RISC-V Rhapsody: Meet the ESP32-C6 Thing+!
SparkFun's newest Thing+ board is here, equipped with the powerhouse ESP32-C6 module and it's accompanied by the new MOSFET Power Switch and Buck Regulator! That's not all, though, because all XRP Kits parts are now available individually!
Welcome back to another Friday Product Post here at SparkFun Electronics! We're going to be straight up with you, this is a HUGE week for new products for us. We start with a brand new Thing+ board that is equipped with Espressif's ESP32-C6 RISC-V single-core module that is capable of communicating over WiFi, Bluetooth®, Zigbee, and Thread! Following that, we have a brand new MOSFET Power Switch and Buck Regulator to help you control high-voltage items. Finally, as announced yesterday, we have several XRP Kit items. These include a DIY Kit (sans chassis), a standalone chassis, and the XRP Control Board! We also have each individual part that is included in the kit as well, so make sure to check those out too! Let's jump in and take a closer look at all of our new products for the week.
ESP32-C6 comes to Thing+!
Packed with cutting-edge technology and housed in a compact, user-friendly footprint, the SparkFun ESP32-C6 Thing Plus empowers your wireless creations like never before. At its heart lies the powerful ESP32-C6 WROOM-1-N16 module from Espressif™, boasting a RISC-V single-core processor, more than enough flash memory, and a diverse selection of wireless connectivity options. Dive into the realms of 2.4 GHz WiFi 6, Bluetooth® 5.3, Zigbee and Thread (802.15.4), unlocking a world of possibilities for your projects.
Does your microcontroller need to control a high-voltage item, like a 12V LED strip, while also needing to be powered? Do you want to avoid having multiple power adapters and microcontrollers for your project? The MOSFET Power Switch and Buck Regulator (Low-Side) is one product we needed at SparkFun, so we figured other folks might have the same problem. Power the board with up to 12V and control up to 10A, all while providing a sweet 3.3V to your control board.
This XRP DIY Kit is the hardware arm of the XRP. At the heart of it is the XRP Controller Board, which includes an on-board Raspberry Pi® Pico W featuring the RP2040 microcontroller; low-power accelerometer + gyroscope 6-DoF IMU (LSM6DSOX from STMicroelectronics®); a Qwiic® connector for easy integration of sensors and accessories; two dual-channel motor drivers for four motors total; two servo headers; a momentary button switch; and more. The kit also includes an ultrasonic rangefinder, line follower, two motors with encoders, servo motor, Qwiic cables, two casters, two o-rings, and a battery holder. The robot is normally powered by 4xAA batteries (not included in the kit), but any supply up to 11V is supported via the barrel connector.
This more economical DIY version of the XRP Kit does NOT come with a chassis. Encouraging you to print and use your own.
At the heart of the Experiential Robotics Platform (XRP) lies the powerful yet easy-to-use XRP Controller Board. This board is the brains of the XRP, packed with features that empower you to bring your robotic creations to life. Connect your robot to the world wirelessly with the built-in Raspberry Pi Pico W, enabling seamless WiFi and Bluetooth® connectivity for remote control and data exchange. Navigate complex maneuvers with precision thanks to the onboard 6-axis motion sensor, which tracks your robot's every move and orientation. Control up to four motors independently with the integrated dual-channel drivers, perfect for powering wheels, tracks, or even robotic arms. You can even attach up to two servo motors to add a gripper or manipulator for precise and controlled movements.
Here is a simple, low-cost servo for all your mechatronic needs. This little guy is able to take in 6 volts and deliver 1.5kg/cm (at 6V). of maximum torque at 0.09 sec/60° (at 6V).
This is the HC-SR04-33 ultrasonic distance sensor. This economical sensor provides 2cm to 400cm of non-contact measurement functionality with a ranging accuracy that can reach up to 3mm. Each HC-SR04-33 module includes an ultrasonic transmitter, a receiver and a control circuit.
A line follower sensor gives your robot the ability to detect lines or nearby objects. The sensor works by detecting reflected light coming from its own infrared LED. By measuring the amount of reflected infrared light, it can detect transitions from light to dark (lines) or even objects directly in front of it.
These are a pair of DG01D-E hobby motors with encoder with a hall speed encoder. The motor requires a voltage between 4.5-9V, has a gearbox ratio of 1:48 and a speed of 140RPM at 4.5V. The voltage between positive and negative is determined according to the power supply voltage of the single chip microcomputer used, generally 3.3V or 5V is used.
These basic nylon plastic casters measure 1in. in diameter and offer a simple solution for robotics mobility. These caster balls provide smooth, effortless movement.
Give your robot some traction with this 2-pack of rubber O-rings. Measuring 55mm outer diameter, 45mm inner diameter, and 5mm wire diameter, they provide a reliable and versatile solution for a two-wheel robotics platform.
ESP32-C6 is Espressif’s first WiFi 6 SoC integrating 2.4 GHz WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5 (LE) and the 802.15.4 protocol. It features an industry-leading RF performance, with reliable security features and multiple memory resources for IoT products. It consists of a high-performance (HP) 32-bit RISC-V processor, which can be clocked up to 160 MHz and a low-power (LP) 32-bit RISC-V processor, which can be clocked up to 20 MHz. It has a 320KB ROM, a 512KB SRAM, and works with external flash. It comes with 30 (QFN40) or 22 (QFN32) programmable GPIOs, with support for SPI, UART, I2C, I2S, RMT, TWAI, PWM, SDIO, Motor Control PWM. It also packs a 12-bit ADC and a temperature sensor.
The ESP32-C6 Mini module is a smaller variation of the standard WROOM module with 1 less GPIO than the WROOM module above.
Phew! That's it for this week. As always, we can't wait to see what you make! Shoot us a tweet @sparkfun, or let us know on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn. Please be safe out there, be kind to one another! We'll be back with more new products next week so make sure to check back then. Happy hacking!
