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Seeed Studio XIAO Plus, More Castellation IOs for SMD Soldering

✇Seeed
By: Lily
2 January 2025 at 16:20

The beloved Seeed Studio XIAO boards, with their surface-mount device (SMD) design and Castellated Mounting Holes, have become popular integrated system modules in countless creative designs, projects, and even commercial products. Their board-to-board soldering capability allows XIAO boards to be easily integrated into carrier boards, enabling faster assembly and scalable production.

Since launching our first XIAO SAMD21 (formerly Seeeduino XIAO) in 2019, we’ve received countless community requests for more than the standard 14 castellated mounting holes on two edges, as these weren’t sufficient for complex projects requiring additional IOs. Now, please meet Seeed Studio XIAO Plus – our response to this community feedback.

Inspired by the cool SMD pins design of the RICK TNY, Seeed Studio XIAO Plus represents a new iteration of our regular XIAO Boards, featuring redesigned 23 castellation pins (20 GPIOs, 3 power pins) and back solder points specifically for projects needing expanded IOs. We’re launching XIAO Plus versions for three models: XIAO ESP32S3 Plus, XIAO nRF52840 Plus, and XIAO nRF52840 Sense Plus, which are all available for instant order at our webstore and AliExpress Store.

XIAO ESP32S3 Plus
XIAO nRF52840 Plus
XIAO nRF52840 Sense Plus

Why only these three XIAOs?

While we’d love to upgrade all XIAO boards, the limited pins on some integrated chips (SAMD21, RP2040, RA4M1, ESP32-C3, and ESP32-C6) restrict the IO expansion. These three models were selected based on overwhelming user demand for additional castellated IOs. Moreover, the XIAO ESP32S3 Plus also doubles its Flash memory to 16MB, supporting more complex applications.

XIAO ESP32S3 Plus Pinout
XIAO nRF52840 Sense Plus

What's new with the back solder points?

Previously, XIAO boards lacked uniformity in their back-side solder points and layouts, hampering our ability to develop universal expansion boards. Our latest XIAO boards (RP2350, RA4M1, MG24 and MG24 Sense) share nearly identical back layouts. The XIAO Plus boards follow suit, with aligned battery and debugger pads.

This standardization means our upcoming expansion boards (such as the XIAO Clip Board) will work with all seven boards (3 XIAO Plus models, XIAO RP2350, RA4M1, and MG24/Sense). We’re actively working on compatibility solutions for other XIAO boards and will share updates once available.

Is XIAO Plus harder to solder?

The through-holes for 7-pin headers remain unchanged, but the castellated mounting holes are slightly smaller and closer together (13 on the left, 10 on the right). While this does make board-to-board soldering more challenging, our 11-person product team successfully tested it with early samples.

We’ll be honest – it requires more precision, but proper tools make a significant difference. Essential items include a brass sponge, water-soluble flux pen, tweezers, acid brush, and rubbing alcohol. For detailed guidance, check out SparkFun’s excellent tutorial on How to Solder: Castellated Mounting Holes.

Join Seeed Studio XIAO Adopter Program

Ready to showcase your soldering skills? Share your XIAO Plus project ideas in the comments! I’ll select three winners to receive their chosen XIAO Plus board (via coupon). Winners will be announced on January 10, 2025. Share now! To assist developers in adapting their projects to the XIAO Plus quickly, we’re adding all the XIAO Plus Boards to the Seeed Studio XIAO Adopter Program. If you’re an author or maintainer of a popular open-source project on GitHub, or an influencer on platforms like YouTube or Tiktok or Instagram, make sure your users can run your code on the XIAO Plus. Join to receive 2 free boards and technical support to make your code compatible with these exciting new boards.

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 Seeed Studio XIAO Plus, More Castellation IOs for SMD Soldering appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

Let’s Type Cooler with KeebSupply Keyboards: Zilpzalp and GEIST TOTEM, Powered by Seeed Studio XIAO

✇Seeed
By: Kezang Loday
29 November 2024 at 16:38

At KeebSupply, a passion for unique, high-quality mechanical keyboards has transformed a small hobby into a thriving business for Jakob, Conor, and Timur. Initially, Jakob and Conor’s tinkering led them to design a modest macropad in 2020, sparking a love for designing custom keyboards that’s only grown. Today, the KeebSupply team brings users thoughtful, meticulously crafted designs that balance simplicity with innovation, inviting keyboard enthusiasts of all skill levels to create and customize their perfect setup.

MacroPad image
Their very first 1337 MacroPad

With each product, KeebSupply aims to empower hobbyists and designers alike by creating versatile, customizable keyboards built around open-source principles. Collaborating with artists and designers in the mechanical keyboard community, the team develops products that support the DIY ethos, using quality materials and components while prioritizing accessibility.

Today, let’s dive into two of their very special innovations, Zilpzalp and GEIST TOTEM, to see how KeebSupply combines simplicity, community-driven design, and advanced tech with the tiny but powerful Seeed Studio XIAO controllers.

The Zilpzalp Keyboard: Compact, Portable, and Minimalist, Powered by XIAO RP2040


Source: KeebSupply

The Zilpzalp, designed by kilipan, brings a unique take to the unibody-split keyboard format. With just 28 keys, the Zilpzalp is a column-staggered keyboard that maintains the precision and functionality of a full-sized keyboard in a much smaller footprint. Its minimalist layout makes it a great choice for anyone prioritizing compactness without compromising on ergonomic features.

Central to the Zilpzalp’s design is the Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040 microcontroller, a compact yet powerful component that supports both QMK and ZMK firmware for wired and wireless configurations, respectively. The Zilpzalp offers various switch versions, including Choc and MX, with options for both hot-swap sockets and solder-only setups, so users can fully customize their tactile experience. Thanks to FOSS tools like KiCad and Ergogen, the keyboard’s PCB layout is open-source, inviting more customization options.

Source: KeebSupply

The Zilpzalp is ideal for minimalist enthusiasts who want a small, portable keyboard without sacrificing style or performance. Its compact nature makes it perfect for travelers, desk minimalists, and anyone looking to explore compact keyboards for the first time.

The GEIST TOTEM Keyboard: A Versatile, Ergonomic Split Design, Powered by XIAO nRF52840 and XIAO RP2040


Source: KeebSupply

GEIST TOTEM, a collaborative project between KeebSupply and designer GEIST, is a 38-key, column-staggered split keyboard designed with both comfort and flexibility in mind. TOTEM is a great fit for those who prefer a low-profile, ergonomic setup, as it comes with a split layout to help reduce strain on the fingers and wrists during long sessions.

The TOTEM kit comes in a wired and wireless variant. The wired version runs on the XIAO RP2040, while the wireless model uses the XIAO nRF52840 for seamless Bluetooth connectivity. Designed with beginners in mind, TOTEM includes pre-soldered diodes to streamline the assembly process. Each kit comes standard with a durable SLA 3D-printed black resin case, ensuring a sleek and sturdy build. For those seeking maximum convenience, a fully assembled kit option is also available, making it easy to dive into the world of custom keyboards.

GeistTotem img

Source: KeebSupply

It’s noteworthy that GEIST TOTEM won the first prize award in the Seeed Fusion DIY XIAO Mechanical Keyboard Contest back in 2022. It’s always exciting to see projects like this flourish in the community, thanks to KeebSupply.

The KeebSupply Experience

Whether you’re a DIY keyboard enthusiast or a newcomer to custom keyboards, KeebSupply’s Zilpzalp and TOTEM models bring something truly special to the table. These keyboards showcase the team’s commitment to accessible, high-quality designs, allowing users to personalize their typing experience fully. KeebSupply’s collaboration with designers like GEIST and kilipan reflects their passion for open-source designs and their support for the keyboard community.

For more about Zilpzalp, TOTEM, or any of KeebSupply’s projects, head over to their website.


More Info

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 Let’s Type Cooler with KeebSupply Keyboards: Zilpzalp and GEIST TOTEM, Powered by Seeed Studio XIAO appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

HackerBox 0109 Explores Bluetooth Streaming Applications with Hands-On Kit

✇LinuxGizmos.com
By: Giorgio Mendoza
30 November 2024 at 01:06
HackerBox 0109 provides an interactive platform to explore Bluetooth technology, offering tools and modules to experiment with PANs, stream audio, analyze communications, and discover Bluetooth-enabled features. The main key feature of the kit is the Bluetooth Audio Receiver module, designed to stream audio to headphones or speakers with ease. This module transforms any device with […]

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.

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