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June 23, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments

Armtronix AC Powered WiFi Quad Relay Board is Powered by ESP8266 SoC (Crowdfunding)

Armtronix, an Indian startup, has come to kickstarter to launch a quad relay board with an AC terminal based on ESP8266, and the company also offer a complete kit allowing you to build your own wireless power strip with the board. WiFi quad relay board specifications: Wireless module – ESP8266 module 4x Relays to connect four AC/DC loads with terminals offering both MO and NC options “ModeMCU” headers to connect additional sensors such as PIR, IR, Temperature, Humidity, Limit switch etc. USB – micro USB port for programming. Misc – LEDs Power Supply – Terminal with 100-240V AC to 5V DC converter. Dimensions – 145 x 60 x 22 mm. The WiFi Quad Relay Board can be programmed as “MQTT Client” for networking/home automation integration using Arduino IDE, and controlled/ setup with a smartphone running a web browser. Some code is already available on the company’s github account. The crowdfunding […]

May 31, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

Asus Zenbo Smart Home Robot is Looking for Developers

Asus introduced a $599 robot on wheel at Computer 2016. Asus Zenbo features a friendly face which can also be used as a touchscreen display, answer voice commands, take pictures on-demand, and can help you for all sort of task from reading recipes out loud, emergency calls if it detects an elderly person’s fall, to task reminders such as taking medicine, or going to a doctor’s appointment. The robot could also be used for all sort of home automation tasks so as turning on and off lights, so Asus also launched a developer program in order to get more applications leveraging the robot’s capabilities, including Android and web applications using speech recognition, facial recognition, indoor navigation, smart home protocols, etc… Few technical details have been provided so far though. The highlights of ASUS press event do show the robot in action, answering questions, moving around and taking photos. Via Liliputing […]

May 2, 2016August 29, 2018 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 5 Comments

Electrodragon WiFi IoT Relay Includes ESP8266 Module, AC Power, and Enclosure for $6

Thanks to ESP8266, the cost of WiFi relays has dramatically come down, but so far, I could not find an all-in-one solution with ESP8266, relay, AC power and enclosure, and for example I’m still using NodeMCU board, a relay board, a USB power supply, and put all that into a plastic jar in order to control a water pump. It works but it’s not ideal, and solutions like Wemos D1 mini with relay shield improves things further, but Electrodragon has come with a connect-and-play WiFi IoT relay that integrates everything including the case for $6 + shipping. Wifi IoT Relay Board Based on ESP8266: WiFi module – ESP-12F based on Espressif ESP8266EX WiSoC Relays – 2x Songle SRD-05VDC-SL-C relays supporting 125VAC/10A, 250VAC/10A, 30VDC/10A, 28VDC/10A Input/Output – 3x terminal blocks for relay and power Expansion – 12-pin header with Rx/Tx, GPIO4, Btn2, GPIO15, 5V/GND, ADC, GPIO5, Btn1, OUTPUT1, and 3V3 Debugging […]

April 29, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 8 Comments

The European Version of Orvibo Wiwo S20 Smart Socket Has Been Found to Pose a “Serious Risk”

Orvibo Wiwo S20 is a WiFi smart socket that can be controlled by a smartphone and some people are using it with OpenHAB open source automation software. The socket has four versions with with US, UK, EU or AU plug types, and some of my clever readers mentioned that the European plug was mot likely NOT compliant with European regulations, was likely dangerous, and should be limited to 2.5A instead of 10A. It turns out they were right, as the European commission issued a safety notice last declaring Orvibo Wiwo S20 to be dangerous with risk of electric shock. The document further explains: The shape of the socket is not correct: when a plug is inserted the live pins of the plug are accessible. Appliances which should be earthed can be connected to the socket but the socket itself is not earthed. The product does not comply with the requirements […]

April 28, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

Tibbo Project System is a Modular Linux IoT Prototyping Platform based on TI Sitara Cortex A8 Processor

If you’ve found yourself needing to quickly demo a system that does not look like a mess of wire to a customer, or your project is requires low production volumes, making the cost of designing your own and mass-producing the hardware prohibitive, Tibbo Project System might be worth looking into. It features an almost bare board powered by Texas Instruments Sitara processor, and a large area for Tibbit blocks to add features as needed, as well as an enclosure. Size 3 Linux Project PCB (LTPP3) specifications: SoC – Texas Instruments Sitara AM335x Cortex A8 processor up to 1.0 GHz System Memory – 512 MB DDR3 Storage – 512 MB NAND flash, 2KB EEPROM, optional micro SD slot Connectivity – 10/100M Ethernet (RJ45), optional WiFi (via LW1000 module) and GPRS connectivity (via Tibbit #47) Expansion – 51 I/Os: 7x tiles 14x sockets for Tibbit module including 4x with UART capability up […]

April 17, 2016April 17, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments

RTU-5025 GSM Relay Controller Supports Up to 64 Phone Numbers

We’ve already seem boxed WiFi and Bluetooth wireless relays that can be used to turn on and off appliances using a smartphones or web applications, but I’ve just been made aware that GSM relay controllers such as RTU 5025 could also be a good options since they allow for authentication using the mobile number, can be used with any phone, not only smartphones, and don’t cost anything to operate, beside the eventual maintenance cost of the SIM card inside the device, since the relay does not actually answer calls. It can also send an SMS to the owner each time the relay is activated, in which case the cost of SMS might have to be considered. RTU 5025 specifications and key features: Connectivity – GSM PHASE 2/2+@ 850/900/1800/1900 MHz with SIM card slot + GSM antenna Output Relay – 3A/240V Rated Voltage – 12V/1A Working Temperature – -10 to 60 […]

March 22, 2016August 7, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 12 Comments

Getting Started with Wemos D1 mini ESP8266 Board, DHT & Relay Shields

Wemos D1 mini is an ESP8266 board that’s interesting thanks to its size, its low price ($4), micro USB power, its shields, and a documentation that looks fairly good. The board can be programmed with Arduino or Lua, and supports both serial and OTA programming. I’ve decided to give it a try and bought the board together with two temperature shields, a relay shield, and micro SD shield. I got all for $ 14.00 from Wemos Aliexpress shop, and it took about one month for delivery. I can also see they’ve recently released a new OLED shield selling for about $5. All shields were shipped inside their own anti-static bags. The pins are clearly marked on both side of the board and the shields. One side of the board features ESP8266 module. and the other side has CH340 serial to USB chip, and the reset button. The provided headers make […]

March 13, 2016March 13, 2016 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 5 Comments

$100 Chuwi Ilife V5S Autonomous Robotic Vacuum Cleaner Offers an Alternative to iRobot Roomba

iRobot Roomba autonomous vacuum cleaners have been around since 2002, with the robots automatically cleaning the floor, detecting walls and edges, going around table and chair feet, etc… The company also produced iCreate 2 programmable robot for educators, students and developers who wants to learn about robotics, and works with Arduino and Raspberry Pi boards. I had seen similar cleaners from Chinese vendors in the past, with prices starting at $30, but they looked basically useless based on the specs, but yesterday I discovered Chuwi Ilife V5S robotic vacuum cleaner and mop that seems pretty decent, and even can go back to its charging station automatically. Chuwi Ilife V5S key features and specifications: Anti-collision System, drop avoidance induction 50db low noise design; 850pa strong suction Sensors – 10 IR sensor on sides and bottom, OBS (Optical backscatter point sensor) sensors, 1 set wall sensor. (Note: OBS is based on IR, […]