Rev Adrian Kennard (RevK) has developed open-source hardware ESP32-S3 IoT boards with WAGO connectors for connecting LED strips, buttons, and other GPIO modules. Originally designed for an Iron Man suit’s gloves and helmet, these boards offer more flexibility than soldered modules and greater reliability than GPIO headers or screw terminals, which can be affected by vibrations. WAGO connectors are ideal for prototyping and wearables due to their ease of module swapping.
The “Battery powered controller development board,” designed for gloves, includes:
– ESP32-S3-MINI-1-N4-R2
– ESP32-S3 dual-core Xtensa LX7 processor
– WiFi 4, Bluetooth 5.0
– 2MB PSRAM, 4MB QSPI flash, PCB antenna
– 1x USB-C port for power and programming
– 3-pin WAGO connector for LED strips (3.3V, GND, DI for 5V connections)
– 2-pin WAGO connector for input buttons
– Power via 5V USB-C or 2-pin LiPo battery connector
– Dimensions: 41 x 24 mm
The “multi-port controller development board” for the helmet/suit offers:
– Same ESP32-S3-MINI-1-N4-R2 module
– MicroSD card slot for WAV audio files
– 2x TDK ICS 43434 MEMS microphones, 2x MAX98357A speaker drivers
– USB Type-C for power and programming
– WAGO connectors for 2 GPIO inputs, 4 LED strip controllers, 2 speaker connectors
– Onboard status LED (WS2812)
– Dimensions: 61 x 42 mm
KiCad files for both boards and C firmware using ESP-IDF framework are available on CodeBerg. The projects use Bluetooth LE for communication, with audio played from microSD cards, aiming to retrofit an Iron Man costume. There is also an open-source 32mm ring with 88 WS2812 RGB LEDs for the glove board, with KiCad files publicly released.
Glove, helmet, and LED ring boards are sold on Lectroncz, priced at $20.04, $40.07, and $13.36 respectively. They are also listed on Tindie but temporarily out of stock due to recent issues with site ownership changes affecting payments, though the site and payment issues are being resolved.
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