LoRa dev kit supporting LoRa (862-930MHz) with a 5km LoRa range. It also supports WiFi, BLE for wireless communication with a range of 100m+. Built on the XIAO ESP32S3, the kit comes with a built-in power management systems, and can be expanded via IIC, UART, and other GPIO interfaces. Compatible with Arduino IDE, it’s available for pre-order now at $9.9, with an estimated shipping in November, 2024.

Key Features of XIAO ESP32S3 for Meshtastic and LoRa Dev Kit

  • Meshtactic works out of the box: Pre-flashed with Meshtastic firmware, it is ready to work once powered on.
  • Outstanding RF performance: Supports LoRa(862-930MHz) 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and BLE 5.0 dual wireless communication, support 2~5km(LoRa) and 100m+(Wi-Fi/BLE) remote communication when connected with U.FL antenna.
  • Thumb-sized Compact Design: 21 x 18mm, adopting the classic form factor of Seeed Studio XIAO, suitable for space-limited projects.
  • Powerful MCU Board: Incorporate the ESP32S3 32-bit, dual-core, Xtensa processor running at up to 240MHz, mounted multiple development ports, Arduino / MicroPython supported.
  • Elaborate Power Design: Includes a Type-C USB interface and lithium battery charge management.
  • Same Hardware for Multiple Applications: Can be developed as a Meshtastic node or router, a single-channel LoRaWAN gateway, or a LoRa & LoRaWAN sensor.

Applications of XIAO ESP32S3 for Meshtastic & LoRa

1.  Tap into Meshtastic for Off-Grid Communication

Meshtastic is an open-source, off-grid, decentralized LoRa mesh network designed for affordable, low-power devices. This XIAO ESP32S3 Dev Kit offers a flexible and cost-effective solution for Meshtastic developers. You can build a Meshtastic device at an affordable price and use it as an emergency communication tool, similar to the SenseCAP T1000-E, but simpler in function. Moreover, thanks to the amazing Seeed Studio XIAO Product Ecosystem, it’s compatible with the XIAO Expansion Board and the Grove Expansion Board for adding screens, sensors, and over 300+ Grove modules, allowing you to customize your unique Meshtastic devices. You can even design your own casing.

2.  Configure It as a LoRa/LoRaWAN Sensor Node

It can be set up as a LoRa node, enabling the XIAO ESP32S3 Dev Kit to connect with various sensors and transmit data using LoRaWAN. This offers flexibility for different applications, like home automation. Essentially, the XIAO ESP32S3 Dev Kit can serve as a data collection and transmission node, allowing for communication and control among smart home devices.

3.  The Most Cost-Effective Single-Channel LoRa/LoRaWAN Gateway

Thanks to the powerful Semtech SX1262 LoRa Chip, you can turn it into a single-channel gateway, making it the most cost effective single-channel LoRaWAN gateway in the world. It receives LoRa packets on a specific setting and share them with the LoRaWAN network. By using the XIAO ESP32S3 Dev Kit, you can set it up to connect to The Things Network or Chripstack. This kit is great for those who want to learn about LoRa technology and connect to a LoRa Network Server (LNS).

Some Useful Links

Here are some guides for you to get started:

  1. Get Started for Meshtastic
  2. Get Started for LoRa
  3. Connect to TTN
  4. Connect to Chripstack

Pre-Order Now at $9.9

Available for pre-order now at just $9.9, the XIAO ESP32S3 Dev Kit is one of our solutions to provide the community more affordable and flexible products for you to build your LoRa-based IoT projects. Stay tuned for more updates on our Meshtastic-powered and LoRaWAN products. If you have any ideas or suggestions about our Meshtastic-compatible products, feel free to share them in the comments!

The post Introducing XIAO ESP32S3 for Meshtastic, The Smallest LoRa Dev Kit in The World appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

WatchThis: A Wearable Point-and-Ask Interface Powered by Vision-Language Models and XIAO ESP32S3 Sense

✇Seeed
By: Kezang Loday
21 October 2024 at 11:58

MIT Media Lab researchers Cathy Mengying Fang, Patrick Chwalek, Quincy Kuang, and Pattie Maes have developed WatchThis, a groundbreaking wearable device that enables natural language interactions with real-world objects through simple pointing gestures. Cathy conceived the idea for WatchThis during a one-day hackathon in Shenzhen, organized as part of MIT Media Lab’s “Research at Scale” initiative. Organized by Cedric Honnet and hosted by Southern University of Science and Technology and Seeed Studio, the hackathon provided the perfect setting to prototype this innovative device using components from the Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32S3 suite. By integrating Vision-Language Models (VLMs) with a compact wrist-worn device, WatchThis allows users to ask questions about their surroundings in real-time, making contextual queries as intuitive as pointing and asking.

Credit: Cathy Fang

Hardwares

The WatchThis project utilizes the following hardware components:

Credit: Cathy Fang

How the Project Works

WatchThis is designed to seamlessly integrate natural, gesture-based interaction into daily life. The wearable device consists of a watch with a rotating, flip-up camera attached to the back of a display. When the user points at an object of interest, the camera captures the area, and the device processes contextual queries based on the user’s gesture.

The interaction begins when the user flips up the watch body to reveal the camera, which then captures the area where the finger points at. The watch’s display shows a live feed from the camera, allowing precise aiming. When the user touches the screen, the device captures the image and pauses the camera feed. The captured RGB image is then compressed into JPG format and converted to base64, after which an API request is made to query the image.

The device uses these API calls to interact with OpenAI’s GPT-4o model, which accepts both text and image inputs. This allows the user to ask questions such as “What is this?” or “Translate this,” and receive immediate responses. The text response is displayed on the screen, overlaid on the captured image. After the response is shown for 3 seconds, the screen returns to streaming the camera feed, ready for the next command.

The software driving WatchThis is written in Arduino-compatible C++ and runs directly on the device. It is optimized for quick and efficient performance, with an end-to-end response time of around 3 seconds. Instead of relying on voice recognition or text-to-speech—which can be error-prone and resource-intensive—the system uses direct text input for queries. Users can further personalize their interactions by modifying the default query prompt through an accompanying WebApp served on the device, allowing tailored actions such as identifying objects, translating text, or requesting instructions.

Credit: Cathy Fang

Applications

Imagine strolling through a city and pointing at a building to learn its history, or identifying an exotic plant in a botanical garden with a mere gesture.

The device goes beyond simple identification, offering practical applications like real-time translation of, for example, menu items, which is a game-changer for travelers and language learners alike.

The research team has discussed even more exciting potential applications:

    • A “Remember this” function could serve as a visual reminder system, potentially aiding those who need to take medication regularly.
    • For urban explorers, a “How do I get there” feature could provide intuitive, spatially-aware navigation by allowing users to point at distant landmarks.
    • A “Zoom in on that” capability could offer a closer look at far-off objects without disrupting the user’s activities.
    • Perhaps most intriguingly, a “Turn that off” function could allow users to control smart home devices with a combination of voice commands and gestures, seamlessly integrating with IoT ecosystems.

While some of these features are still in conceptual stages, they paint a picture of a future where our interactions with the world around us are more intuitive, informative, and effortless than ever before.

Credit: Cathy Fang

Build Your Own WatchThis

Interested in building your own WatchThis wearable? Explore the open-source hardware and software components on GitHub and start creating today! Check out their paper below for full details.

End Note

Hey community, we’re curating a monthly newsletter centering around the beloved Seeed Studio XIAO. If you want to stay up-to-date with:

🤖 Cool Projects from the Community to get inspiration and tutorials
📰 Product Updates: firmware update, new product spoiler
📖 Wiki Updates: new wikis + wiki contribution
📣 News: events, contests, and other community stuff

Please click the image below👇 to subscribe now!

The post WatchThis: A Wearable Point-and-Ask Interface Powered by Vision-Language Models and XIAO ESP32S3 Sense appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

Important Update: ZBT-1 USB Device Free Replacement Program

✇Seeed
By: Rachel
18 October 2024 at 16:21

ZBT-1 USB Device Now Available! We are pleased to announce that we have received the latest batch of quality-approved ZBT-1 USB devices from Nabu Casa.
Updated on October 23

You may have heard about Nabu Casa’s announcement regarding a non-conforming part in the ZBT-1 USB device. As a partner of Nabu Casa, Seeed Studio is committed to quickly addressing this issue. We are working closely with the official team to provide effective after-sales support. Once we receive your returned product, we will arrange for a replacement device to be shipped to you at no additional cost or offer you a refund.

Replacement Program Details:

Eligibility:
To qualify for the replacement program, please ensure the following:
● Your order was placed directly through the Seeed Studio online store.
● The order was made before October 1; any devices ordered after this date are unaffected, as the issue has already been resolved.
● The product in question is the Home Assistant ZBT-1, and not the Home Assistant SkyConnect.

SkyConnect (left) and ZBT-1 (right) branded devices, SkyConnect are unaffected by this issue.

All ZBT-1 branded devices produced, as of October 2024, are believed to have this fault. You can tell if your device is a ZBT-1 by checking the white label on the back for “ZBT-1”. There is no need to test if your device is affected by this fault.

Replacement Process:

If you wish to participate in the replacement program, kindly reach out to us by emailing techsupport@seeed.io.

  • Please include a photo of your product along with your order number in your email. This will help our team confirm if your product is part of the affected batch.
  • After confirmation, you will need to return the original ZBT-1 unit to us and Seeed Studio will cover all associated costs. Please note that you only need to return the blue USB device; there’s no need to return any other accessories or packaging.
  • Once we receive your returned product, we will arrange for a replacement device to be shipped to you at no additional cost or offer you a refund. However, due to customs policies, you may need to cover any applicable duties or taxes associated with the replacement. To support you, we will provide a coupon as compensation.

Extended Replacement Period:

Because the issues caused by the non-conforming part may only arise in certain setups, Nabu Casa will offer the replacement program for 60 months. This allows users who are currently using their ZBT-1 without problems to have peace of mind, knowing they can replace their affected device free of charge at any time within the next 60 months.

For more details, please refer to Nabu Casa’s official announcement here:Home Assistant Blog

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We are here to assist you every step of the way!

The post Important Update: ZBT-1 USB Device Free Replacement Program appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

❌
❌