We have received a review sample of an energy metering device from SeeedStudio called the XIAO 2-Channel Wi-Fi AC Energy Meter (XIAO-2CH-EM). This device uses a clamp-on CT (Current Transformer) method on the live wire that you want to measure, without needing to modify the existing electrical wiring. XIAO-2CH-EM comes with several key features such as dual CT sensors (CT1 and CT2), native ESPHome & Home Assistant Integration, precise measurement with factory calibration, and bi-directional power flow monitoring. While the XIAO-2CH-EM has 2 CT input ports, it will only ship with one CT clamp by default, but users can purchase an additional CT clamp if needed. The two CT channels operate independently, and each one can measure bidirectional power and supports devices using up to 100A of current. That should be enough for an ordinary home. The XIAO-2CH-EM comes pre-flashed with ESPHome firmware from the factory, meaning it can be […]
Wio Tracker L1 Pro is a battery-powered, ready-to-use Meshtastic LoRa node
The Wio Tracker L1 Pro is a battery-powered LoRa node pre-flashed with the Meshtastic firmware for low-power off-grid messaging and GPS coordinates sharing. It integrates a Semtech SX1262 LoRa module for wireless data transmission and uses a Nordic nRF52840 Bluetooth 5.0 SoC to process and display the data. The L1 Pro also features a 1.3-inch OLED display, a rechargeable battery, a USB Type-C port, and a solar panel connector housed in a durable 3D-printed enclosure. It is fully compatible with the Grove ecosystem and offers expansion via PTH headers and an SWD interface. Wio Tracker L1 Pro specifications: SoC – Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 CPU – 32-bit Arm Cortex-M4F microcontroller @ 64 MHz Memory & storage – 1 MB Flash, 256 KB RAM Wireless – Bluetooth 5, Thread, ANT, Bluetooth Mesh, 802.15.4 (Zigbee), 2.4 GHz proprietary Display 1.3-inch OLED display with 64 x 28 resolution Active Area – 34.5mm x 23.0mm x 1.47mm […]
XIAO Vision AI Camera combines ESP32-C3 and WiseEye2 HX6538 AI MCU with 5MP camera, supports SenseCraft no-code platform
Seeed Studio has recently released the XIAO Vision AI Camera, a compact, open-source smart ESP32-C3 AI Camera that integrates the Grove Vision AI Module V2, a XIAO ESP32C3 module, and an OV5647 5MP camera in a custom 3D-printed PLA case. One of the key components of the camera module is the WiseEye2 HX6538 chip, which features dual-core Arm Cortex-M55 processors and an Ethos-U55 NPU for edge AI computing. It also comes with Wi-Fi connectivity, turning it into an intelligent IP camera that easily integrates with Home Assistant for closed-loop automation (e.g., object detection triggering lights or alerts). Its 5MP OV5647 camera can record 1080p@30fps video and has adjustable focus. These features make this camera useful for industrial automation, smart cities, transportation monitoring, intelligent agriculture, and mobile IoT devices. XIAO Vision AI Camera Specifications Main MCU module – XIAO ESP32C3 SoC – Expressif Systems ESP32-C3 CPU – Single-core RISC-V microcontroller @ […]
Everything Presence Lite ESP32-based mmWave presence sensor tracks up to three targets simultaneouslyÂ
Designed by Everything Smart Home, the Everything Presence Lite is a compact, ESP32-based mmWave presence sensor designed to be easily integrated with Home Assistant open-source home automation framework via ESPHome firmware. This sensor features a 24GHz mmWave sensor designed to track up to three targets simultaneously with real-time distance, speed, and positional data (X, Y coordinates). It supports dynamic zone customization, ambient light sensing using a BH1750 sensor, and acts as a Bluetooth proxy to extend Home Assistant’s Bluetooth range. The sensor comes in an injection-molded case, and the company also provides 3D-printable STL files, which you can customize according to your needs. Key applications include human presence detection, smart lighting automation, home security zone monitoring, HVAC efficiency control, fall detection for the elderly, and much more. Everything Presence Lite specifications: Wireless controller – ESP32-WROOM-32E WiFi and Bluetooth module with 4MB Flash mmWave Sensor Built-in Hi-Link HLK-LD2450 24 GHz ISM […]
SO-ARM101 open-source dual robotic arm kit works with Hugging Face’s LeRobot
SO-ARM101 “Arm Servo Motor Kit” is an open-source dual robotic arm kit that works with Hugging Face’s LeRobot robotics framework and is designed to interface with NVIDIA Jetson AI modules and computers. It is an update to the SO-ARM100 DIY open-source robotic arm kit introduced last year with LeRobot framework support. The new SO-ARM101 is still comprised of leader and follower arms but features improved wiring to prevent disconnection issues previously seen at joint 3, motors with optimized gear ratios, and a few functionality where the leader arm can now follow the follower arm in real-time, which will be used for reinforcement learning (RL) where a human can intervene and correct the robot’s actions. SO-ARM101 specifications: Degrees of Freedom (DOF) – 6 per Arm Motor control Total servo – 12x STS3215 bus servos (6x for each Arm) Leader Arm 1x (7.4V) 1:345 gear ratio motor for No.2 joints 2x (7.4V) […]
XIAO 2-channel Wi-Fi AC Energy Meter runs ESPHome on ESP32-C6 module, comes with two 100A CT clamps
Seeed Studio’s XIAO 2-channel Wi-Fi AC Energy Meter is an ESP32-C6 (XIAO ESP32-C6) powered power meter with two independent CT clamp (Current Transformer clamp) connectors to safely measure power consumption when placed around one of the wires from an AC cable. We reviewed the SONOFF POW Ring single-channel WiFi CT clamp power meter with eWelink and Home Assistant last year, and before that, we also covered models supporting multiple CT clamps, up to 16 clamps with the Emporia Vue Gen 2 energy monitor. The XIAO 2-channel Wi-Fi AC Energy Meter offers a middle ground with support for two CT clamps measuring up to 100A per channel. XIAO 2-channel Wi-Fi AC Energy Meter specifications: Wireless module – XIAO ESP32C6 board Wireless MCU – Espressif Systems ESP32-C6 CPU Single-core 32-bit RISC-V clocked up to 160 MHz Low-power RISC-V core @ up to 20 MHz Memory – 512KB SRAM, 16KB low-power SRAM Storage […]
SenseCAP Solar Node P1 and P1-Pro are low-cost outdoor Meshtastic repeaters
We’ve just written about RAKwireless solar-powered WisMesh repeaters to extend the range of Meshtastic networks, but there are now lower-cost options with Seeed Studio’s SenseCAP Solar Node P1 and P1-Pro repeaters. Both feature a solar panel, XIAO nRF52840 Plus and Wio-SX1262 modules, but the SenseCAP Solar Node P1-Pro adds GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo support with the XIAO L76K and four 18650 batteries for backup power.. SenseCAP Solar Node P1 and P1-Pro specifications Main controller – XIAO nRF52840 Plus SoC – Nordic nRF52840 Arm Cortex-M4F microcontroller @ up to 64 MHz with 1 MB flash, 256 KB SRAM, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, 802.15.4 connectivity Storage – 2 MB onboard Flash USB – USB-C port for power and programming Wireless Wio-SX1262 Module – Semtech SX1262, TXOP=22dBm@862-930MHz) Output Power – Up to +22 dBm Frequency Range – 862 MHz to 930 MHz Modulations – LoRa, (G)FSK, Long Range FHSS Sensitivity – Down to -148 […]
Battery-powered Seeed Studio IoT Button features ESP32-C6 SoC, supports ESPHome or Zigbee firmware
Seeed Studio IoT Button is an inexpensive ESP32-C6 button powered by a rechargeable 18650 battery and designed to easily and quickly control Smart Home devices over WiFi 6 or Zigbee wireless protocol. It will be especially handy to Home Assistant users since the device is pre-flashed with ESPHome firmware for easy integration (over WiFi), and the company also provides a Zigbee firmware for Zigbee Home Assistant (ZHA) integration. The hardware is pretty basic with a button, three LEDs, and a USB-C port for charging the replaceable 18650 battery. Seeed Studio IoT Button specifications: SoC – ESP32-C6FH4 CPU Single-core 32-bit RISC-V clocked up to 160 MHz Low-power RISC-V core @ up to 20 MHz Memory – 512KB SRAM, 16KB low-power SRAM Storage – 320KB ROM, 4MB flash Wireless – 2.4 GHz WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 LE/Mesh (somehow not used here), 802.15.4 radio for Zigbee 3.0 and Thread. Matter compatible. USB – […]