Build Rugged IoT Prototypes With the ESP32-Based Hornbill System

If you want to build an electronics project, you may decide to use a development board. From there, you’ll need some sort of prototyping space and different types of sensors, and finally some kind of enclosure, so it doesn’t look like a wiry mess.

Getting all these elements together can be a challenge, but the Hornbill system — now available as a fully-funded Crowd Supply campaign — combines everything in three components. Their breadboard-friendly, ESP-WROOM-32-based dev board forms the heart of the platform, with a dual-core processor, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, a micro USB-to-serial port, and a single-cell LiPo charger.

This can then be soldered onto a custom proto board — that includes a few extra bits of its own, such as a microSD slot, temperature and humidity sensors, IR transmitters and receivers, and ample prototyping space — which in turn fits into an IP67-rated waterproof case.

Beyond that, there’s even a circular, Adafruit FLORA-like alternative designed specifically for wearable projects, which combines an ESP-WROOM32 with a LiPo connector, and requires the use of crocodile clips to access I/O.

Hardware aside, the team says that they will also provide cross-platform apps for Android and iOS, and that Hornbill boards will be able to run a Hornbill IO stack for cloud connectivity built on Amazon AWS IoT.

Ready to go from idea to prototype to something presentable in no time? You may want to check out this ESP32-based kit on Crowd Supply!