Kode Dot is a pocket-sized ESP32-S3 maker device for prototyping with a built-in 2.13-inch AMOLED, a 500mAh battery, a 9-axis IMU, a microphone and a speaker, an RTC, a few buttons, a GPIO header, and a magnetic connector for expansion.
Kode Dot is designed to simplify the prototyping process. Users can still write code using the Arduino IDE, PlatformIO, or ESP-IDF framework and upload it via the kit’s USB-C port, but thanks to kodeOS firmware, each program becomes a standalone app with its own name, icon, and interface, accessible from the graphical user interface.
Kode Dot specifications:
- SoC – Espressif Systems ESP32-S3 dual-core microcontroller with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5 LE, ESP-NOW peer-to-peer protocol
- System Memory – 8 MB octal PSRAM
- Storage
- 32 MB octal SPI flash
- microSD card slot
- Display – 2.13-inch Color AMOLED with 502 x 410 resolution
- Audio
- ICS-43434 MEMS microphone
- 1W MAX98357A speaker amp
- USB – USB Type-C port for charging, data, flashing, and debugging with JTAG
- Sensors – 9-axis IMU
- Expansion
- 20-pin header with I2C, SPI, UART, 12x GPIOs, 5V, 3.3V, and GND
- Rear magnetic connector for charging and I2C communication with external boards, no jumper wires needed.
- Misc
- 4-button directional pad
- BOOT & RESET buttons
- Select and back buttons
- WS2812B addressable RGB NeoPixel
- MAX31328 real-time clock
- Power Supply
- 5V/2A via USB-C port
- 500 mAh rechargeable Li-Po battery
- BQ27220 Battery fuel gauge
- BQ25896 PMIC for charging & power management:
- Dimensions – 73 x 43 x 15 mm
- Weight – About 50 grams
The company does not provide much details about the documentation and software on Kickstarter, but a web search quickly pointed me to detailed instructions to get started, and the source code for the kodeOS loader, but not the firmware itself. Kode also highlights support for AI thanks to built-in voice I/O and Wi-Fi enabled the Dot to connect to AI models like GPT or Gemini.
The Kode Dot is suitable for education, prototyping, and Edge AI projects with typical use cases including a Klipper 3D printer controller, a Smart Home controller, a Bitcoin price tracker, a robotic Arm controller, a U2F security key, an environment sensor, and more.
Kode launched the Dot on Kickstarter with a $5,000, but the project has been fairly popular and already raised over $150,000 with 41 days to go. Rewards start at $129 for one Kode Dot, but there’s also a $149 bundle with a LoRa module to be used with the Kode Meshtastic firmware. Shipping adds $15 to most countries, but can go up to $40. Backers will have to be somewhat patient as rewards are only scheduled to ship by July 2026.
Via Notebookcheck.net and thanks to TLS for the tip.
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.
Support CNX Software! Donate via cryptocurrencies, become a Patron on Patreon, or purchase goods on Amazon or Aliexpress. We also use affiliate links in articles to earn commissions if you make a purchase after clicking on those links.
Very cool, but at $129 it becomes inaccessible for many schools and orgs to use as a learning platform. The M5Stack Core2 is similar (same ballpark) but only $50. The M5StickC series at $20 starts to get interesting. It has far fewer features as the Dot, but a similar ease-of-experimenting vibe. At $20, it starts to get feasible to create a classroom activity, but let the students keep them and experiment at home.
Cool idea, but isn’t it 2-3 times more expensive than possible at scale (preventing impulsive buys from even more thinkerers)?