Build an Open-Source Word Clock with XIAO ESP32-C6, Part 1
What if a clock could tell the time with words instead of digits? That is the idea behind my latest open source hardware project ANAVI Word Clock. It combines electronics, 3D printing, and open-source software to create a different kind of desk clock.
At the heart of the project is an 8x8 NeoPixel panel with 64 addressable RGB LEDs in total. The particular NeoPixel LEDs are WS2812B and work at 5V DC. They can be controlled individually, making it possible to illuminate different words, or even individual letters, in different colors. The 3D printed case has been printed with black PETG and internally with white PETG for better illumination of the letters.
The project started with the ANAVI Miracle Emitter, an open-source hardware development board for controlling NeoPixels with the XIAO ESP32-C3. For the Word Clock, I decided to create a smaller custom board built around the XIAO ESP32-C6 because of the extended connectivity options and the built-in antenna which makes the assembly of the clock easier. Both XIAO ESP32-C3 and XIAO ESP32-C6 have the same form factor and both have Espressif microcontrollers based on the open instruction set RISC-V.
This is only Part 1 of the project. The next steps include improving the 3D-printed case, including adding a cover for easy access to the RTC add-on board. I will also continue improving the open-source firmware, available as an Arduino sketch together with the Arduino ecosystem of libraries.
