The IPEM PiHat is a HAT (Hardware Attached on Top) board for the Raspberry Pi that turns the single-board computer into a mains power energy monitor with four CT clamps. It provides an accurate way to track energy usage in home, office, and solar energy systems and is compatible with single-phase, two-phase, and three-phase electrical systems. The Raspberry Pi-based power energy monitor uses CT (current transformer) cable clamps to sample and measure data which can be used to report and analyze electric energy usage. This data can be used to save and divert energy to reduce costs and inefficiencies. The system is easy to set up and does not require a professional electrician. It uses a CT current clamp clipped over the building’s main power cables and connected to the local mains circuit for voltage and frequency measurement. The add-on board comes in two variants: IPEM PiHat and IPEM PiHat [...]

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NXP Semiconductors has launched the MCX L series of ultra-low-power Arm Cortex-M33 MCUs with the MCX L14x and MCX L25x SKUs. The new series offers similar peripherals as the rest of the MCX portfolio but uses a new “power management architecture that supports always-on, battery-powered applications” The MCX L series uses a dual domain architecture, with “real-time processing and ultra-low-power sensing functions in a single device.” The Arm Cortex-M33 core supports real-time processing functions while the Arm Cortex-M0+ core offers always-on operation in the ultra-low-power sense domain. The new microcontrollers reportedly use three times less power than their predecessors. The ultra-low-power series is targeted at energy-constrained applications, powered by a battery, ultracapacitor, or power harvesting circuit. These include building control, industrial sensing, smoke and fire alarms, flow meters, smart appliances, and motion detectors. NXP MCX L14x and L25x specifications: CPU Main core: Arm Cortex-M33 microcontroller @ up to 96 MHz [...]

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Tactility is an operating system that runs on the ESP32 microcontroller series. Created by Dutch software developer, Ken Van Hoeylandt (also known as ByteWelder), Tactility is a project one year in the making inspired by the Flipper Zero and its application platform. The ESP32 operating system can run built-in apps and helper services from flash storage as well as external applications from an SD card. It leverages the Espressif ELF(Executable and Linkable Format) loader to load ELF files from external storage to the executable memory area. Tactility is built to run on any ESP32-based device with a touchscreen since drivers (display, touch, and SD card) can be implemented for any hardware. ESP32-S3 devices are “the best option” due to their performance and larger memory. The LILYGO T-Deck series is highly recommended for its onboard keyboard and sizable display. Preset configurations are available for the LILYGO T-Deck Plus, LILYGO T-Deck, M5Stack [...]

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The Plant Bot is an open-source, Internet-enabled plant monitor powered by the ESP32-C3 microcontroller and integrating a corrosion-resistant capacitive moisture soil sensor and a pump driver on a single printed circuit board, eliminating the need for additional cabling. The Plant Bot is designed to automate indoor plant care by combining moisture sensing, light sensing, and pump activation. It can be powered via USB or a single coin cell battery which lasts up to a week with daily updates. An onboard multi-color LED visually represents the current soil condition, ranging from red (dry) to blue (moist). The “Soil Level” line on the board indicates the maximum depth to which the sensor or device should be inserted into the soil. According to the maker, the Plant Bot will remain unaffected by corrosion if the soil level does not exceed this line. Other solutions we’ve covered with a soil sensor usually separate the [...]

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The ZigEasy GEX series is a lineup of Zigbee / DigiMesh coordinators and Ethernet gateways based on Digi International’s XBee 3 and XBee SX 868 modules. These devices connect a ZigBee or DigiMesh network to a local Ethernet network or the internet. This makes it easier to create a robust Zigbee/DigiMesh network that can send and receive data from servers. The GEX2400 and GEX2400S devices integrate the Digi XBee3 module which supports Zigbee, 802.15.4, DigiMesh, and BLE and is configured directly with the XCTU software (USB or TCP/IP). The Digi SX 868 module on the GEX868 and GEX868S coordinators only supports DigiMesh. The “S” models include TLS 1.2 and AES-256 encryption for secure internet communication and are ideal for use cases that require internet access. These ZigEasy GEX Zigbee / DigiMesh coordinators can be used in mesh networks for smart homes, monitoring weather conditions, and tracking agricultural data. They can [...]

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The PicoPD Pro is an open-source Raspberry Pi RP2040 development board that integrates USB PD support up to 30V, and features like voltage negotiation and power delivery while still retaining the Raspberry Pi Pico functionality. It features the AP33772S USB-C PD3.1 sink controller from Diodes Incorporated. The AP33772S supports the full USB-C PD 3.1 specification, including Extended Power Range (EPR) / Adjustable Voltage Supply (AVS) up to 28V and Programmable Power Supply (PPS) up to 21V. The PicoPD Pro USB PPS/AVS development board is ideal for powering devices with specific requirements, such as motor control boards, LED drivers, custom battery chargers, and other high-power applications. It also features a 5V rail output for less demanding applications. It can also be used as an AP33772S evaluation board. We have previously seen other USB-C PD solutions like the Spark Analyzer, YULC LED Controller, and USB Insight Hub which may serve a similar [...]

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Looktech AI Glasses are AI-powered smart glasses with a “privacy-focused design” and several lens options. They are similar to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses but support GPT-4, Claude, and Gemini instead of Meta AI. Like Meta’s smart glasses, the Looktech AI Glasses incorporate headphones, a camera, and an AI model for a hands-free experience and personalized AI assistance. According to Looktech, the smart glasses can track calories, find recipes, set reminders, and perform image searches. The in-built 13MP camera can be used to capture high-res images and videos and the open-ear dual speakers provide “rich, spatialized immersive audio while keeping you aware of your surroundings.” Looktech has given some hardware specifications for the product but the list is a bit sparse. We have covered the much cheaper but underpowered LILYGO T-Glass. Although there are no promises of a physical AI agent, the Looktech glasses are similar to the M5Stack’s Module LLM [...]

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The MNT Reform Next brings the Rockchip RK3588 processor to the modular laptop series. It retains the open-hardware nature of the older MNT Reform and introduces a lighter and more modular design, complete with a much faster processor. The MNT Reform Next separates the three port boards from the main motherboard, allowing for greater customization and modification than its predecessors. The standard processor module (RCORE) can be swapped with other modules such as the Raspberry Pi CM4, as well as NXP i.MX 8M Plus, NXP LayerScape 1028A, and AMD Kintex-7 FPGA modules. Like the classic MNT Reform and the MNT Pocket Reform, the enclosure for the Reform Next is milled from anodized, bead-blasted aluminum. Apart from being repairable and customizable, the RK3588 modular laptop is powerful enough to be a daily driver for browsing, writing, programming, gaming, graphics design, sound creation, and video editing. MNT Reform Next specifications: SoM SoC [...]

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The vPlayer is an ESP32-S3 touchscreen video display that can be used for continuous MJPEG video playback from a microSD card. It features a 280 x 240 1.69-inch smartwatch-sized touchscreen display with backlight control and also offers expansion options via JST SH/SR connectors (UART, I2C, and I2S audio), and additional I/O pads on the PCB. All these features also make it suitable for applications such as weather displays, live traffic cameras, computer stats monitors, wildlife cameras, and fetching data from the Internet. vPlayer specifications: SoC – Espressif ESP32-S3 CPU – Dual-core 32-bit microcontroller @ 240MHz Memory and Storage – 4MB Flash and 2MB PSRAM Wireless – WiFi 4, Bluetooth 5.0 Storage – MicroSD card slot via MMC 4-bit interface Display – 1.69-inch touchscreen (280×240) P169H002-CTP TFT LCD ST7789V2 single-chip controller/driver CST816 touch controller Backlight control USB – 1x USB-C for power and data transfer Expansion JST SH/SR 1mm connectors for [...]

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The SignalSDR Pro is a Raspberry Pi-sized SDR that brings a credit-card-sized twist to software-defined radios (SDRs). It is a compact, streamlined device suitable for tasks ranging “from signal processing and spectrum analysis to communication systems and beyond.” The SignalSDR Pro builds on the Analog Devices AD9361 radio transceiver and the AMD Zync 7020 SoC into a credit-card format reminiscent of Raspberry Pi single-board computers. The Raspberry Pi-sized SDR also features a 40-pin GPIO header for expansion with other hardware components and added functionality. The device offers a 70MHz – 6GHz tuning range, 12-bit sample rate, 61.44MHz RF bandwidth, and two full-duplex TX/RX channels via four I-PEX antenna connectors. It is also capable of emulating other SDR hardware such as the ADALM-PLUTO and USRP B210, making it easier to integrate into pre-existing workflows. The SignalSDR Pro is a mid-range alternative to entry-level SDR options such as the AntSDR E200, KrakenSDR, [...]

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The Sensy32 Board is a compact sensor platform powered by Espressif’s flagship ESP32-S3 WiFi and Bluetooth microcontroller. The development board brings different monitoring devices together on the same PCB for easier integration into IoT ecosystems. It is a multipurpose device with several sensors bundled to measure and monitor ultraviolet light intensity, altitude, pressure, orientation, humidity, temperature, motion, and human presence. It includes a 9-degree-of-freedom inertial measurement unit (IMU) for 3D space orientation, while the built-in MEMS microphone can be used for audio input in voice detection and noise measurement applications. The onboard ESP32-S3 microcontroller powers the array of features and also offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity. The Sensy32 ESP32-S3 sensor platform also integrates an LCD screen for immediate feedback and real-time monitoring. We have covered other ESP32-based environment sensors such as the Qsen-07 multi-sensor board, AirGradient ONE, MoreSense MS-06, and Studio LUFF’s Air Quality Sensor. Sensy32 specifications: MCU [...]

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The Hornet Nest Alarm Panel is a customizable, ESP32-based alarm control system designed and produced by US-based Technology Automation Consulting for home security automation. The device is powered by the wESP32 Ethernet board with PoE support and is compatible with Home Assistant through the ESPHome firmware. It features up to forty-two optoisolated zones, six MOSFET-controlled outputs, and six additional trigger outputs for 3.3V devices. It integrates a piezo buzzer and supports add-ons like a Wiegand keypad and water leak sensors. The Hornet Nest Alarm ESP32-based home security platform “aims to bridge the gap between traditional wired security systems and the flexibility of modern smart home automation.” Christopher Greenless of Technology Automation Consulting says the project was born from his need for a robust and smart security system to integrate with his Home Assistant setup. Proprietary solutions were inadequate and limited while DIY options were inefficient and often unreliable. He created [...]

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4D Systems, an Australian company specializing in intelligent display solutions, has released Raspberry Pi RP2350-powered display modules with touch and non-touch options. The display modules are available in eight different sizes from 2.4-inch to 9.0-inch and different resolutions from 240×320 up to 800×480 pixels. They are “Powered by Raspberry Pi”-certified and leverage the Raspberry Pi RP2350’s dual-core architecture and security features for “secure, professional-grade applications that require modern UI”. 4D Systems is well-known for its high-quality displays designed for developers looking to create sophisticated user interfaces in embedded systems. There are four touch panel options for each gen4-RP2350 display module: non-touch, resistive touch, capacitive touch, and capacitive touch with a cover lens bezel (CLB). The gen4-RP2350 series also features a 30-pin FPC/ZIF socket to fit a 0.5mm pitch FFC for connecting a motherboard or accessory board. We have already covered Waveshare’s RP2350-LCD-1.28 display module but the gen4-RP2350 display modules are [...]

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STMicro has announced the availability of the STM32N6 microcontroller series based on the 800MHz ARM Cortex-M55 and the 600 GOPS-capable Neural-ART Accelerator. The STM32N6 is the company’s “newest and most powerful STM32 series,” bringing MPU-level performance to MCUs. It is the first STM32 to feature the Arm Cortex-M55 and offer up to 4.2MB of embedded RAM. Additionally, the chip includes ST’s NeoChrom GPU and an H.264 hardware encoder. According to Remi El-Quazzane, MDRF (Microcontrollers, Digital ICs, and RF Products) President at STMicro, the STM32N6 “marks the beginning of a long journey of AI hardware-accelerated STM32, which will enable innovations in applications and products in ways not possible with any other embedded processing solution.” STMicro offers two versions of the STM32N6 MCU: the STM32N6x7 AI line featuring the Neural-ART accelerator and the STM32N6x5 GP (general-purpose) product line without an NPU. The microcontroller series is primarily targeted at computer vision and audio [...]

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Sheffield-based IoT company, inx-systems has developed a programmable LoRaWAN IoT module and a development breakout board that integrates with Arduino MKR, Adafruit FeatherWing, Grove, and mikroBUS shields. The module is powered by an ESP32-S3 microcontroller which comes preloaded with inx’s no-code LoRaWAN software development platform, Lucid. The WAN-4-ALL module has built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and LoRaWAN connectivity via the ESP32-S3 microcontroller and Seeed Studio Wio-E5 module. This makes the module suitable for short-range, medium-range, and long-range IoT applications such as remote monitoring, home automation, industrial control, and smart agriculture. We have covered other LoRaWAN development platforms such as SB Component’s RAKWireless-based products, Particle’s multi-radio devices, and the UnPhone. The WAN-4-ALL module differentiates itself with the preloaded no-code LoRaWAN development environment and multiple connectivity options. WAN-4-ALL module specifications: SoC – Espressif Systems ESP32-S3 dual-core microcontroller @ 240MHz with Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth LE 5 LoRaWAN Module – Seeed Studio Wio-E5 Module based on [...]

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SECO SOM-SMARC-Genio500 and SOM-SMARC-Genio700 are two new SMARC system-on-modules products powered by MediaTek Genio 510 and 700 Cortex-A78/A55 series SoCs. These industrial modules are designed for high power efficiency and offer reduced energy consumption even during intensive edge AI workloads, and are suitable for retail touchscreens, intelligent industrial sensors, advanced conferencing systems, and dynamic digital signage. Both modules feature up to 8GB LPDDR4 memory, 64GB eMMC flash, two Ethernet interfaces via RGMII and USB, an optional M.2 slot for a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module, and camera inputs. We’ve previously considered Via’s offerings with the same MediaTek Genio 700 application processor: a SMARC module, a single-board computer, and a fully embedded system. The IBase ISR500 is another option featuring the Mediatek Genio 510 or Genio 700. SECO SOM-SMARC-Genio700 & SOM-SMARC-Genio510 specifications: SoC (one or the other) SOM-SMARC-Genio700 – MediaTek Genio 700 (MT8390) CPU – Octa-core processor with 2x Cortex-A78 cores @ up to [...]

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The YULC (Yes, a USB-C LED Controller) board is a compact, ESP32-S3-powered LED controller with USB-C and DC jack power inputs. It is a fully featured board that can easily replace a rat’s nest of wires and save space and time. This ESP32 LED controller features a built-in buck regulator that converts input power from the USB-C port or barrel jack to the voltage needed for the LED strips. The YULC provides two separate LED channels with a level shifter each to ensure clean and powerful data output, removing the need for a sacrificial pixel or external level shifter. Each channel also has a power MOSFET that can turn off the channels individually and dim simple LED strips via PWM. AAElectronics, the maker, has previously released an IR remote—the Home Assistant-compatible ESP 360 Remote—which we covered at the time. Similar products include the SMLIGHT A1-SLWF-03, DFRobot’s EDGE102-DMX512, and the PixelBlaze [...]

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STMicro has announced the EVLIOL4LSV1 IO-Link actuator board, an STM32G071CB Cortex-M0+ MCU-based reference design for commercial manufacturers with a built-in protocol stack and application software. Aimed at industrial beacons and home-appliance alarms, the EVLIOL4LSV1 combines the L6364Q dual-channel IO-Link transceiver (communications) and IPS4260L intelligent low-side power switch (for driving industrial loads). The EVLIOL4LSV1 IO-Link actuator board is powered by an STM32G071CB Arm-Cortex-M0+ microcontroller that hosts the proprietary stack and application software and communicates with the transceiver and low-side power switch. The evaluation board can be used to test the IPS4260 and L6364Q ICs. It features a 4-pin M12 connector for an IO-LINK master and a 5-pin SWD connector for programming. It can also directly interface with signaling systems, ranging from smart tower lights in factory automation to funnel alarms for quantity monitoring. The onboard transceiver is protected against electromagnetic interference and supports COM2 and COM3 speeds. It offers multiple modes [...]

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Retrocomputing enthusiasts will be delighted to learn that a new ZX Spectrum replica is on the market: the ESP32 Rainbow. The single board computer swaps the Zilog Z80 for an ESP32-S3 microcontroller chip running an emulator, bringing the classic 80s computer back to life with a modern twist. It features a built-in color display, a microSD card slot for storage, a built-in touch keyboard in the ZX Spectrum style, and a USB Type-C port for power and data. The keyboard was recreated using full-color UV printing and is the most true-to-life component of the ESP32-S3-based ZX Spectrum single board computer. The touch keys won’t likely offer the best typing experience but that is reminiscent of the original ZX Spectrum. A lovely cherry on top is that the onboard USB-C port supports HID and the device can be used as a keyboard on another computer. The ZX Spectrum is one of [...]

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Qualcomm has added two new IoT modules to its wireless connectivity product series: the Qualcomm QCC730M ‘micro-power’ WiFi 4 module and the QCC74xM tri-radio module, with both modules designed for smart homes, smart appliances, medical devices, and industrial applications. The Qualcomm QCC730M is a dual-band, micro-power Wi-Fi 4 module with a 60MHz Arm Cortex-M4F MCU, 640kB SRAM, 1.5MB RRAM, hardware crypto accelerator, and secure boot, debug, and storage. Its low-power design is ideal for portable, battery-powered IoT devices like IP cameras, sensors, and smart locks. Based on the Qualcomm QCC730 module, it features a 36-pin LGA package with a PCB antenna or RF connector and supports up to 4MB of optional NOR flash. The Qualcomm QCC74xM is Qualcomm’s “first programmable connectivity module,” integrating a 32-bit RISC-V module, optional stacked memory (PSRAM and NOR flash), and a tri-radio chipset for WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and IEEE 802.15.4 (Thread and Zigbee). Its [...]

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