WiFIRCard is a credit card-sized ESP32-S3 board designed for home automation with two relays and a few GPIOs (headers and screw terminals) that can be controlled over WiFi 4 or an IR (infrared) remote control.
The board also features a microSD card slot for data logging or other storage uses, a buzzer for audio feedback, a USB-C port for power and programming, and a few buttons and LEDs.
WiFiRCard specifications:
- Wireless module – ESP32-S3-WROOM-1 with Xtensa® LX7 dual-core 32-bit
- SoC – Espressif Systems ESP32-S3
- CPU – Dual-core Tensilica LX7 up to 240 MHz with vector extension for AI/ML workloads
- RAM – 512KB SRAM, up to 8MB PSRAM
- Storage – Up to 16MB flash
- Wireless – WiFi 4 and Bluetooth LE 5
- Antenna – PCB antenna
- SoC – Espressif Systems ESP32-S3
- Storage – MicroSD card slot for data logging/storage
- USB – 1x USB Type-C port for power and programming
- Relays
- 2x HLS8L-DC5V-S-C relays
- 10A/250V AC, 15A/120V AC, 10A, 30V DC
- NO/COM/NC screw terminals
- Opto-isolated for safety
- Open PCB track + enhanced solder masking for optimized current flow and durability
- 2x HLS8L-DC5V-S-C relays
- Expansion – ESP32 GPIOs broken out as screw terminals + header pins (See pinout diagrams below)
- Misc
- IR receiver with support for remote learning & emulation (TV, AC, etc.)
- Boot and Reset buttons
- 2x programmable LEDs
- Buzzer for audio feedback
- Power Supply – 5V via screw terminal (note silkscreen reads: 4.5 – 12V) or USB-C port
- Dimensions – 85x56mm (credit card form factor)
The WiFiRCard board can be programmed with C/C++, Arduino, MicroPython, and CircuitPython, and we are promised “comprehensive SDKs, libraries, and tutorials“, but at this stage, there’s nothing available for us to check… Writing code to control relays is not exactly challenging, so the current lack of samples and documentation may not matter that much.
They also mention IoT integrations with Alexa, Google Assistant, Home Assistant, MQTT, Blynk, and OTA updates. Some demos can be found in the video embedded at the end of this post, but again, there’s no documentation, and we’d probably have to wait until the crowdfunding campaign is over to get more details. This is Dave’s third Kickstarter campaign, but the previous two were books about BBC Micro:bit, Arduino, and ESP32. The WiFiRCard is his first hardware project on KS.
There are already plenty of ESP32 WiFi relay boards on the market, but having one with an IR receiver and a few extra GPIO through terminal blocks is less common, and some may find the WiFiRCard better meets their needs than existing products.
The lowly 1200 Euros funding target has already been surpassed. Rewards on Kickstarter start at $39 US/33 Euros for the Early Bird WiFiRCard, and there are bundles with 2, 4, or 8 boards. Shipping adds $19 US/16 Euros, and deliveries are scheduled to start in November 2025.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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