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Introducing the NVIDIA Jetson Orin™ Nano Super Developer Kit: Redefining Generative AI for Small Edge Devices

By: Elaine Wu

As an Elite partner of the NVIDIA Partner Network, Seeed is excited to announce the release of the NVIDIA Jetson Orin™ Super Developer Kit. Delivering up to 67 TOPS of AI performancea 1.7x improvement over its predecessor—this compact platform enables seamless execution of generative AI models, including vision transformers, large language models (LLMs), and vision-language models.

Generative AI is transforming industries, but significant challenges remain:

  • High costs for cutting-edge hardware.
  • Cloud dependency with escalating fees.
  • Software optimization complexities.

At just $249, Orin Nano Super Developer Ki provides developers, students, and makers with the most affordable and accessible platform with the support of the NVIDIA AI software and a broad AI software ecosystem to democratize generative AI at the edge.

Existing Orin Nano Developer Kit users can unlock this performance boost with a simple software upgrade, enabling everyone to explore new possibilities with generative AI. Orin Nano Super Developer Kit is an exceptional platform for AI-powered robotics. Its compact size and robust performance make it ideal for state-of-the-art diffusion models, end-to-end robotic control systems, and applications such as autonomous navigation, object detection, and real-time sensor processing. Developers can leverage the NVIDIA Isaac™ robotics platform to streamline robotics workflows and build intelligent machines capable of operating in complex environments, unlocking innovations across industries of logistics, healthcare, and agriculture.

Jetson runs the NVIDIA AI software stack, providing access to powerful frameworks tailored to specific use cases:

  • NVIDIA Isaac™: Robotics applications.
  • NVIDIA Metropolis™: Vision AI development.
  • NVIDIA Holoscan™: Real-time sensor processing.
  • NVIDIA Omniverse™ Replicator: Synthetic data generation.
  • NVIDIA TAO Toolkit: Fine-tuning pre-trained AI models from the NGC™ catalog.

With the support of a robust software ecosystem, including NVIDIA’s TRT- LLM, developers benefit from accelerated inferencing, reduced latency, and enhanced efficiency.

The reference carrier board supports all Orin Nano and Orin NX modules, offering a versatile platform for various edge AI applications. Rich I/O options, including 2x MIPI CSI-2 connectors, M.2 expansion slots, and USB 3.2 ports, make it ideal for prototyping robotics, vision AI, and more.

The Jetson Orin Nano Super Developer Kit provides an affordable, high-performance alternative to cloud-based solutions, empowering developers to explore generative AI without recurring costs.

Technical Highlights

AI Performance67 INT8 TOPS
GPUNVIDIA Ampere architecture with 1024 CUDA cores and 32 tensor cores
CPU6-core Arm® Cortex®-A78AE v8.2 64-bit CPU 1.5MB L2 + 4MB L3
Memory8GB 128-bit LPDDR5
102 GB/s
StorageSupports SD card slot and external NVMe
Power7W–25W

Empowering Developers with a Thriving Ecosystem

As an Elite Partner in the NVIDIA Jetson Ecosystem, Seeed ensures developers have access to:

  • Cutting-edge hardware platforms tailored to the Jetson Orin Nano Super Developer Kit.
  • Expert support for cameras, sensors, and custom carrier boards.
  • A global network of AI-focused partners to accelerate your journey from prototype to product.

Seeed’s partnership with NVIDIA reflects our commitment to empowering developers with tools, support, and guidance for innovation in edge AI and generative AI.

Unlock Your Generative AI Playground

From robotics to video analytics and beyond, the Jetson Orin Nano Super Developer Kit is the ultimate platform for exploring the potential of generative AI. Whether you’re a student, maker, or developer, this solution makes innovation more accessible than ever before.

About Seeed

Seeed is a global leader in open hardware innovation and an NVIDIA Elite Partner, We specialize in cutting-edge open hardware platforms.We aim to democratize technology through IoT and AI, empowering developers worldwide to break barriers in hardware innovation.

The post Introducing the NVIDIA Jetson Orin™ Nano Super Developer Kit: Redefining Generative AI for Small Edge Devices appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

Home Assistant Yellow’s CM5 Ready: Full Stock Available Now at Seeed!

Home Assistant has announced a significant upgrade to its Yellow platform with Compute Module 5 (CM5) support in HAOS 14. This expansion brings enhanced capabilities while maintaining strong support for existing CM4 users.

https://www.home-assistant.io/blog/2024/11/27/home-assistant-yellow-gets-cm5-support

Key Updates

Core Updates:

  • Home Assistant Yellow now supports CM5 (Compute Module 5)
  • Support will be available in the HAOS 14 release

CM5 Advantages:

  • Higher performance, up to 3x faster for ESPHome compilation
  • Better local speech-to-text processing
  • Suitable for power users’ needs

HAOS 14 Additional Updates:

  • Added support for Hailo-8 AI accelerator
  • AI capabilities for Pi 5

This update reinforces Home Assistant’s commitment to providing users with scalable, future-proof smart home solutions. While CM5 offers significant performance benefits for power users, CM4 remains a viable option for standard installations, demonstrating Home Assistant’s balanced approach to hardware evolution. Apart from that, CM4 production will continue and Raspberry Pi commits to support CM4 until 2034.

How to Install HAOS on CM5

Note: It’s necessary to use the latest version of rpiboot when installing Home Assistant OS for CM5. Download the latest Version.

For full details on how to set up your Home Assistant Yellow. Visit detailed Wiki.

Check Relative Products

Home Assistant Yellow


Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5  $70.00

The post Home Assistant Yellow’s CM5 Ready: Full Stock Available Now at Seeed! appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

Seeed Studio at the 2nd UIC TrainRail Hackathon: Advancing Innovation in the Railway Industry

By: Ellie Cai

From November 23rd to 24th, 2024, the 2nd UIC TrainRail Hackathon Asia-Pacific Regional Competition took place at Southwest Jiaotong University in China. The event attracted over 200 talented students from across the Asia-Pacific region, forming 42 teams to explore solutions for the future of the railway industry. With themes centered on enhancing passenger experience, strengthening freight capacity, and optimizing operational efficiency, the competition brought fresh perspectives and innovative technologies to the sector.

Committed to nurturing innovation and driving industry progress, Seeed Studio was thrilled to support the competition, together with other institutions such as Khon Kaen University in Thailand and Yamanashi University in Japan.

We were happy to provide comprehensive support throughout the competition, including pre-competition technical guidance and a wide range of hardware resources such as XIAO series, Grove sensors, Arduino kits, LoRa E5 modules, and Raspberry Pi modules, etc, empowering participants to rapidly prototype their ideas and overcome technical challenges.

Teams from Southwest Jiaotong University and Shijiazhuang Railway University claimed the top prizes for their exceptional projects. They will represent the Asia-Pacific region at the global finals in April 2025.

Highlights of Winning Projects

Participants showcased a range of innovative projects that directly addressed real-world railway challenges. Notable projects included:

  • Railway Wind and Snow Disaster Early Warning and Response System: This system provides real-time monitoring and early warnings for railway operations under adverse weather conditions, enhancing safety and efficiency.
  • Automated Barrier-Free Platform System: Designed to improve accessibility for passengers with disabilities, this intelligent platform solution optimizes barrier-free services in railway transportation.
  • Contact Network Arc Intelligent Monitoring System: Employing vision and sensor technologies, this system offers an intelligent solution for railway equipment maintenance, significantly improving efficiency and accuracy.
  • AI-Powered Real-time Rail Defect Detection: Using AI models to analyze rail conditions in real-time for enhanced safety monitoring.
  • Smoke Purification Device for Trains: Improving air quality within train cabins for a more comfortable passenger experience.
  • Vibration-Based Railway Construction Personnel Monitoring: Employing vibration wave technology to monitor the dynamic changes in construction environments and enhance worker safety.
  • Real-time Monitoring of Load Distribution in Freight Trains: Ensuring the smooth operation and safety of freight trains by monitoring load distribution during transit.
  • Computer Vision-Based Pantograph Modal Analysis: Optimizing pantograph monitoring through visual technology to improve the efficiency of electrified railway operations.

The hackathon underscores the vital connection between education, international collaboration, and industry development. Seeed Studio is proud to have been a part of this event and is committed to empowering young innovators to drive the digital transformation of the railway industry.

Congratulation to all participants for their hard work and creativity!

The post Seeed Studio at the 2nd UIC TrainRail Hackathon: Advancing Innovation in the Railway Industry appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

Seeed’s Ranger at MakerFaireShenzhen-China 2024

Recently in Shenzhen China, Dessap Loic one of our Seeed’s Rangers had the privilege of participating at Maker Faire Shenzhen held from November 16-17, selected by Chailo Maker Space, MakerFaire Shenzhen and Seeedstudio. He proudly exhibited RobotSave Education, Robotsave bot projects, and various related activities at the event.

 

RobotSave Education is a STEM-focused organisation committed to enhancing quality education and promoting community inclusion by: 

  • Hosting Free AI-IOT, STEM Robotics and drone workshops: By uniting future STEM leaders through dynamic collaborative national and international robotics competitions. Our mission is to highlight STEM education’s importance, excitement, and real-world application.
  • Providing Stem kits, and IoT tools: These kits empower young changemakers and innovators, equipping them with essential skills like critical thinking, creativity, confidence, and technological expertise to drive impactful change with Tech4Good initiatives. 
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Robotsave bot is an innovative farm bot designed to optimize agricultural processes. It uses advanced sensors to gather essential soil and weather data from Seeed’s Groove and SenseCap industrial sensors, which are transmitted via LoRaWAN for real-time analysis and actionable insights. Key features include:

  •  Predicting crop yield potential based on soil conditions and precise location,
  • Real-time fertility assessments with recommendations for water and natural fertilizer use.
  • Easy access to insights through a user-friendly mobile and PC application.

Showcasing Our Tools and Activities

At Maker Faire Shenzhen, we also demonstrated the tools and technologies that support our activities, including:

  • Seeed Studio SenseCap and Xiao series,
  • TmeEducation Arduino boards,
  • LoRaWan-based IoT projects, and workshops conducted in Cameroon and France.

A memorable Experience 

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We had the pleasure of meeting Seeed Studio’s Ceo Eric Pan, Alison Yang and Meilily li along with the other director manager. We also toured Seeed Studio’s prototyping factories and headquarters, receiving a warm and welcoming experience.

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We are deeply grateful to MakerFaireShenzhen, Digikey, Chaihuo Maker Space, Seeed Studio, Tmeeducation and Maker Faire Rome, Italy for their support, sponsorship, and the incredible opportunities they provided. Special thanks to everyone who visited our booth and engaged with our projects. 

It was truly an unforgettable experience!

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The post Seeed’s Ranger at MakerFaireShenzhen-China 2024 appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

Introducing the Smart Citizen Kit 2.3: An Open Source Tool for Environmental Monitoring

In recent years, the growing concern over environmental issues such as air pollution, climate change, and urbanization has led to a heightened awareness of the importance of monitoring our surroundings. With the advancement of technology and the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), individuals and communities now have the power to gather and analyze environmental data more easily than ever before. One innovative solution that embodies this shift is the Smart Citizen Kit by Fab Lab Barcelona, Seeed Studio, IAAC, and the European Commission. It is an open-source tool that allows anyone to monitor their environment, understand it, and contribute data through the Smart Citizen Platform. Since the launch of the first Smart Citizen Kit in 2012, Fab Lab Barcelona has been committed to empowering communities to better understand their surroundings by developing open tools for environmental monitoring.

Designed to empower citizen scientists, researchers, educators, and environmentally-conscious individuals, this comprehensive tool enables users to monitor various environmental parameters while providing a complete platform and tools to foster open data collection and community engagement. Smart Citizen provides a unique ecosystem of sensor kits, software platforms, and tools that enable communities to make sense of their environment and take action. 

Introducing the SCK2.3: More Advanced Than Ever

Seeed Studio and Fab Lab Barcelona proudly introduce the latest version of the Smart Citizen Kit: the SCK2.3. The new SCK collects environmental data more accurately and it’s easier to use. Likewise, it introduces new sensors and a more robust firmware loaded with features, while maintaining everything that made the previous versions great!

Key Features

  • Multi-Sensor Capabilities: The new SCK2.3 is compatible with the previous SCK2.1. It brings new sensors, more customization, and exciting features that allow anyone to accurately measure and collect better quality data, including UV readings, an improved PM sensor to better measure air quality, along with the classic sensors from the previous SCK2.1: temperature, humidity, noise and light pollution.
  • User-Friendly Interface: The SCK2.3 is designed to allow anyone to start measuring in no time, making it accessible for beginners, educators, and researchers alike. Its straightforward setup process and intuitive interface allow users to easily start collecting data without needing advanced technical skills.
  • Open Source Hardware with Customization Options: As with previous versions, the SCK2.3 is fully open source, allowing users to modify and customize its hardware and firmware,  tailoring the SCK to meet their specific needs. For example, users can add a diverse selection of new sensors to measure additional metrics for indoor and outdoor air quality, and water and soil measurements. In addition, Fab Lab Barcelona has a wide range of open-source designs that allow users to 3D print and build their enclosures, recycling them when they are done, and saving some industrial plastic manufacturing in the process.
  • Data Sharing and Visualization: Collected data can be uploaded to the Smart Citizen Platform, where users can visualize their findings through easy-to-read graphs. The Smart Citizen Platform is completely open for people to access, making it easy for anyone to play, experiment, and work with environmental data!
  • Various data-logging options: The SCK2.3 is designed to publish data using your home or office Wi-Fi and can store data in CSV format on a MicroSD. It also includes an internal memory to store more than a month’s worth of data in case the device loses its Wi-Fi connection. Data is published automatically when the connection is recovered.
  • Flexible Power Options: Similar to previous versions, the SCK2.3 can be powered via micro USB, and it also comes with a 2000mAh LiPo battery. The battery is meant to be a complete power option for short-term measurements (from days to a week) and a backup solution when the SCK is used for longer periods. It is also compatible with various other charging options, including battery packs, or solar panels for off-the-grid deployments.

Brought to Market by Fusion Co-Create Services

Since 2014, Seeed Studio has collaborated with Fab Lab Barcelona to promote the Smart Citizen Kit, making it more accessible for anyone to use. We’re proud to announce the latest SCK2.3, now available for Pre-order on our official store!

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!

Through our collaboration with Fab Lab Barcelona, we provided essential support in the following areas:

  • Help develop the prototype: Help develop the prototype and facilitate development by providing test units and custom parts to better improve the SCK2.3.
  • Components supply: Supply the necessary components for producing the Smart Citizen Kit.
  • Supply chain optimization: Optimize the supply chain locally to find the best suppliers and reduce costs.
  • Batch manufacturing: Commit to manufacturing to ensure that the kit is available in sufficient quantities for users.
  • Product launch: Understand the market and launch the product on our official website, making it easily accessible to the public.
  • Marketing support: Leverage our extensive marketing channels to promote the product, ensuring it reaches a wider audience. 
  • Unlocking potential: Help Fab Lab Barcelona understand where to go next, and explore potential synergies with Seeed products.

Pre-order Now

The Smart Citizen Kit 2.3 is now available for pre-order at our website for $149. If you want to support Smart Citizen, we’re also offering an early bird discount of 10% off. 

Use the code Smartcitizen to enjoy this exclusive discount NOW as it’s a limited offer that expires on December 20, 2024.

 

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

Useful Links

Last But Not Least: Meet Fab Lab Barcelona Team at Our Livestream

Tune in on December 20th when we will be hosting a livestream in collaboration with the Fab Lab Barcelona team to provide a more intuitive demonstration of how Smart Citizen works. Be the first to know the story behind the Smart Citizen Kit 2.3. This is also a great opportunity for you to ask them any questions you may have about the product!

Get a sneak peek into the development process and learn how Fusion Co-Create brought this product to life. 

The post Introducing the Smart Citizen Kit 2.3: An Open Source Tool for Environmental Monitoring appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

From Idea to Reality: Seeed and Flux.ai Speed Up Your Way to the Next Level!

As many of you know, Seeed has always been committed to providing makers with easy-to-use and innovative products, services, and solutions. Over the past year, our partnership with Flux.ai has grown stronger than ever! 

Mind-blowing! Check Out What We've Created

For developers, Flux and Seeed have created a streamlined path from concept to reality. As an AI-driven design tool, Flux accelerates the PCB design process, while Seeed Studio Fusion provides rapid prototyping-PCB manufacturing & assembly services

This partnership has already empowered developers to bring their innovative ideas to life. By combining our expertise, we’ve been able to deliver exceptional results and generate significant visibility for these projects.  You can check them on our organization page at Flux!

We hope that our small support will bring significant changes to the areas and causes in need. Inspired by these projects? You’ll love what’s coming next!

LED Remix: Design the Next Generation

In order to invite more developers to co-create with us, we kickstart a campaign called LED Remix: Design the Next Generation!

ℹ How to Apply?

Step 1: Please fill out the form to submit your bravo project!

         🌟 Each participant is limited to two PCBA boards 100% completely FREE for one design, including PCB fabrication, the cost of parts, assembly, and shipping.

         🌟 Free usage of Flux.ai for 2 months

The project must include a LED design and a Xiao module, and use Flux.ai as the design tool❗

Step 2: After submitting your application, our team will promptly assess your design. Kindly await our team’s contact.

📅 Duration: 12th Dec. 2024- 12th Mar. 2025

By participating in this event, you agree to review your experience with us and allow us to share it and the design with the community on our social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, blog, etc.).

ℹ If you’re currently short on ideas, don’t worry, we’re here to help!  

To provide you with some inspiration, we’ve invited Goku to design two mother projects below, which are designed by Flux.ai and manufactured at Seeed Studio Fusion

Feel free to build upon these projects and create your unique designs!🙌✊

It’s inspired by the character Destined One from “Black Myth: Wukong.” For this project, Goku uses 37 tiny pixel LEDs along with the Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-C3 microcontroller, which will program with WLED.

➡Clone at Flux: https://www.flux.ai/gokux/black-myth-wukong

➡Detailed Tutorial: https://www.instructables.com/Lets-Make-a-Black-Myth-Wukong-LED-Art-PCB/

Ready to turn your Xiao ESP32-S3 into a smart lighting controller? WLED is the perfect tool for the job. This open-source web server lets you control both digital and analog LED strips, and even integrate with smart home platforms like Alexa and Google Assistant. Let’s get started!

➡Clone at Flux: https://www.flux.ai/seeedstudio/wled-rgb-led-driverp

➡Detailed Tutorial: https://www.instructables.com/WLED-ON-XIAO-ESP32/

Tips: You can find most of the components needed at Flux. If there are any questions during the design process, you can ask for help using the co-pilot. You can also go to Goku’s project file to view his designs, and it is possible to clone his project and make your own changes. We are ready to illuminate and spread your ideas coupled with projects anytime!​

Combining Flux’s AI-driven Auto-Layout with Seeed’s example projects makes it easy to create something uniquely yours quickly. Here’s how you can do it:
  • Step 1: Clone the Project
    • Start with a Seeed example project in Flux to avoid designing from scratch.
  • Step 2: Customize the Design
    • Use Flux’s editor and part library to customize the design, swap components, or add new functionality.
  • Step 3: Run the Auto-Layout
    • Let Flux’s AI optimize the placement and routing of components, ensuring your design is manufacturable and ready to go.

Auto-Layout uses AI to optimize component placement and routing while considering your design constraints. This ensures the layout is both functional and ready for manufacturing. Whether you’re adjusting an LED configuration or refining a component layout, Auto-Layout simplifies the process, allowing you to focus on your design.

Scale up your Creation with Seeed Studio Co-Create Program!

We will invite well-received LED Remix projects to the Seeed Studio Co-Create Program, where your products can be listed, sold and shipped directly by Seeed on the Seeed Studio Bazaar. We will also support designers to reach thousands of like-minded customers and distributors with Seeed’s global sales channels and social media presence.

Don’t hesitate! It’s a great chance to show off your ideas and skills. Join and fuel your passion now!

The post From Idea to Reality: Seeed and Flux.ai Speed Up Your Way to the Next Level! appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

Matter vs Zigbee vs Thread: Which Is the Best Choice for Your Smart Home?

Matter vs Zigbee vs Thread

With the rapid growth of the smart home market, devices and brands are becoming increasingly diverse. The key to an efficient and seamless smart home experience lies in how these devices communicate effectively and reliably. Among the many communication protocols, Matter, Zigbee, and Thread are the current mainstream options.

It’s important to understand the distinction between protocols and standards in this context. Communication protocols are the underlying technical specifications that define how devices communicate with each other. They outline the rules, formats, and procedures for data exchange. In contrast, standards provide a common framework to ensure interoperability between devices, often by leveraging one or more underlying protocols.

This article will introduce Matter, Zigbee, and Thread, three key technology options in the smart home domain. Matter is an emerging communication standard, while Zigbee and Thread are underlying communication protocols. We will delve into their respective characteristics and provide recommendations for your selection.

Core Parameter Comparison: Matter, Zigbee, and Thread

This table highlights the key differences between Matter, Zigbee, and Thread. It’s worth noting that Zigbee and Thread are underlying communication protocols, while Matter is a cross-platform standard that can utilize technologies like Thread and Wi-Fi.

Key Factors Zigbee Thread Matter
Protocol Base IEEE 802.15.4 (Low Power, Mesh Network) IPv6 (Low Power, Mesh Network) Relies on Thread, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet for transport
Network Topology Mesh Mesh Mesh
Internet Integration Requires a bridge for IP communication Requires a border router for internet and cloud integration Uses Thread and Wi-Fi for internet and cloud integration
Latency Moderate Low Low
Security AES-128 encryption, Zigbee Alliance standards Self-healing Mesh Network, IPv6 authentication Enhanced device authentication, encryption, and privacy protection
Market Adoption High—widely used in traditional smart home devices Growing—gaining traction in IoT devices Emerging—strong cross-platform compatibility and rapid adoption
Power Consumption Low Extremely low Varies by protocol base

Zigbee: The Classic Choice for Traditional Smart Home Devices

Zigbee is a mature wireless communication protocol designed for applications requiring low power and low data transmission. It is based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard and typically operates in the 2.4 GHz band. In some regions, it also supports 868 MHz (Europe) and 915 MHz (US) frequencies, making it versatile for various use cases.

 

Advantages of Zigbee

  • Low Power Consumption: Extends device battery life, making it ideal for sensors, lighting, and other long-running devices.
  • Mesh Networking: Allows devices to relay signals to each other, ensuring wide coverage and reliable connectivity.
  • Strong Security: Utilizes AES-128 encryption to safeguard data communication.

 

Use Cases

  • Suitable for small local networks within a home, without complex internet integration.
  • Ideal for users who already own a significant number of Zigbee devices.

 

Recommended Devices:

Thread: The Communication Protocol for the Future

Thread is a next-generation wireless protocol backed by tech giants like Google, Apple, and Amazon. Built on IPv6, it provides efficient internet connectivity for smart home and IoT devices while supporting self-healing Mesh networks.

 

Advantages of Thread

  • Low Latency, High Reliability: Performs well in real-time applications such as voice assistants and live monitoring.
  • Self-Healing Mesh Network: Automatically reroutes signals in case of device failure, ensuring network stability.
  • IPv6-Based Local Network: Enables seamless device-to-device communication within a local area network. However, internet access requires a border router.

 

Use Cases

  • Suitable for fast-response applications, such as smart speakers and smart locks, that require stable and low-latency communication.
  • Ideal for building localized smart home networks where reliability and security are priorities.

 

Recommended Devices

Matter: The Future of Cross-Platform Smart Homes

Matter, developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), aims to solve compatibility issues among smart home devices with a unified standard. It not only supports Thread but is also compatible with Wi-Fi and Ethernet, enabling seamless cross-brand collaboration.

 

Advantages of Matter

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Allows devices from different brands to interoperate effortlessly.
  • Enhanced Security: Features upgraded device authentication and encryption mechanisms for privacy protection.
  • Simplified Setup: Reduces connection and configuration complexity with standardized protocols.

 

Use Cases

  • Perfect for building smart home ecosystems that integrate devices from multiple brands, enabling unified control through Matter.
  • Ideal for developers creating smart devices like lighting systems or smart plugs that seamlessly operate across platforms (e.g., Google Nest, Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa).

 

Recommended Devices

  • Seeed Studio XIAO MG24:A compact, low-power microcontroller for Matter over Thread and BLE. Ideal for battery-operated IoT devices.
  • Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32 Series:
    • Models: XIAO ESP32C3, XIAO ESP32S3, and XIAO ESP32C6.
    • Based on Espressif’s ESP-IDF (IoT Development Framework), the XIAO ESP32 Series supports Matter device development using robust ESP32 microcontrollers. This series is optimized for IoT development and provides a powerful platform for exploring Matter’s potential. Perfect for developers aiming to create Matter-enabled devices leveraging Wi-Fi, BLE, or Thread capabilities while enjoying the flexibility of ESP-IDF.

How to Choose: Zigbee, Thread, or Matter?

  • Choose Zigbee:
    • If you already own many Zigbee devices and don’t need internet integration.
    • Perfect for smart lighting systems or a home sensor network where devices communicate directly within a closed local environment.
  • Choose Thread:
    • If you need low-latency, highly reliable devices connected directly to the internet.
    • Ideal for smart locks, real-time cameras, or voice assistants requiring fast responses and stable communication.
  • Choose Matter:
    • If you need a future-proof, cross-platform solution with seamless integration.
    • Best for those building a smart home ecosystem from scratch or looking to unify devices from different manufacturers under one protocol.

Future Trends: Will Matter Become the Mainstream?

With growing support from tech giants like Google, Apple, and Amazon, Matter’s ecosystem is expanding rapidly. While Matter’s cross-platform compatibility is a significant advantage, Zigbee and Thread’s established ecosystems will continue to play vital roles in specific scenarios. In the future, these three protocols may coexist, excelling in different applications.

Summary

  • Zigbee: Ideal for traditional smart home devices with low power consumption and high stability.
  • Thread: A modern, IP-compatible solution suitable for IoT applications.
  • Matter: The future standard for solving compatibility issues across platforms.

 

In summary, Zigbee and Thread are underlying communication protocols, while Matter is a higher-level interoperability standard. In practical applications, we need to choose the appropriate underlying protocol based on specific requirements and ensure it supports the Matter standard, in order to achieve a cross-brand smart home ecosystem.

Visit Seeed Studio Bazaar now to explore high-quality hardware supporting Matter, Zigbee, and Thread, and build your ideal smart home effortlessly!

The post Matter vs Zigbee vs Thread: Which Is the Best Choice for Your Smart Home? appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

All You Need to Know About Meshtastic

What Is Meshtastic?

Meshtastic is an open-source project that leverages LoRa, a long-range radio protocol that is widely available in most regions and does not require additional licenses or certifications, unlike HAM radio. Utilizing inexpensive LoRa radios, Meshtastic provides a FREE, long-range, off-grid communication solution for areas without reliable or existing communication infrastructure.

In a simpler way, Meshtastic is a free and easy-to-use tool that lets you send messages without internet or mobile networks. It connects small, specialized devices to create a network where you can communicate over long distances, making it perfect for outdoor adventures, emergencies, or communication in remote areas. You can share short text messages, GPS locations, and even voice messages (coming soon) with others. It’s easy to set up, works on various devices, and has a supportive community if you need help.

what is meshtastic

(Image credit: meshtastic.org)

What Can Meshtastic Do?

In today’s tech-focused world, it’s hard to picture a day without a steady network connection. But if you’ve ever gone hiking in a remote area and lost signal, or attended a big event where the network was too crowded to use, you know the struggle. During natural disasters like typhoons or floods, communication networks might fail, making it tough to call for help or connect with loved ones. I hope you don’t face these challenges, but it’s worth thinking about potential solutions if you do. What would you want to have in place?

This is where Meshtastic comes into play, offering a potential Plan A for those rare yet crucial instances: an emergency response solution.

Why Meshtastic?

There are also many other options, such as the more well-known LoRa-based solutions like LoRaWAN® and Sidewalk, or the commonly used 4G/5G, and even Starlink developed by SpaceX. So, why Meshtastic?

Differences Between LoRaWAN®, Sidewalk, and Meshtastic

As shown below, I have listed the biggest differences between the three. Meshtastic is decentralized and doesn’t require gateways, making it better suited for flexible, independent, peer-to-peer communication scenarios, while LoRaWAN®is ideal for large-scale, centrally managed IoT applications. Amazon Sidewalk, is designed to extend the connectivity range of smart home devices using low-power, community-based networking.

LoRaWAN vs Sidewalk vs Meshtastic

Differences Between 4G/5G and Meshtastic

Most of us rely on 4G/5G networks in our daily lives, so how does Meshtastic compare to them? The main differences are outlined below. Simply put, Meshtastic is ideal for situations where there is no cellular signal, no infrastructure, or limited power availability, such as outdoor activities, survival scenarios, or rescue operations. On the other hand, cellular network coverage is primarily concentrated in areas with high levels of human activity, such as cities and urban regions.

4G/5G VS Meshtastic

Differences Between Starlink and Meshtastic

Starlink and Meshtastic are two different communication solutions, each with its own strengths. Starlink is ideal for those who need constant online connectivity and high-speed internet access, even in remote areas. However, if you need a more affordable, portable solution for offline communication, especially when power and infrastructure are limited, Meshtastic is the better choice.

Last but not least, Meshtastic is free to use—once you purchase a compatible device, you can start enjoying the free mesh network with your friends!

Starlink VS Meshtastic

Typical Meshtastic Applications

So, what are the typical applications of Meshtatsic? Here are some common usages shared by passionate community members on Reddit about “What do you use Meshtastic for?”.

  1. calinet6: “Making new friends nearby who are equally nerdy by virtue of opting into this.”
  2. Jcw122: “‘Talking’ with friends at big festivals”
  3. spotcheck001: “We use it for family to communicate when we camp. Works out great.”
  4. Stroniu44: “Combined with ATAK to localise and communicate during exercise with other tanks from my platoon, especially exchange kmz data”
  5. jp_bennett: “Vehicle tracking across town, as well as emergency comms for emergency situations.”
  6. AnderlAnduel: “I share weather station data between home automation sytems with my neighbors (mqtt2mqtt bridge). This way we are independent of Internet services.”

What they’re sharing are exactly the applications that I suggest you to start your Meshtastic journey.

Outdoor Adventures

Whether you enjoy hiking, camping, survival skills, mountaineering, cycling, off-road driving, or skiing, it’s common to encounter areas with no 4G/5G during these outdoor activities. Using Meshtastic allows team members to stay in touch all the time during outdoor adventures, even in remote areas.

remote outdoor adventures

Crowded Events and Festivals

If you love big events like Burning Man, Coachella, or Midi Music Festival, you’ve probably dealt with weak signals and lost connections because of overloaded networks. With Meshtastic, you can easily and affordably create a portable, reliable, and self-controlled network infrastructure to stay connected with friends.

crowded festivals and events

Search and Rescue

When disasters strike and signal or power infrastructure fails, Meshtastic can be a vital tool for emergency response, supporting search and rescue operations. A Meshtastic tracker, capable of precisely identifying the location of those in distress and maintaining communication with them, is an excellent choice for equipping rescue teams or ensuring everyday emergency preparedness.

emergency response

Meshtastic Limitations

Text messages only at the moment: Meshtastic uses LoRa, which focuses on long-range and low power. This limits bandwidth, so it can only send text—no images, videos, or large files.

Short messages: You can only send messages with 228 characters or fewer due to LoRa’s packet size limit, which isn’t enough for detailed or complex information.

For those new to Meshtastic, a common question is how to select the right product from the wide range of Meshtastic-compatible options, which include everything from development boards to ready-to-use devices. In the following, I will share some of the most popular Meshtastic devices with you.

Popular Meshtastic-compatible Products: A Comparison

Different products excel in different scenarios. To help you find the best fit, I’ve put together some simple recommendations based on popular products and their ideal use cases. I hope you find this helpful!

Suitable for the Beginning of Building a Mesh Network

– DIY enthusiasts, smart home, smart city

A mesh network allows for decentralized, long-range communication between devices without relying on cellular networks. For those just starting, it’s essential to select devices that are easy to use, flexible, and expandable for various applications. Here are some great starter kits that are ideal for beginners who want to build their first mesh network.

Recommended Devices:

1. The smallest and most affordable option for Meshtastic applications: XIAO ESP32S3 & Wio-SX262 Kit for Meshtastic $9.9

Seeed XIAO ESP32S3 & Wio-SX1262 Kit for Meshtastic

Features:

  • Affordable: A budget-friendly option to kickstart your Meshtastic journey.
  • Compact & Powerful: Small but mighty, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for IoT applications.
  • Expandable: Easy to add temperature, GPS, and other Grove modules to apply to your home, garden, or any other scenarios.

Considerations:

  • No enclosure: Requires some assembly and case installation before use, making it less plug-and-play than other devices.

2. The most affordable option with an onboard screen: Heltec LoRa 32 V3

Heltec V3

Features:

  • Easy to Start: Fully functioned, and well-documented, simple for beginners.
  • Onboard Screen: The built-in display provides real-time feedback and interactive communication.

Considerations:

  • No GPS: May not suit applications needing location tracking.
  • Limited Customization: Less flexibility for adding extra sensors or modules.
  • Limited Processing Power: While great for mesh networking, it may not support complex applications without additional peripherals or optimizations.

3. A versatile, solar-powered starter kit with expandable modules: RAK WisBlock Meshtastic Starter Kit

RAK Starter Kit

Features:

  • Solar Panel Support: Ideal for outdoor use, ensuring continuous operation without frequent battery recharges.
  • Highly Expandable: Can be connected to a variety of modules to monitor various environmental factors.

Considerations:

  • Basic Coding Skills Required: You may need some basic coding experience to get the most out of it. However, tutorials and documentation can help guide you.
  • No Enclosure Included: Requires some assembly and case installation before use.

4. A go-to device with a 18650 battery holder: T-Beam

T-Beam

Features:

  • Easily Powered: Equipped with a 18650 battery holder, compatible with any standard rechargeable 18650 battery
  • Optional OLED Combination: Pre-soldered and separated OLED for your choice.

Considerations:

  • Limited Customization: Less flexibility for adding extra sensors or modules.
  • No Enclosure Included: Requires some assembly and case installation before use.

Suitable for Remote Outdoor Activities

– Outdoor Activities, Remote Parties, Hiking, Backpacking, and Wilderness Exploration

When outdoor activities or exploring remote areas, staying connected and tracking your location is important for safety and coordination. However, cellular coverage is often lacking in these remote areas. The following devices are ideal for maintaining communication and location tracking over long distances without relying on cellular signals, also, having a case and small size are important.

Recommended Devices:

1. The world’s first IP65-Rated Meshtastic device: SenseCAP Card Tracker T1000-E

Seeed SenseCAP Card Tracker T1000-E for Meshtastic, Meshtastic Tracker

Features:

  • Compact and Portable: Lightweight and easy to carry, making it perfect for long hikes and outdoor adventures.
  • IP65 Waterproof Rating: Withstands rain, dust, and harsh weather conditions.
  • Built-in GPS: Provides precise location tracking, essential for navigation in remote areas.
  • Built-in Sensors: Built-in Temperature, Light, and 3-Axis Accelerometer.

Considerations:

  • No Screen: Unable to display messages directly on the device; messages must be checked through connected devices or apps.
  • Limited Scalability: Cannot be easily expanded with additional sensors or modules for customized applications.

2. A standalone device with a touchscreen, keyboard, and long battery life: T-Deck Plus

T-Deck Plus

Features:

  • Fully Functional Engineering Platform: Features a 2.8″ IPS touchscreen, keyboard, microphone, and speaker, offering versatile functionality similar to a mobile device.
  • Long Battery Life: Powered by a 2000mAh battery, ideal for extended trips with frequent communication needs.

Considerations:

  • Bulkier Design: Larger and heavier than other models, which may affect portability, particularly on long treks.
  • Price side: The price is relatively higher than other products.

Suitable for Search and Emergencies

– Power outages, natural disasters, emergencies

When disaster strikes, traditional communication and power infrastructure can often collapse, leaving rescue teams and those affected without means to communicate. Whether for search and rescue operations, disaster relief coordination, or daily emergency preparedness, these devices provide an effective way to stay connected when traditional networks fail.

Recommended Devices:

1. The world’s first IP65-Rated Meshtastic device with built-in GPS: SenseCAP Card Tracker T1000-E

Seeed SenseCAP Card Tracker T1000-E for Meshtastic, Meshtastic Tracker

Features:

  • Compact and Portable: The T1000-E is lightweight and easy to carry, whether it’s on a search mission or during daily emergency preparedness.
  • GPS Integration: Integrated GPS tracking allows both rescuers and those needing assistance to be located accurately.
  • IP65 Waterproof Rating: This makes it resistant to harsh weather conditions, including rain, dust, and snow, ensuring that it continues to operate reliably in the field.

Considerations:

  • No Screen: Unable to display messages directly on the device; messages must be checked through connected devices or apps.

2. A device with an attractive enclosure that supports multiple RF technologies: T-Echo

T-echo

Features:

  • Low Power Consumption: With a power efficiency and reliability nRF52840 chip.
  • Multi Wireless Connectivity: Support BLE5.0, Bluetooth Mesh, ANT, Zigbee,NFC.
  • Backlit E-Ink Screen: Providing excellent outdoor readability in bright sunlight and ensuring that critical messages and information can be easily accessed in the field.
  • GPS integration: Allowing for real-time tracking of both rescuers and people in distress.

Considerations:

  • Limited Customization: If you’re looking for more flexibility or future expansion, other devices might offer more modularity.
  • No Wi-Fi: It may limit your application in MQTT or other areas.

Suitable for Aviation Usage/SoftRF

If you are also an enthusiast of other projects like SoftRF, APRS, and so on, the following devices can support you in exploring diverse experiences.

For example, SoftRF is an open-source collision avoidance solution for aircraft. The following devices can receive and transmit aviation signals to help pilots understand surrounding traffic information and improve flight safety.

Recommended Devices:

  • SenseCAP T1000-E
  • T-Echo
  • T-Beam

For more product details, you can check out the Google Doc or simply refer to the image below.

meshtastic devices comparison

While many excellent Meshtastic-compatible products are available on the market, the ones listed above are perfect for beginners. They offer a friendly introduction to Meshtastic, and you can always explore more options on the official Meshtastic website here.

About Frequency

When choosing a Meshtastic-compatible product, make sure to select the one that supports the frequency band for your region. Below are some personal points for your reference:

  1. Local regulations and frequency restrictions: Different countries or regions allow different frequency bands. Common bands include 433MHz, 868MHz (Europe), and 915MHz (USA and some other regions). Check your local regulations before buying.
  2. Usage scenario: Lower frequencies (like 433MHz) offer better range and penetration but slower speeds. Higher frequencies (like 915MHz) provide faster data transfer but shorter range.
  3. Device compatibility: Ensure the device and module are compatible with the frequency band you need, as some devices only support specific frequencies.

Always check the product specifications and follow local laws to avoid using restricted frequencies.

About Antenna

Antennas play a vital role in Meshtastic devices, though I won’t go into too much detail here. In short, they can be categorized into three types: onboard, rod, and fiberglass. Onboard and rod antennas typically provide a communication range of 2-5 km, making them well-suited for portable nodes. Fiberglass antennas, by contrast, offer a longer range of 5-10 km, making them more appropriate for base stations or fixed nodes. The choice of antenna should be tailored to the specific device and use case.

Some Useful Resources

Here are some resources I believe will help you better understand Meshtastic that I want to share with you:

Article/Blog/Community Posts:

  1. Official Documentation: Everything about Meshtastic, including an intro, supported devices, software, etc.
  2. Reddit Explanation: A beginner-friendly explanation of Meshtastic by the community.
  3. Top Meshtastic Devices: A Comprehensive Guide by Adrelien: Reviews of popular Meshtastic devices like Seeed Studio SenseCAP Card Tracker T1000-E, RAK WisBlock Meshtastic Starter Kit, Heltec LoRa 32 V3, LILYGO T-Echo, LILYGO T-Beam.
  4. A Basic Guide to Meshtastic by Mike Oplinger: A fun and straightforward guide to LoRa, Meshtastic, and setup tips.

Videos:

  1. What Is Meshtastic by Ben Meadors: Lead developer of Meshtastic Ben Meadors explains Meshtastic.
  2. A Whole Getting Started Guide by The Comms Channel: A YouTube playlist covering getting started, device reviews, antenna testing, and more.

FAQs for New Meshtastic Users

1. Do I need technical knowledge to use Meshtastic?

No, anyone can use Meshtastic. A basic understanding of wireless communication, hardware devices, or open-source projects can help but is not required. New users can easily learn from the documentation provided.

2. Is Meshtastic free?

Yes, Meshtastic is a free and open-source project. You only need to buy Meshtastic-powered hardware devices. Software, firmware, and official documentation are all free. If you enjoy using Meshtastic, you can support the developers by making a donation.

3. Which operating systems are supported by Meshtastic apps?

Meshtastic provides official applications for Android and iOS etc. You can download the apps here.

4. What hardware devices are supported by Meshtastic?

Check the current list of supported devices on the official website. For the latest product releases, check popular vendors such as Seeed Studio, RAK, Heltec, and Lilygo.

5. Can Meshtastic send pictures or large files?

No, Meshtastic is not suitable for large data transmissions like images, videos, or files due to LoRa’s low bandwidth (a few hundred bytes per second). It is designed for short text messages and simple data transmission.

6. What is the communication range of Meshtastic?

The communication range depends on the environment and hardware configuration:

  • Urban areas (with obstacles): 1-5 km
  • Open areas (e.g., outdoors): Up to 10 km or more

By using the mesh network, the range can be extended by relaying messages through intermediate nodes.

7. Why can’t my devices communicate with each other?

Common reasons for communication issues include:

  • Differing channel settings (channel name and encryption key must match).
  • Devices are out of range (exceeded LoRa signal coverage).
  • Hardware connection issues (e.g., antenna misinstallation).
  • Firmware version incompatibility (ensure all devices use the same version).

8. How does the Meshtastic mesh network work?

Meshtastic uses a Mesh Network (LoRa-based), where every device(also called node) acts as both a transmitter and a repeater. Messages are automatically routed through multiple nodes until they reach their destination. Even if a node is out of direct communication range, other nodes in the mesh can relay messages and extend the coverage.

9. Where can I view official FAQs?

You can find the official FAQs here.

10. Where can I find help?

For support and community interaction, check the following:

Other recommended communities include:

The post All You Need to Know About Meshtastic appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

Introducing Seeed Studio 2-Channel AC Wi-Fi Relay: A Home Assistant Native Switch with Power Metering Based on XIAO ESP32C3

By: Lily

Our Seeed Studio XIAO ecosystem has been growing steadily with tap-on accessories like Grove Expansion Boards, Sensors, Connectivity Modules, and Actuators to complement our thumb-sized dev boards. But one thing kept coming up in our XIAO Open Roadmap – you wanted more relays! Well, we heard you, and here’s our answer: the new Seeed Studio 2-Channel AC Wi-Fi Relay.

Powered by our thumb-sized XIAO ESP32C3, this Home Assistant-native relay device lets you control two independent 100-240V AC loads – perfect for lights, appliances, and motorized facilities. We’ve pre-flashed it with ESPHome firmware and built in a power meter, so you can track both real-time and historical power consumption right from your Home Assistant dashboard. 

All the above-mentioned features make it particularly suited for applications that need both remote control and power monitoring of household electrical devices through a smart home automation system.

Want to know what’s under the hood? We’ve packed in two 10A/250VAC high-power latching relays (HF3F-L), giving you control over two loads on a 50-60 Hz AC carrier signal. Here’s a sneak peek at the internals – and don’t worry, we’ll be open-sourcing all schematics on our Wiki soon!

Ready to get your hands on one? The Seeed Studio 2-Channel AC Wi-Fi Relay is available for pre-order at our Bazaar webstore for just $19.90. Shipping starts in early January 2025, and it’ll also be available on our AliExpress and Amazon stores.

Oh, and one more thing! The relay comes in a white 3D-printed enclosure (which you can download and customize from Thingiverse for free). And for all you makers and developers who want to DIY with your existing XIAO boards – stay tuned! We’re working on a universal Relay Add-on that’ll be compatible with all XIAO dev 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 Introducing Seeed Studio 2-Channel AC Wi-Fi Relay: A Home Assistant Native Switch with Power Metering Based on XIAO ESP32C3 appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

Seeed’s Ranger at MakerFaireRome-Italy Europeans Edition 2024

Recently in Italy, Dessap Loic one of our Seeed’s Rangers, was selected by MakerFaire Rome to showcase his project Robotsave bot and its various activities from  October 25-27, 2024. 

Maker Faire Rome the European Edition #MFR2024 is a large event that regroups makers from all around the world who share in common, imagination and creativity that becomes a reality, making innovation simple by showcasing various projects in electronics, artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual and augmented reality, gaming, music, art, education and much more

Robotsave is an innovative farm bot embedded with advanced sensors that collect essential soil and weather data. These sensor data are transmitted via LoRaWan to a server for quick analysis and predictions.

The system provides valuable insights into crop yield potential based on specific soil conditions and the precise locations or areas.

It also delivers real-time fertility assessments, recommending optimal water requirements and suitable natural fertilisers, all accessible through an intuitive mobile and Pc application.  

In addition to RobotSave, he showcased the TmeEducation Arduino board, Seeed Studio SenseCap series, XIAO series, Vison AI and various STEM activities, IoT projects, and workshops we are conducting in Cameroon.

photo_2024-12-06_14-36-32
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Violet Su was present to assist by performing a live demonstration of the Xiao esp32 Ai vision together with SensCap watcher, she also SeeedStudio’s various products and Academic support,

It was such an amazing opportunity and beautiful experience to be selected to exhibit our project among more than 100 exhibitors with other tech gadgets at Maker Faire Rome.

We had such amazing feedback and made new contacts with visitors and other exhibitors who would like to test our product for their projects.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Makerfaire Rome-The European Edition, Seeed Studio, TmeEducation,  Alison Yang and Robotsave Education for their support, sponsorship, and the opportunity they provided. A special thanks to all the visitors who stopped by my booth, Q9

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photo_2024-12-06_12-49-58

The post Seeed’s Ranger at MakerFaireRome-Italy Europeans Edition 2024 appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

Seeed Monthly Wrap Up for November 2024: Enchant Everything with AI

By: Ellie Cai

Hey community,

 

Welcome to the latest Seeed Monthly for November 2024! This month, we will explore Enchant Everything with AI . How does AI seamlessly integrate into hardware and software solutions, enabling makers, developers, and innovators to bring their wildest ideas to life?

Boost your knowledge with 10 in-depth tech explorations offering expert insights, 3 weekly livestream recaps, and 7 product and service showcases. Stay updated with 12 highlights on Seeed’s latest news and events, and explore the vibrant open-source community with 11 inspiring projects that showcase the future of innovation.

📚 I. In-depth Feature & Tech Exploration

01. Tutorial of AI Kit with Raspberry Pi From Zero to Hero Portal Animation

Jumpstart your Raspberry Pi AI journey from basics to real-world deployment with our course – now available on GitHub! This course is designed to teach you how to harness the power of AI on the Raspberry Pi, with a particular focus on using an AI kit to perform essential computer vision tasks. Throughout the course, you’ll learn how to integrate AI into real-world IoT applications, from object detection and image classification to more complex visual recognition tasks. Check Out today.

02. Hardware Interface of reCamera

In this wiki, we introduce you to the various hardware interfaces of the reCamera, including Camera, Light, Mic&Speaker, WI-FI, SD Card and Uart (Debug). Find more details here.

03. ESP-NOW Protocol on XIAO Series


This Wiki will tell you what the ESP-NOW protocol is,and teach you how to use XIAO ESP32 Series to communicate using this protocol. Click for more.

04. SenseCAP Watcher: Firmware Architecture Overview

Introducing the software framework and development guidelines for the SenseCAP Watcher open source firmware, including “Build the Watcher Development Environment”, “Watcher Software Architecture”, “Watcher Function Module Development Guide”, and “Watcher UI Integration Guide”. Learn more

05. Seeed Studio XIAO MG24 Example – Matter

Matter operates efficiently over local networks, offering reliable, low-latency communication without needing internet access. This documentation will guide you through the steps to develop a Matter application on the XIAO MG24, using Arduino. Read more.

06. Pin Multiplexing with Seeed Studio XIAO MG24

The XIAO MG24 features up to 22 regular pins, 18 analog pins, 18 digital pins, 2 SPI, 2 UART, 2 I2C, and supports all PWM. It offers a rich variety of pins available for our use. In this wiki, we will teach you how to drive these pins, enabling us to utilize them effectively! Learn more.

07. Explore the power of Watcher + Open Interpreter

What if your hardware could understand and execute your voice commands effortlessly? Explore the power of Watcher-OI (Open Interpreter), a groundbreaking tutorial by luozhixin. Using our SenseCAP Watcher, this guide shows you how to set up a service that interprets English commands and performs actions on your computer. Check out today.

08. Seeed Studio XIAO RP2350 with Arduino

The Seeed Studio XIAO RP2350 board now supports programming via Arduino, thanks to the arduino-pico core. This guide will help you set up and begin using Arduino on your RP2350 board. Check out the tutorial now.

09. Single Channel Gateway – SenseCAP Indicator

This project demonstrates how to implement a single channel LoRa gateway using SenseCAP Indicator, which use XIAO ESP32S3 as host MCU and SX1262 LoRa radio and build up a LoRaWAN application on TTN. Upgrading the firmware offers a practical solution for those interested in delving into LoRa technology and establishing connections to LNS. Find out more.

10. From Data to Decisions: Master lloT Visualization with Open-Source Tools

In the Industrial IoT domain, data visualization enables data-driven decisions, transforming raw data into actionable insights. Interactive dashboards in Human-Machine Interfaces bridge the gap between users and production lines, fostering smooth connectivity.
With Raspberry Pi powered and Seeed Studio’s reTerminal DM, you can bring intelligence to the edge, creating an efficient, real-time data dashboard in hours! We’re excited to share some open-source tools for rapidly building interactive dashboards.
 Check out today.

🎬 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. Master AI with Raspberry Pi, Power Smart Retail Solutions

Feeling the Raspberry Pi AI buzz? Excited about its potential but unsure how to get started? We’ve created a perfect roadmap for you! Quick-start RPi configuration, hands-on AI framework mastery, and real-world model applications are all covered in one course! Watch the video.

02. Thanksgiving Feast: Deals & Giveaways You Can’t Miss!

This Thanksgiving, we’re serving up more than gratitude! Get ready for an exciting livestream packed with exclusive deals (up to 90% OFF), flash sales on our hottest products! We’re giving back to YOU—our amazing community—with limited-time offers you won’t want to miss. Watch the video. 

03. Meet the Makers from Maker Faire Shenzhen

Organized by ‪Chaihuo Makerspace‬, Maker Faire Shenzhen 2024 took place on November 16-17, 2024 at Vanke Design Commune, Nanshan, Shenzhen. Join David Groom (‪@ishotjrdotcom‬) and 程玮楠 as they walk you through some of the following highlights:

🔬 120+ exhibition booths showcasing cutting-edge tech applications including big names like Arm, NVIDIA Robotics, Raspberry Pi, Ultralytics, Seeed Studio
🎯 4 summit forums featuring insights from 30 industry leaders
🛠 23 hands-on workshops exploring emerging technologies
🌟 11 satellite events connecting innovation across the Greater Bay Area
💡 10 highlight projects demonstrating new tech-enabled interactions

Watch the full 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. Meet RS485 Breakout Board for XIAO, Extending Industrial Communication Range up to 1200m

We’re excited to announce the Seeed Studio RS-485 Breakout Board, a versatile RS-485 expansion designed specifically for all Seeed Studio XIAO development boards or Adafruit QT Py Boards. Equipped with the TP8485E transceiver IC, this breakout board efficiently converts UART serial streams to RS-485 signals. Read more here.

02. We Listen and Take Action: Your Feedback on NVIDIA Jetson Platform Matters

We’re committed to enhancing your experience with NVIDIA Jetson Edge devices. Whether you’re actively using Jetson platforms, exploring Seeed hardware, or have worked with them in the past, your insights are invaluable to us. We’d love to hear your feedback through a quick questionnaire. Submit your feedback here.

03. Connect reComputer R1000 to ThingsBoard

With ThingsBoard’s comprehensive loT solution enabling rapid device provisioning, data collection, visualization, and control, etc. and the reComputer R1000 adding a dynamic hardware layer, we’re pushing Industrial loT to new heights. lmagine hearing the hum of factory machinery.

Check out their work in this blog.

04. Just Launched: reComputer R11 – the most adaptable and cost-effective edge IoT gateway & controller in your equipment cabinets!

The latest Raspberry Pi edge IoT gateway and controller, reComputer R11, released! It perfectly balances price, performance, and power consumption, could be the most adaptable and cost-effective choice for system integrators and solution providers in automation, energy management, and industrial space. Read more here.

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

By deploying SenseCAP S1000 V2 10-in-1 Compact Weather Sensor and SenseCAP S2100 Data Logger, the team at Heliotics supported the city automating the fountain’s operation based on real-time weather data, ensuring optimal efficiency and resource conservation. This innovative solution demonstrates how IoT can modernize urban infrastructure and enhance sustainability efforts in smart cities. Read more.

06. Seeed Studio Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit available now on Amazon and Bazaar with limited time Early Bird Pricing! 

The Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit is an all-in-one solution for you to dive into the world of computing and electronics. It includes a Raspberry Pi 5 (available in 4GB/8GB RAM) along with all essential accessories to jumpstart Raspberry Pi projects. The kit is now available on Amazon and Bazaar with limited time Early Bird Pricing. Jumpstart your Raspberry Pi projects right now! Discover More.

07. Get Started with Indicator for Meshtastic

SenseCAP Indicator is a 4-inch touch screen driven by ESP32-S3 and RP2040 Dual-MCU. With the compatibility with Meshtastic, SenseCAP Indicator can be another game changer as your Meshtastic phone or you name it. 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. Maker Faire Shenzhen 2024: Enchant Everything with AI

From November 16th-17th, hosted by Chaihuo Makerspace and Seeed Studio, Maker Faire Shenzhen 2024 was successfully held at Vanke Cloud Design Commune in Nanshan, Shenzhen. The theme of the event is “Enchant Everything with AI”, which consists of Maker Forum, Maker Exhibition, Innovation Workshops, Satellite Events and other sections. The event gathered 120+ exhibitors from the world, and attracted professional visitors from nearly 20 countries and more than 20 provinces in China! Read the Recap Now.

02. Unleash Edge Computing with AWS IoT Greengrass on reComputer

Join us for an interactive workshop at AWS re:Invent 2024, as we walk you through deploying AWS IoT Greengrass on NVIDIA Jetson Orin edge AI devices (via the NVIDIA JetPack SDK), and using AWS IoT Core for cloud-to-edge orchestration. Register now.

03. OpenUC2 XIAO AI Microscope

Do you know community members in Africa used OpenUC2 Microscopy to detect malaria in the field? ICYDK, OpenUC2 10x AI Microscope is an open source microscope that is perfect for various scenarios including Environmental research, Field Research, Timelapse Imaging, Education and other applications! We are cooperating with the OpenUC2 team to combine our strengths to bring this product (and more) to the community through Seeed Studio Fusion CoCreate Services. Click here to learn more.

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

The Smart City Expo World Congress was a blast! We had a wonderful 3-day exhibition, meeting with our customers and partners.

𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝘀
1⃣ AI Sensors featuring low-power consumption, long-range communication, on-device AI models for detection, powered by Meshtastic, Semtech LoRa®, Arm, and Himax Technologies, Inc., etc.
2⃣ Edge AI gateways and controllers powered by Raspberry Pi for smart building and energy management;
3⃣ reThings series devices powered by NVIDIA Robotics Jetson supporting Llama, LLaVA, and VLA models to boost intelligence for robotics and multimodal interaction at the edge.

Find out more here.

05. Expanding Technological Horizons: AI Vision and Prototyping Workshops in Colombia

On November 13th and November 25th, Gabriel facilitated virtual workshops for senior-year students at the San José Educational Institution in Curumaní, Cesar. 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. More info.

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

Seeed Ranger Gabriel, in collaboration with the University of Manizales, led a program focused on training and developing technological solutions. This initiative culminated in an exciting Hackathon that brought together 96 students, entrepreneurs, research leaders, and professionals passionate about technology. Find out more.

07. MFSZ24 Hi Tour: Delve into the Magical World of Shenzhen Manufacturing

As a satellite event of MFSZ24, on Nov 18, Seeed Fusion Team organized a factory tour to explore the incredible capabilities of Shenzhen manufacturing. We visited a total of three factories – Seeed Agile Manufacturing Center, PCB manufacturing factory, and 3D printing& molding factory. It was heartwarming to see how much they enjoyed the tour. Watch the recap.

08. Join Seeed Studio Seminar at ROSCON 2024 in ShangHai, China

Join Seeed Studio seminar on 12/08/2024 at 11:00 AM to explore how this tiny and open-source AI camera – reCamera tackles computer vision tasks with ROS packages, which encapsulate into modules and connect to the superior robot control system, all for transmitting communication and processing results in ease! Register now.

09. Conference at the University of Nantes on the Method and Techniques of an Intelligent way of Collecting Data in Civil Engineering using IoT ​

At the Polytech Nantes in France, Dessap Loic, one of Seeed Studio’s Ranger, had the privilege to present during the Artificial Intelligence Earth Buildings Conference. Find out more.

10. 8 Business Solutions Built with LoRaWAN and Low-Code IoT Platform

We were excited to speak at a joint webinar, “8 Business Solutions Built with LoRaWAN and Low-Code IoT Platform,” hosted by Blynk and The Things Industries on November 21st. Our BD manager Violet Su presented our latest LoRaWAN solution with built-in Vision AI capabilities for efficient meter reading, person detection, people counting, object detection, and more. Watch the recap.

11. XIAO ESP32S3 Sense Workshop at the Catholic University of Luis Amigó, Manizales

In partnership with the University of Manizales and supported by companies Platzi, our Ranger Gabriel Giraldo led a program to help students explore tech solutions using XIAO ESP32S3 Sense and SenseCraft. More info.

12. Hacktober Recap, Workshop and Seminar for Open Source Community

Our Ranger Hendra Kusumah recaps an exciting October! From OSHWA to Pycon APAC 2024, our communities shared hands-on surprises and inspiring experiences. Wanna know more? Click here.

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

Let’s dive into two 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. Check it out.

 

02. Discover the power of DIY with the ReSpeaker Lite Voice Assistant Kit

ReSpeaker Lite Voice Assistant Kit offers unmatched voice recognition capabilities on a budget for your home automation. AguacaTEC’s guide walks you through each step, from setting up ESPHome to fine-tuning your assistant with dual-mic functionality and smart speaker integration. Find out more.

04. Replicating Apple Watch Feature using XIAO Board

Can a tiny microcontroller replicate the motion-detection magic of an Apple Watch? Techiesms dives into an incredible project using the XIAO nRF52840 Sense and Edge Impulse to track motion like walking, running, or standing idle—all powered by machine learning on the edge. No cloud, just pure edge ML brilliance! Watch the Video

05. Smart IoT Sensor built with XIAO ESP32C6

Check out BegoonLab’s Smart IoT Sensor, powered by our XIAO ESP32C6, bringing Wi-Fi, MQTT messaging, and environmental sensing to your smart home projects with top-notch power management! Learn more.

06. Performance Compare: XIAO RP2040 VS XIAO RP2350

Ever wondered how the XIAO RP2040 stacks up against the new XIAO RP2350? Carla Guo compares these boards’ performance using our Round Display for XIAO. Find out more.

07. How to use a 4-Color ePaper with GxEPD2 and XIAO

Explore the potential of ePaper technology with Profe Tolocka’s latest Hackster tutorial. Learn how to combine the GxEPD2 library with our XIAO RA4M1, ePaper Breakout Board for XIAO and 4-color ePaper display to create vibrant, text-rich, and graphics-capable displays. The tutorial covers library installation, coding essentials, and features of the our ePaper adapter, making it easier than ever to get started with XIAO boards. Check out now. 

08. TinyML Based Room Occupation Watcher

Is the meeting room already taken? With Hendra Kusumah’s “TinyML-Based Room Occupation Watcher,” you’ll know without making the trip! This smart device uses the our SenseCAP Watcher to detect room occupancy and share real-time updates over a network. Learn more.

09. ESP32-based digital photo frame with 7-color E-Paper/E-Ink

Discover how ThatProject brings a 7-color E-paper display to life with our XIAO ESP32-S3 and XIAO eInk Expansion Board for a digital frame that refreshes your favorite images throughout the day. Watch the video.

10. November Monthly Campaign to Scale Up Your AI Gadgets

We’re excited to announce the results of our November Monthly Campaign to Scale Up Your AI Gadgets! This month, we saw a fantastic variety of creative and innovative projects, and we’re proud to share the top three: Minichord by Benjamin Poilve received 1.2K likes, The Smallest DIY Camera Using XIAO ESP32S3 Sense by Nickson Kiprotich received 95 likes, BLE Data Glasses With XIAO Microcontroller by Markus Opitz received 40 likes. A huge thank you to everyone who voted! Explore more.

That’s all for today, thank you all for reading through the November 2024 Monthly Wrap-up in your spare time. 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 October 2024

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 November 2024: Enchant Everything with AI appeared first on Latest Open Tech From Seeed.

Conference at the University of Nantes on the Method and Techniques of an Intelligent way of Collecting Data in Civil Engineering using IoT ​

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Recently in October at the Polytech Nantes in France,  Dessap Loic one of our Seeed Studio’s Ranger had the privilege given by the GeM laboratory in the framework project of the CNRS #AI4EB led by Nantes University, University of Dschang-Cameroon and Centrale Nantes to present during the Conference: Artificial Intelligence Earth Buildings the Topic:

Methods and Techniques of an Intelligent Way to Collect Data in Civil Engineering using IoT, to explore innovative approaches for optimising Data gathering processes and the application of Artificial Intelligence,

He covered several key points, including:

  • Sensor implementation, Sensor Data Collection and Transfer using various modes of communication, which are  Wireless( Wifi, BLE, GSM, GPRS, 4G,5G, LoRaWan, LiFi etc) and wire(USB Serial, RG 45, RS4085, ADsl, Optical fibre, etc).  We demonstrated how to define and choose an appropriate architecture, incorporating an IoT network from the  LoRa Nodes (SenseCAP Industrial sensors from Seeed Studio) to the SenseCAP LoRa Gateway and Servers then to the end user (user interface).
  • Use Case projects: I presented practical applications such as crack measurement, tracking and bridge vibration monitoring, highlighting how IoT can provide real-time insights for infrastructure management.
  • AI-Driven Predictive Maintenance: I also showcased how artificial intelligence can be leveraged to predict and anticipate structural failures, optimize maintenance schedules, and enhance the longevity of civil engineering projects.
  • IoT projects are done in Cameroon and France:
    • In France, Caen: Neac Industry Setting up LoRaWan Network to collect sensor data and monitor an autonomous Navigation Electric shuffle Boat.*photo*
    • In Cameroon, Douala: KandaWeather Launching of Weather balloon Radio-Sonde and installation of SenseCAP Weather stations and Industrial Sensors to collect and provide decentralised weather data to predict the 12h rain forecasting to help farmers, Weather companies, and Air traffic controllers. 
    • In Cameroon, at the Enset University of Douala and Softpower.
  • He performed a demo showcasing SenseCAP industrial sensors and LoRa Gateway from Seeed Studio and TME Education Arduino board to measure and send environmental data over LoRaWan and visualise the data over the Internet through the Node-Red platform using MQTT protocol.

This experience has reinforced the significant potential that AI and IoT hold for transforming civil engineering and improving infrastructure resilience.

I am grateful to : Dr, Eng  Aurelle Tchagna, Ndoumin Serge, MattKlaus, Dr Nabil issaadi, Stephanie Bonnet and Researchers from GeM laboratory, Inchtech Sarl,

Conclusion:

By combining IoT’s data collection capabilities with AI’s predictive and analytical power, civil engineering is moving toward a future of smarter, safer, and more sustainable infrastructure. This synergy not only improves operational efficiency but also significantly reduces risks, costs, and environmental impacts.

Latest ekit news

Ekit Latest News

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

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!


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Expanding Technological Horizons: AI Vision and Prototyping Workshops in Colombia

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.

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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. 🚀

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

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

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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.

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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.

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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! 🚀

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Important Announcement: Free Shipping Policy Adjustment and Service Enhancements

By: Rachel

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!

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SenseCAP T1000-E: Available Now with Flexible Shipping Options

By: Rachel

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!

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:

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

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.

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