open source

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - 2 Comments on The SenseCAP Watcher is a voice-controlled, physical AI agent for LLM-based space monitoring (Crowdfunding)

The SenseCAP Watcher is a voice-controlled, physical AI agent for LLM-based space monitoring (Crowdfunding)

SenseCAP Watcher

Seeed Studio has launched a Kickstarter campaign for the SenseCAP Watcher, a physical AI agent capable of monitoring a space and taking actions based on events within that area. Described as the “world’s first Physical LLM Agent for Smarter Spaces,” the SenseCAP Watcher leverages onboard and cloud-based technologies to “bridge the gap between digital intelligence and physical applications.” The SenseCAP Watcher is powered by an ESP32-S3 microcontroller coupled with a Himax WiseEye2 HX6538 chip (Cortex-M55 and Ethos-U55 microNPU) for image and vector data processing. It builds on the Grove Vision AI V2 module and comes in a form factor about one-third the size of an iPhone. Onboard features include a camera, touchscreen, microphone, and speaker, supporting voice command recognition and multimodal sensor expansion. It runs the SenseCraft software suite which integrates on-device tinyML models with powerful large language models, either running on a remote cloud server or a local computer […]

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - 8 Comments on Zerowriter Ink is an open-source, ESP32-S3-based e-paper word processor (Crowdfunding)

Zerowriter Ink is an open-source, ESP32-S3-based e-paper word processor (Crowdfunding)

Zerowriter Ink e-paper word processor

Zerowriter Ink is an e-paper word processor for writers interested in an open-source, distraction-free writing tool built around the ESP32-S3 wireless microcontroller. It features a customizable, mechanical keyboard with low-profile Kailh Choc switches and a second-edition Inkplate 5 e-paper display from Soldered Electronics. The Zerowriter Ink is a compact, dedicated writing tool that can be tossed in a backpack and taken on the road. It is designed as an open-source, customizable alternative to other portable word processors like the Alphasmart Neo and the Pomera DM30. It builds on the first ZeroWriter project but comes fully assembled. The keyboard is hot-swappable, with a US-English layout and printed legends. The onboard Inkplate 5 e-paper display is powered by an ESP32-S3 microcontroller with support for Wi-Fi 4 and BLE 4. It also comes with a 5,000mAh LiPo battery that can last for several weeks of daily use or a month of standby on […]

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - 6 Comments on Teledatics HaloMax Wi-Fi HaLow LGA or M.2 module supports over 1000 clients, have been tested at a 100+km range (Crowdfunding)

Teledatics HaloMax Wi-Fi HaLow LGA or M.2 module supports over 1000 clients, have been tested at a 100+km range (Crowdfunding)

TD-WRLS development board

Teledatics has launched a crowdfunding campaign for the TD-HALOM HaloMax Wi-Fi HaLow module available in LGA and M.2 form factors for long-range and low-power connectivity, as well as HaLow development boards based on the module and various daughterboards for expansion. The wireless module, powered by Newracom’s NRC7394 SoC, is the product of a collaboration between Newracom and Teledatics. According to Zac Freeman, VP of Marketing & Sales at Newracom, the HaloMax module is “the highest output power Wi-Fi HaLow module available on the market. The Teledatics TD-HALOM module transmits at the highest allowable FCC power output and offers a Maximum Range HaLow solution.” Earlier this year, Teledatics broke the record for the longest distance for a Wi-Fi HaLow connection using the HaloMax wireless module and TE Connectivity Yagi antennas. Two Raspberry Pi 4 Model B units were able to communicate over a distance of 106km between Mount Greylock and Mount […]

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - 4 Comments on DeepRad is a cheap, modular SDR receiver based on the RTL-SDR (Crowdfunding)

DeepRad is a cheap, modular SDR receiver based on the RTL-SDR (Crowdfunding)

Deeprad Single modular SDR receiver

DeepRad is a software-defined radio (SDR) receiver built in the RTL-SDR form factor. The modular SDR receiver offers advantages over other RTL-SDR-based devices which make it easier to integrate with other components and build custom solutions for your specific applications. The DeepRad SDR receiver is based on the RTL-SDR dongle and features the same Realtek RTL2832U demodulator chip with an R860T tuner. The module features D+ and D- pins for USB connection, V+ for 5 V power supply, solderable jumpers for oscillator selection, an RF pin for antenna connection, and 8 shield pin connectors for shielding and support. The module is targeted at custom designs, with the user free to choose the best components for their application. It is as versatile as a typical SDR receiver, with applications ranging from FM radio listening to aircraft tracking. We have previously covered other RTL-SDR receivers, such as the KrakenSDR and the RTL-SDR […]

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - 7 Comments on The Epi C3 is a tiny ESP32-C3 development board with USB-C and an onboard antenna

The Epi C3 is a tiny ESP32-C3 development board with USB-C and an onboard antenna

Epi C3 ESP32-C3 development board

The Epi C3 is a small development board based on the Espressif ESP32-C3 microcontroller with a USB-C connector for power and programming and an onboard ceramic antenna for wireless applications. We have previously covered several tiny ESP32-C3 development boards such as the Microflex series, ESP32-C3-0.42LCD, the XIAO ESP32C3, and LOLIN’s C3 Mini and C3 Pico. The Epi C3 claims the title of the “smallest ESP32 dev board with USB-C and an onboard antenna.”  It uses a Johanson ceramic antenna with a “surprising range for its size” and the USB-C port is sunk into the board to reduce footprint. The ESP32-C3 microcontroller on the Epi C3 board is much more powerful than the 8-bit AVR chip on its predecessor, the Epi 32U4. The Epi C3, however, retains many of the older board’s protective features, including TVS diodes on the USB data lines and power input, a 500mA on the USB power […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - No Comments on Android 15 runs on Linaro development boards based on Qualcomm and HiSilicon chips

Android 15 runs on Linaro development boards based on Qualcomm and HiSilicon chips

Android 15 Hikey960 development board

Android 15 source code was just pushed to AOSP last week, and Linaro has already ported it to four reference development boards based on Qualcomm and HiSilicon/Huawei chips namely Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 devboard (SM8550-HDK), Qualcomm Robotics Board RB5, Qualcomm Dragonboard 845c (DB845c, aka RB3) and HiSilicon Hikey960. Recent Google Pixel phones can already get Android 15 beta, but that makes the aforementioned development boards some of the first hardware platforms running Android 15 which could be useful to app developers and people wanting to customize Android 15 OS for their target product(s). Android 15 worked on the same day as the release to AOSP thanks to a collaboration between Linaro and Google to make sure reference boards get support as soon as possible, and in this case, we had a “0-day boot” as Linaro puts it. This collaboration started in 2022 with Qualcomm Robotics RB3 and RB5 platforms getting […]

Posted on by Debashis Das - 5 Comments on nRFBOX V2 ESP32 wireless hacking tool can scan, analyze, spoof, and jam the whole 2.4GHz spectrum

nRFBOX V2 ESP32 wireless hacking tool can scan, analyze, spoof, and jam the whole 2.4GHz spectrum

nRFBOX V2 ESP32 wireless hacking tool

CiferTech has recently introduced the nRFBOX V2 ESP32-based wireless hacking tool designed for spectrum analysis, jamming, BLE device emulation, and more. The device is built around an ESP32-WROOM-32U module and includes an NRF24 module covering the whole 2.4GHz spectrum. Additionally, the device has a 0.96-inch OLED display, a five-way microswitch control pad, and a WS2812 RGB LED for feedback. The device can also be operated with a single 3.7V lithium battery, and that batter’s charging is handled by a TP4056 charging IC. All these features make this device useful for wireless security testing, educational environments, research, and hobbyist projects. Previously we have written about similar portable hacking tools like the DSTIKE Deauther Watch X, the HackBat pen-testing device, and the popular Flipper Zero wireless hacking tool. Feel free to check those out if you are looking for similar products. nRFBOX V2 specifications Microcontroller – ESP32-WROOM-32U with ESP32 dual-core wireless microcontroller […]

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - No Comments on MIKRIK V2 Robot Car is an entry-level, open-source robotics kit built for ROS and 3D computer vision

MIKRIK V2 Robot Car is an entry-level, open-source robotics kit built for ROS and 3D computer vision

MIKRIK V2 open source robotics kit

The MIKRIK V2 Robot Car is an open-source robotics kit for studying 3D computer vision and is compatible with both ROS1 and ROS2 software suites. The two-wheel-drive robot is powered by a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (as a ROS1 differential drive controller) and a more powerful x86 or ARM single-board computer that can support ROS2 applications like the LattePanda Delta 3, Intel NUC, or NVIDIA Jetson Nano. The robot car uses the Intel Realsense D435i camera for 3D depth vision. It is a less expensive alternative to the iRobot Create, Husarion, and TurtleBot, and compares favorably with NVIDIA’s open-source JetBot AI robot platform. The robot car’s chassis is squared-off and made from shatterproof flex plastic. The CAD files are available on GitHub for self-assembly using a laser cutter and a 3D printer. The assembly and setup process is documented on the Hackster project page. On the software end, it […]

UP 7000 x86 SBC