kickstarter News - Page 2 of 53 - CNX Software

January 25, 2026January 25, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 13 Comments

Mecha Comet is an open-source hardware, modular Linux handheld computer (Crowdfunding)

Mecha Comet open-source hardware modular Linux handheld computer can be used as a gaming console, a Linux terminal, an electronic measurement tool, and more, thanks to a 40-pin magnetic expansion connector for modules such as a gamepad, a QWERTY keyboard, a 40-pin GPIO header, and more. The Mecha Comet is powered by an NXP i.MX 8M Plus or i.MX 95 Arm SoC, ships with up to 8GB RAM and 128GB flash, but also supports MicroSD and NVMe storage. It also features a 3.91-inch touchscreen display, a mini HDMI 2.1 port, an 8MP camera, a dual-mic array and a speaker, a 3.5mm audio jack, WiFi 5 and optional 4G LTE/5G cellular connectivity, as well as a few USB-C ports and built-in sensors. Mecha Comet specifications: SoC (one or the other) NXP i.MX8M Plus CPU – Quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 @ up to 1.8 GHz Real-time MCU – Arm Cortex-M7 @ up to […]

January 20, 2026January 19, 2026 by Debashis Das - 4 Comments

EnviroGo ESP32-S3 wearable environmental monitor features 7 sensors (Crowdfunding)

EnviroGo s 7 in 1 ESP32 wearable environmental monitor

EnviroGo is an ESP32-S3-based wearable environmental monitor that tracks Organic Compounds (VOCs), UV index, temperature, humidity, air pressure, light, and motion via a 9-axis MEMS sensor. It is designed for indoor and outdoor use, and can be worn, clipped to a bag, or magnetically mounted, making it suitable for homes, offices, travel, labs, and daily use where real-time environmental data is needed. EnviroGo supports built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity through the ESP32-S3 WiSoC, features a small 0.96-inch IPS display, a microSD card slot for local data logging, and an RTC for time-stamped records. The device samples data at configurable intervals, uses RGB LEDs and a buzzer for visual and audible alerts, and can process data locally with AI-based prediction to spot trends such as rising VOC levels or humidity changes (with a stated 7-day learning period). EnviroGo is designed for IoT developers, researchers, smart home users, and health-conscious individuals who […]

January 13, 2026January 13, 2026 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment

StackChan is a cute, community-build, open-source AI desktop robot (Crowdfunding)

StackChan is an open-source AI desktop robot based on the M5Stack CoreS3 ESP32-S3 IoT controller that works as an AI Voice Assistant and can notably be used for Smart Home & IoT control. It features a 2-inch touchscreen display, a VGA camera, a dual microphone array and a 1W speaker for voice interaction, a few sensors, an infrared receiver, an infrared transmitter/blaster, two servos for horizontal and vertical movement, and a few buttons and LEDs. StackChan specifications: Core module – M5Stack CoreS3 IoT controller Wireless MCU – Espressif Systems ESP32-S3FN16R8 CPU – Dual-core 32-bit Xtensa LX7 microcontroller with AI vector instructions up to 240MHz, RISC-V ULP co-processor Memory – 512KB SRAM, 8MB PSRAM Storage – 16MB flash, Wirleess – 2.4GHz WiFi 4 (802.11b/g/n), Bluetooth 5.0 BLE + Mesh Antenna – Internal 3D antenna Storage – MicroSD card slot Display – 2-inch IPS display with 320×240 resolution, 65,536 colors via ILI9342C […]

December 23, 2025 by Debashis Das - No Comments

HackyPi 2.0 hacking tool gets ESP32-S3 for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity (Crowdfunding)

HackyPi 2.0 USB Hacking and penitration testing tool

HackyPi 2.0 is an ESP32-S3-based USB hacking and automation tool designed for both coders and non-coders. It features AI-assisted control, HID keystroke injection, BadUSB, and a no-code interface for learning, automation, ethical hacking, and overall system interaction. Compared to the original Raspberry Pi RP2040-based HackyPi, the HackyPi 2.0 adds Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, remote access, AI integration, and automatic OS detection, making it far more flexible. It keeps support for BadUSB and HID keystroke injection and also adds features such as mouse jiggler mode, child-safety website blocking, RGB status lighting, and LVGL-based UI support. Everything can be controlled through a beginner-friendly, no-code visual interface, while there is also an option to run commands, scripts, and automated workflows when deeper control is needed. HackyPi 2.0 specifications: Main SoC – ESP32-S3 CPU – Dual-core LX7 microprocessor @ up to 240 MHz with Vector extension for machine learning Wireless – WiFi 4 and […]

December 18, 2025December 18, 2025 by Debashis Das - 6 Comments

REETLE SmartInk I – An AI-powered E-Ink phone case with voice recording (Crowdfunding)

The REETLE SmartInk I is a phone case with a touch-enabled E-Ink display and built-in AI features. It features a secondary screen on the back for reading text, viewing notes, recording voice, and displaying to-do items, allowing basic tasks to be completed without using the phone’s main display. In the back, you have a 3.97-inch E-Ink touchscreen with one-press voice recording, AI-based transcription, summarization, and smart to-do display, all synced to a companion mobile app via Bluetooth 5.0. It supports iPhone 13–17 series and a wide range of Android phones, features a 300 mAh battery with 10W MagSafe wireless charging, and delivers up to 10 hours of reading, 8 hours of recording, and over 2 weeks of standby time. Weighing around 55 grams with a total thickness under 4 mm, it includes military-grade drop protection, tempered glass, widget switching (QR codes, notes, schedules), a thin design, and a 10°C to […]

November 27, 2025 by Debashis Das - No Comments

UltraBar X – A high-end modular desktop smart-hub with a 5:1 ultra-wide touch display, magnetic snap-on modules (Crowdfunding)

The UltraBar X is a modular desktop command center/smart-hub built around an ultra-wide “CoreBar” touch display with a system of magnetically attachable input modules. Designed as an intelligent hub for Windows, macOS, and Linux environments, it also works as a smart home controller. With a 45-degree ergonomic tilt, wireless PC wake, smart-home integration, and modular touch/mechanical inputs, it gives creators, gamers, and power users quick access to all key functions. The whole system is built around the CoreBar hub and modular add-ons like VivoCube, DotKey, SenseCube, and KnobKey, all of which use the QuantumLink magnetic protocol for instant attachment and auto-detection. The CoreBar hub features a 5:1 touch display, LineOS firmware, Bluetooth Mesh, USB/HID connectivity, and an AI-driven SceneShift engine that adapts UI layouts and macros to different workflows. The four optional modules add AMOLED touch controls, Cherry MX keys, rotary knobs, and multi-sensor environmental sensing (mmWave radar, light, temperature, humidity, […]

November 17, 2025November 17, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments

HackStar – An RP2040 or ESP32-S3-based USB hacking cable/dongle (Crowdfunding)

HackStar is an ethical hacking tool based on Raspberry Pi RP2040 or ESP32-S3 in a USB cable or dongle form factor for education, pentesters, and makers. While the email I received claimed the HackStar was the “first-ever production-ready ethical hacking product on Kickstarter”, we’ve written about a range of hacking devices based on ESP8266, ESP32, and/or RP2040 microcontroller(s) such as the popular Flipper Zero, the BUG USB stick, nRFBOX V2 ESP32 wireless hacking tool, ESP32 Marauder Double Barrel, HackyPi USB adapter, and many others. What’s relatively new, or at least less common (see HackCable project), here is that the HackStar is also available as a USB Type-A to USB Type-C WiFi hacking cable… HackStar Cable hardware specifications: Wireless SoC – Espressif Systems ESP32-S3 dual-core LX7 processor @ 240 MHz with 2.4 GHz WiFi 4 and Bluetooth LE/dual mode USB Type-A male connector USB Type-C male connector Length – TBD HackStar […]

November 13, 2025November 13, 2025 by Debashis Das - 3 Comments

The PV PI HAT adds 10A true MPPT solar charging to the Raspberry Pi (Crowdfunding)

PV Pi A Solar Charging Hat for Raspberry Pi

Developed by Luke Ditria and his team at AutoEcology, the PV PI is a plug-and-play MPPT solar charging HAT designed for Raspberry Pi and other SBCs like the Orange Pi, Banana Pi, and NVIDIA Jetson. Designed for outdoor and remote projects and built around TI BQ25756 charge controller and STM32F103 MCU, it supports LiFePO4 management, true MPPT charging, power monitoring, and automation over the RS-232 UART interface. It also produces 5V output via a high-current buck/boost converter, supports watchdog-based power cycling, RTC wake-up scheduling, and automatic restart at safe voltage levels. With XT30 connectors, stackable headers, and RTC backup, the PV PI HAT is ideal for solar-powered IoT like AI-based wildlife monitors, environmental monitoring, and remote data logging applications. PV PI HAT specifications Compatibility – Raspberry Pi, Orange Pi, Banana Pi, NVIDIA Jetson, etc… Main MCU – STmicro STM32F103 Arm Cortex-M3 microcontroller @ 72 MHz Charge controller – BQ25756 I2C […]