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The board is built around the ATSAMD21G18A-MFT, a 48-pin Arm Cortex-M0+ microcontroller running at 48 MHz with 32 KB of SRAM. Measurement is handled by the Microchip PAC1811, a single-channel 16-bit digital power monitor rated to 42 V that integrates a high-side current-sense amplifier, a bus-voltage monitor and a hardware accumulation register.

Here's how it works: every time you log in, the website asks the device to cryptographically prove your identity. The device only responds after you physically touch or press a button on it, confirming that a real person, not a script or a remote attacker, is initiating the login. This means that even if someone steals your password, they still can't get into your account without physically holding this key.

SmartTape is a pocket-sized, battery-powered digital laser measuring tool designed around this idea. It can measure distance, calculate area and volume, determine indirect height using tilt information, track maximum and minimum distances, and work as a digital spirit level. All of these functions are controlled using a single spring-return rotary knob and displayed on a 1.3-inch OLED.

Voice-controlled smart devices have transformed the way we interact with technology, and with the arrival of Espressif’s ESP32-S3 platform, building a compact and intelligent voice assistant is now within reach for makers. To explore the possibilities of on-device AI and low-power voice interaction, I designed a custom ESP32-S3-based voice assistant that integrates Espressif’s Audio Front-End (AFE) framework with the Xiaozhi MCP chatbot system. The result is a self-contained, always-on smart home controller capable of understanding and responding to natural voice commands without needing a phone.

Reliable off-grid communication has always been a challenge for hobbyists, makers, and outdoor explorers. Whether you’re hiking deep in the mountains, setting up a temporary field station, or working in disaster-prone areas with poor connectivity, staying connected without mobile networks is often critical. Traditional radios offer range but lack modern features, while Wi-Fi and cellular require infrastructure. To address this, we have designed a Meshtastic Node using ESP32, using an open-source firmware for long-range mesh communication. Building a DIY Meshtastic node with ESP32 S3 offers hobbyists and outdoor enthusiasts a cost-effective entry into off-grid mesh network communication. Unlike commercial Meshtastic LoRa devices that can cost $100+, this custom Meshtastic ESP32 is built with cost efficiency and provides complete control over hardware configuration. Building an entire Meshtastic mesh network for your community, this guide covers everything from PCB design to firmware installation.