home assistant News - Page 2 of 21 - CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

home assistant

Posted on by Debashis Das - 8 Comments on Waveshare MK20 macro keyboard features twenty mechanical keys with 0.85-inch color LCD keycaps

Waveshare MK20 macro keyboard features twenty mechanical keys with 0.85-inch color LCD keycaps

Waveshare MK20 Multi Functional AI Voice Control Panel

Waveshare MK20 is a multifunctional macro keyboard with twenty mechanical keys featuring 0.85-inch LCD keycaps. As an upgrade to the earlier MK10 model, it adds a 2.8-inch secondary display along with two control knobs. The device supports AI voice interaction, real-time data display, and smart home integration with Home Assistant. Like its predecessor, the MK20 relies on a dual-system architecture: an Allwinner T113-S3 dual-core Cortex-A7 processor runs Linux to drive the displays, and a GD32 microcontroller runs QMK for low-latency keyboard and knob input. Each LCD key offers 128×128 resolution and supports dynamic images, videos, and multi-layer overlays, while the 2.8-inch secondary display (428 × 142 resolution) provides status or customization information. The keyboard also includes two rotary encoders with aluminum caps for volume, playback, or timeline control. The device is built with an aluminum alloy top case and a 2.5D acrylic lens for durability. Waveshare MK20 specifications: Main Controller – Allwinner […]

Posted on by Paisit Wongsongsarn - No Comments on Weffort Outdoor Smart Shade Review with Home Assistant over Matter/Thread

Weffort Outdoor Smart Shade Review with Home Assistant over Matter/Thread

Weffort Smart Shade Review

We’re going to do a quick review of smart outdoor motorised shades from Weffort — another brand that makes smart shades compatible with popular Smart Home platforms, including Home Assistant, SmartThings, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, and Amazon Alexa. The cool thing about Weffort’s shades is that everything’s fully customisable and made-to-order — from the fabric and motors to casing styles, size, and the Smart Home platform you want to use with. With various options, it might sound complicated at first (usually people just let a pro handle it), but it’s actually way easier than you think. Plus, the shades are lightweight, so you can totally install them by yourself. Custom-made shades Before we got the test unit from Weffort, they let us locate a good spot for installation and testing so that we could take measurements following the guide on their website, which also has tips on choosing materials, installation, measurements, […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 14 Comments on SONOFF Dongle Max (Dongle-M) – A PoE-based Zigbee/Thread gateway with ESP32 and MG24 chips

SONOFF Dongle Max (Dongle-M) – A PoE-based Zigbee/Thread gateway with ESP32 and MG24 chips

SONOFF Dongle Max

As expected, SONOFF has now launched the Dongle Max (also known as Dongle-M) Zigbee coordinator and Thread Border Router with Ethernet, WiFi, and USB connectivity. The company also highlights PoE or USB power supply options, web console access, and support for advanced features such as Webhooks, MQTT, WireGuard VPN, and Turbo mode. SONOFF Dongle Max specifications: Wireless SoCs Silicon Labs EFR32MG24 MCU core – Arm Cortex-M33 MCU @ 78 MHz Memory – 256 KB RAM (300% more RAM than ZBDongle-E) Storage – 1536 KB flash (twice the flash of ZBDongle-E) Radios/Protocols – 802.15.4, Matter, OpenThread, Zigbee 3.0, BLE, Bluetooth Mesh, Proprietary 2.4 GHz, Multiprotocol Espressif Systems ESP32-D0WDR2-V3 MCU cores – Dual-core Xtensa LX6 32-bit microprocessor up to 240 MHz Memory – 520 KB SRAM + 2 MB embedded PSRAM Wireless – 2.4 GHz 802.11 b/g/n WiFi 4 and Bluetooth: v4.2 + EDR Storage – 16MB flash for ESP32 Wired networking […]

Posted on by Paisit Wongsongsarn - 6 Comments on XIAO Smart IR Mate Review – A compact smart infrared remote control hub for Home Assistant

XIAO Smart IR Mate Review – A compact smart infrared remote control hub for Home Assistant

SeeedStudio XIAO IR Test3 AirCon Mitsubishi Slim

SeeedStudio sent us a tiny Smart IR Remote hub for review: XIAO Smart IR Mate, or XIAO IR Mate for short. At first glance, it looks like any other WiFi IR blasters, but what makes it interesting is that the device is built on an open architecture using the XIAO ESP32C3 module and runs on ESPHome, working natively with the Home Assistant open-source home automation platform. As usual, SeeedStudio gives access to the source code, so it’s super convenient if you want to tweak the functions yourself to fit various needs. For those who are new to Smart IR, it’s a device that acts as an infrared (IR) control hub. The idea is to let you control legacy IR-based devices (old TVs, air conditioners, stereos, etc.) via a Smart Home system. We did several tests with several devices we had lying around, namely a Hatari oscillating fan, a Dyson blade-less […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment on WiFIRCard – A credit card-sized WiFi and IR-controlled dual relay board (Crowdfunding)

WiFIRCard – A credit card-sized WiFi and IR-controlled dual relay board (Crowdfunding)

WiFiRCard

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 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, […]

Posted on by Debashis Das - 16 Comments on QMK-compatible macro keyboard features 0.85-inch LCD keycaps, 2.01-inch display

QMK-compatible macro keyboard features 0.85-inch LCD keycaps, 2.01-inch display

Waveshare MK10 stream deck like macro keyboard with LCD keycaps

Waveshare has recently released the MK10, a Stream Deck-like macro keyboard featuring ten mechanical keys with 0.85-inch LCD keycaps and a secondary 2.01-inch screen. The macro keyboard also supports AI voice interaction, real-time hardware and weather data integration, and customizable themes with drag-and-drop editing. The company also highlights Home Assistant compatibility for Smart Home control. The device features a dual-system architecture, where an Allwinner T113-S3 dual-core Cortex-A7 processor runs Linux, and a GD32 microcontroller runs QMK firmware, ensuring low-latency mechanical input. The 10 LCD keys can display images or videos with overlay support, and the 2.01-inch screen shows additional status or customization options. The mechanical switches are rated for 50 million presses with a defined actuation force and travel. The device uses an aluminum alloy top case, a hardened 2.5D acrylic lens, and supports two placement methods: flat or at a 40° angle. Waveshare MK10 specifications: Main Controller – Allwinner […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 12 Comments on reTerminal E1001/E1002 – ESP32-S3-powered monochrome/color ePaper displays for dashboards, digital signage

reTerminal E1001/E1002 – ESP32-S3-powered monochrome/color ePaper displays for dashboards, digital signage

reTerminal E1002 7.3-inch color ePaper display

Seeed Studio’s reTerminal E1001 and E1002 are two ePaper displays featuring an ESP32-S3 WiFi and Bluetooth LE wireless microcontroller suitable for dashboards or digital signage applications. The only difference between the two reTerminal E-series displays is that the E1001 features a 7.5-inch monochrome display, while the E1002 integrates a 7.3-inch 6-color ePaper display. Both come with a 2,000 mAh battery offering up to 3 months of battery life, a 32MB SPI flash, a microSD card slot, a microphone and a buzzer, temperature and humidity sensors, an 8-pin GPIO header, and a few buttons and LEDs. reTerminal E1001/E1002 specifications: Wireless SoC – Espressif Systems ESP32-S3 dual-core microcontroller with 8MB PSRAM Storage 32MB SPI flash MicroSD card slot up to 32GB (FAT32 file system only) Display E1001 – 7.5-inch Monochrome ePaper display with 800×480 resolution E1002 – 7.3-inch “Full Color” (i.e., 6-color) ePaper display with 800×480 resolution Audio Microphone (3) for voice […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments on SONOFF Dongle Plus MG24 – A Zigbee/Thread USB Dongle based on SiLabs EFR32MG24 SoC

SONOFF Dongle Plus MG24 – A Zigbee/Thread USB Dongle based on SiLabs EFR32MG24 SoC

SONOFF Dongle Plus MG24 laptop Raspberry Pi SBC

SONOFF Dongle Plus MG24, also called Dongle-PMG24, is a Zigbee/Thread USB dongle based on Silicon Labs’ EFR32MG24 wireless SoC, which offers the same features as the SONOFF ZBDongle-E with an EFR32MG21 SoC, but with “better performance”. SONOFF says the Dongle Plus MG24 comes with 300% more RAM (256KB) and 100% more flash (1536KB) than the ZBDongle-E/Dongle Plus E (I wish the company would just stop giving two names for each of its products…), offers a range of up to 200 meters with the provided 3dBi antenna. SONOFF Dongle Plus MG24 specifications: Wireless SoC – Silicon Labs EFR32MG24 MCU core – Arm Cortex-M33 MCU @ 78 MHz Memory – 256 KB RAM (300% more RAM than ZBDongle-E) Storage – 1536 KB flash (twice the flash of ZBDongle-E) Radios/Protocols – 802.15.4, Matter, OpenThread, Zigbee 3.0, BLE, Bluetooth Mesh, Proprietary 2.4 GHz, Multiprotocol (for the SoC, but only Zigbee is used here) Connectivity […]