automation

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - No Comments on Tobor open-source, modular robotic arm features two ESP32 modules (Crowdfunding)

Tobor open-source, modular robotic arm features two ESP32 modules (Crowdfunding)

Tobor robotics platform with pen plotter toolhead

Tobor (robot spelled in reverse) is a modular and open-source robotic arm platform powered by the ESP32-WROVER-I and ESP32-WROOM-32 (FluidNC CNC Controller core) modules. It is described as a “fully-featured robotic system that can fit on your desktop and is capable of helping you automate your workflow.” Tobor is billed as a customizable assistant for complex tasks such as assembly line help, CNC design, and rapid prototyping. The Tobor ecosystem includes several open-source components, including robotic arms, motion platforms, sensors, and actuators, that can be combined to create a unique system for “almost any desktop automation.” The Tobor Robot Arm supports multiple toolhead options such as the pen plotter toolhead, z-stage toolhead with 4th axis and suction cup, and the pick and place expansion pack. We have seen other open-source robotic platforms such as the SO-ARM100 AI robotic arm kit, CYOBot v2, and MIKRIK V2 Robot Car. Tobor Robot Arm […]

Posted on by Debashis Das - No Comments on Intel N50 fanless open-frame panel PCs features 7” and 10” PCAP touch display, HDMI 2.0a, RS-485/232

Intel N50 fanless open-frame panel PCs features 7” and 10” PCAP touch display, HDMI 2.0a, RS-485/232

BCM OFT10W ADLN Open Frame touch LCD computer

BCM Advanced Research has recently introduced two new fanless open-frame panel PCs powered by an Intel Processor N50 CPU – the OFT07W-ADLN (7-inch) and OFT10W-ADLN (10-inch) – which are low-cost all-in-one embedded computers designed for tablet-like usability. Both modules feature 8GB LPDDR5 memory, 64GB eMMC storage, and an M.2 E-key slot for Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connectivity. These panel PCs come with PCAP touchscreens (800×1280 for 7-inch and 1200×1920 for 10-inch) with various connectivity options including USB, HDMI 2.0a, RS-232/485, and Gigabit Ethernet. With 12-24V DC input supply, fanless operation, and a durable steel frame, these compact open-frame panel PCs are meant for space-constrained applications like HMIs, self-service kiosks, gaming consoles, medical terminals, smart vending machines, digital signage, and more. BCM OFT07W-ADLN and OFT10W-ADLN specifications: SoC – Intel Processor N50 dual-core processor up to 3.4 GHz with 6MB cache, 16EU Intel UHD Graphics; TDP: 6W System Memory – Up to 8GB LPDDR5 onboard Storage – […]

Posted on by Debashis Das - 1 Comment on AAEON BOXER-8654AI-KIT – NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX-based Edge AI kit features four gigabit Ethernet ports with PoE support

AAEON BOXER-8654AI-KIT – NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX-based Edge AI kit features four gigabit Ethernet ports with PoE support

AAEON BOXER-8654AI-KIT Edge AI kit

The AAEON BOXER-8654AI-KIT Edge AI kit is a compact development kit built around the NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX modules with four gigabit Ethernet ports (with optional PoE) and an Out-of-Band (OOB) management header, and designed for applications like smart cities, IoT ecosystems, edge AI, and others. The multi-functional carrier board also offers six USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, HDMI video output, two MIPI CSI, two DB-9 ports for RS-232/422/485 and CAN Bus, and a 40-pin NVIDIA Jetson-compatible GPIO header for I2C, SPI, and UART interfaces. Expansion options include M.2 E and B-key slots for Wi-Fi and 5G modules (with onboard SIM), an M.2 M-Key slot for NVMe SSDs, and a SATA connector. AAEON BOXER-8654AI-KIT specifications SoM – NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX module CPU 8GB Version – 6-core Arm Cortex-A78AE v8.2 64-bit CPU, 1.5MB L2 cache + 4MB L3 cache 16GB Version – 8-core Arm Cortex-A78AE v8.2 64-bit CPU, 2MB L2 […]

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - 3 Comments on Home Assistant-compatible 60GHz mmWave radar sensor features a built-in IR blaster (Crowdfunding)

Home Assistant-compatible 60GHz mmWave radar sensor features a built-in IR blaster (Crowdfunding)

60 GHz Radar Module Presence Detection

The eMotion Ultra is a Home Assistant-compatible 60GHz mmWave radar presence sensor with a built-in IR blaster with a 15-meter range, a brightness sensor, and a temperature/humidity sensor. It is powered by an Armv8-M KM4 microcontroller with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity and is targeted at simplifying complex smart home setups. The eMotion Ultra 60GHz mmWave radar presence sensor module is reported to be able to “cover up to 40 square meters (430 square feet) using just one device.” It can be configured for up to 4 zones with personalized automations for each zone. The exact Armv8-M KM4 module used isn’t named but is likely based on a Realtek RTL8720CM wireless SoC or other Realtek Ameba microcontroller. Potential applications include security management, lighting automation, home climate control, energy management, and rental property management. We have seen similar presence sensors such as the RoomSense IQ, Seeed Studio’s mmWave fall detection kit, SONOFF SNZB-06P, […]

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - 2 Comments on Ditronix’s IPEM PiHat turns your Raspberry Pi into a mains power energy monitor (Crowdfunding)

Ditronix’s IPEM PiHat turns your Raspberry Pi into a mains power energy monitor (Crowdfunding)

Raspberry Pi 5 IPEM Power Energy Monitor

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

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - 4 Comments on $12 Plant Bot is an ESP32-C3 soil sensor and pump driver for fully automated indoor plant care

$12 Plant Bot is an ESP32-C3 soil sensor and pump driver for fully automated indoor plant care

Plant Bot ESP32-C3 Plant Monitor

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

Posted on by Debashis Das - 1 Comment on Seeed Studio introduces ESP32-C3-based Modbus Vision RS485 and SenseCAP A1102 LoRaWAN outdoor Edge AI cameras

Seeed Studio introduces ESP32-C3-based Modbus Vision RS485 and SenseCAP A1102 LoRaWAN outdoor Edge AI cameras

Seeed Studio's Modbus Vision RS485 and SenseCAP A1102 outdoor Edge AI cameras

Seeed Studio has recently released the Modbus Vision RS485 and SenseCAP A1102 (LoRaWAN) outdoor Edge AI cameras based on ESP32-C3 SoC through the XIAO-ESP32C3 module for WiFi and the Himax WiseEye2 processor for vision AI. Both are IP66-rated AI vision cameras designed for home and industrial applications. The RS485 camera is designed for industrial systems and features a Modbus interface, making it suitable for factory automation and smart buildings. The SenseCAP A1102 uses LoRaWAN for long-range, low-power monitoring in remote locations. Both offer advanced AI for tasks like object detection and facial recognition. Besides its built-in RS485 interface, the Modbus Vision RS485 also supports LoRaWAN and 4G LTE connectivity via external Data Transfer Units (DTUs). With over 300 pre-trained AI models, the camera can do object detection and classification tasks making it suitable for industrial automation, smart agriculture, environmental monitoring, and other AI-driven applications requiring high performance. The SenseCAP A1102 […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments on Arduino Portenta Proto Kit ME aims to ease prototyping for professionals

Arduino Portenta Proto Kit ME aims to ease prototyping for professionals

Arduino Portenta Proto Kit ME

Arduino has introduced the Portenta Proto Kit ME (Motion Environment) at CES 2025 with the kit designed to allow engineers, designers, and innovators to turn ideas into functional prototypes quickly. The kit does not include new hardware, but it is based on the Arduino Portenta H7, Mid Carrier, and Nicla Sense ME module, as well as other off-the-shelf parts such as a 4G LTE and GNSS module and some Modulino modules, plus three months of Arduino Cloud access. The company expects the prototyping kit to be used for predictive maintenance, environmental sensing, and industrial automation prototypes. Arduino Portenta Proto Kit ME kit content: Portenta H7  board based on STMicro STM32H747 Arm Cortex-M7 @ 480 MHz + M4 @ 200 MHz MCU capable of handling ML workloads and advanced processing Portenta Mid Carrier with gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0 port, MIPI CSI and Arduino camera connectors, CAN Bus, mPCIe socket, GPIO header, […]