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July 16, 2026 by Debashis Das - No Comments

OpenInfrared Point is an ESP32-S3 powered universal remote hub with Infrared, BLE, NFC, audio streaming (Crowdfunding)

OpenInfrared Point is a universal remote hub built around ESP32-S3 that lets users control compatible devices from a smartphone by scanning a QR code or tapping an NFC tag, eliminating the need for dedicated remote controls. Powered via USB-C, the Point hub can learn IR codes from existing remote controls and supports infrared, IP (HTTP), and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) device control, with RF support planned as a future add-on. Hardware features include an IR output for external emitters, an audio input for private TV audio streaming, built-in NFC, QR-code access, and support for controlling TVs, projectors, AV receivers, air conditioners, streaming devices, and other compatible equipment. OpenInfrared Point specifications: Wireless Module – ESP32-S3-WROOM-1 SoC – Espressif Systems ESP32-S3 CPU – Dual-core Tensilica LX7 up to 240 MHz with vector extension for AI/ML workloads RAM – 512KB SRAM; 8MB PSRAM Wireless – WiFi 4 and Bluetooth LE 5 Storage – 16MB […]

July 15, 2026 by Debashis Das - 2 Comments

Bigme Hibreak Dual 2 – An Android 16 smartphone with 6.13-inch 80fps E-Ink and 5-inch LCD display (Crowdfunding)

Bigme has launched the Hibreak Dual 2, an Android 16 smartphone with a 6.13-inch 80fps E-Ink display on the front and a 5-inch LCD on the rear. Built around the MediaTek Dimensity 8300 processor and supports dual 5G connectivity, positioning it as an E-Ink smartphone with flagship-class hardware. The front E-Ink can be used for reading, writing, and general everyday use, whereas the LCD in the back serves as a conventional smartphone display for applications that require higher refresh rates and full-color output, like video gaming and navigation. This dual-screen setup allows users to switch between the two displays depending on the task. Bigme Hibreak Dual 2 specifications: SoC – MediaTek Dimensity 8300 CPU – Octa-core processor with 4x Arm Cortex-A715 and 4x Cortex-A510 GPU – Arm Mali-G615 VPU Video Encoding – H.264, HEVC Video Playback – H.264, HEVC, VP9, AV1 AI accelerator – MediaTek NPU 780 Memory – 12GB […]

July 1, 2026July 2, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 7 Comments

Sipeed NanoKVM-Go – A 4K USB-C KVM with Recall-like function, AI integration (Crowdfunding)

Sipeed NanoKVM-Go is a 4K USB-C KVM designed to control any USB-C device from anywhere with one cable. It also supports “full screen memory”, a function similar to the controversial Microsoft Recall feature, which enables an AI agent to search through your screenshots. Remote control software works fine until your system freezes or BIOS access is required, and traditional KVMs do the job with HDMI, USB, Ethernet, power cables, and adapters, but that’s a bit too much when working on the go. The NanoKVM-Go aims to solve all these little issues with a small and light device that requires only one cable to the target, while the host connects to the USB KVM over WiFi 6. NanoKVM-Go and Go+ specifications: SoC – Unamed, but almost certainly the Axera Tech AX630C used in the Sipeed NanoKVM Pro 4K IP KVM. CPU – Dual-core Cortex-A53 AI accelerator – 3.2TOPS NPU System Memory […]

June 29, 2026June 29, 2026 by Debashis Das - No Comments

DESLOC V150 Plus smart lock integrates a perovskite solar panel, supports 3D face recognition (Crowdfunding)

DESLOC V150 Plus Low Light Self Charging Solar Smart Lock

DESLOC V150 Plus is a smart lock with an integrated perovskite solar panel, which can generate power under low-light conditions, eliminating or at least reducing the need for manual battery charging. The V150 Plus is a two-part system consisting of exterior and interior units connected via wires through the door. The exterior unit includes the perovskite solar panel, two cameras with a 3D facial recognition system, and an AI-assisted fingerprint sensor, while the interior unit houses a 10,000mAh removable battery, a Battery Management System (BMS), and a lock motor. The BMS manages battery charging and power distribution. The rechargeable battery is rated to provide up to 8 months of backup operation when solar charging is unavailable, which is a little longer than the Lockzo AL501 3-in-1 smart door lock we reviewed earlier. DESLOC V150 Plus specifications: SoC – TBD (most probably a chip from Nordic or Espressif) Connectivity – Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Access […]

June 19, 2026June 19, 2026 by Debashis Das - 2 Comments

Rotary Mouse puts a rotary wheel into a standard desktop mouse (Crowdfunding)

While mouse sensors have improved a lot over time, the scroll wheel has mostly stayed the same. Normal scrolling requires you to keep flicking your finger up and down, which can get uncomfortable during long sessions like coding or video editing. To change this, Airra Labs has introduced the Rotary Mouse, which uses a rotary wheel in place of the scroll wheel to let you scroll with a simple circular motion. It comes in two variants: a standard and a vertical version. The standard variant features a larger circular, jog-wheel-like dial on top that lets you scroll by rotating your finger. The vertical variant also comes with the same wheel but is designed so you can scroll like a regular mouse by flicking your finger up and down, while still using the same circular motion. This provides a wider range of movement and can make scrolling faster and easier than with […]

June 5, 2026June 5, 2026 by Debashis Das - 2 Comments

EKOS – An ESP32-S3 ePaper dashboard housed in an oak-aluminum enclosure (Crowdfunding)

EKOS A Programmable Open Source ePaper Hub in Solid Oak

Designed by StillFixing in Normandy (France), the EKOS is a local-first, low-power ePaper dashboard built around an ESP32-S3 SoC. It operates without any cloud dependency, subscriptions, or external accounts, offering full privacy, faster response times, and direct local control. The device comes in two variants: the EKOS Pure is a minimalist, non-touch version with two physical buttons for basic control, and the EKOS Sense adds a capacitive touch layer for smart home control, such as toggling devices, triggering scenes, or managing tasks. Both models feature a repair-friendly design with no adhesives, using four screws for assembly and a user-replaceable lithium-polymer battery. Additionally, the dashboard can be updated entirely over your home network without needing the internet. You can push data to the screen using a local API from a phone or PC, link it straight to Home Assistant, or use it to control other ESPHome devices around your house. EKOS […]

June 2, 2026June 2, 2026 by Debashis Das - 6 Comments

Wireless-Tag ESP32P4C61-TINY board combines ESP32-P4 and ESP32-C61 SoCs (Crowdfunding)

Wireless-Tag has launched a Kickstarter campaign for the ESP32P4C61-TINY, a compact open-source AIoT development board based on their WT01P461-S1 module, which combines ESP32-P4 (general-purpose) and ESP32-C61 (wireless) RISC-V SoCs. Like other ESP32-P4 boards, including the ESP32P4C5 Core Board, the M5Stack Stamp-P4, or ESP32-P4-Pi-VIEWE, this one also uses a separate SoC (ESP32-C61) for wireless connectivity. Additionally, it features built-in MIPI CSI and DSI for camera and display support, along with a microSD card slot for storage, making it suitable for AIoT and edge computing applications. ESP32P4C61-TINY Specifications Wireless Module – Wireless-Tag WT01P461-S1 (25 x 25mm) Microcontroller – ESP32-P4 MCU Dual-core RISC-V microcontroller @ 360/400 MHz with AI instructions extension and single-precision FPU Single-RISC-V LP (Low-power) MCU core @ up to 40 MHz GPU – 2D Pixel Processing Accelerator (PPA) VPU – H.264 and JPEG codecs support Memory – 768 KB HP L2MEM, 32 KB LP SRAM, 8 KB TCM, 16/32MB PSRAM Storage – 128 KB HP […]

May 28, 2026 by Debashis Das - No Comments

Gesture HW1 is a 10-DOF ESP32-S3 robotic hand with high-dexterity manipulation (Crowdfunding)

Gesture HW1 — A 10 DOF Robotic Hand and Wrist

The HW1 by Gesture Platforms is a 10-degree-of-freedom (DOF) high-dexterity robotic hand and wrist built around an ESP32-S3 wireless MCU. It’s primarily designed for researchers, educators, and hobbyists; it bridges the gap between basic DIY robotic hands and expensive industrial models. The device weighs just around 500 grams but can handle a 1kg dynamic load and a 3kg static load. It communicates via USB-C or Bluetooth 5.0 and comes with a companion desktop app as well as Python and C++ SDKs for custom development. Gesture HW1 specifications: Microcontroller – Espressif Systems ESP32-S3 dual-core LX7 microprocessor with WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 5.0 LE connectivity Degrees of Freedom (active) – 10 DOF Finger Flexion – 0° – 90° (at each joint) Finger Adduction/Abduction – -10° – 40° Thumb Flexion/Extension – 0° – 120° Thumb Adduction/Abduction – 20° – 90° Thumb Distal Flexion – 0° – 90° Wrist Flexion/Extension – -50° – 50° Wrist […]