Time flies, and 2023 has come to an end. M5Stack's products and services have accompanied users worldwide throughout the year. 2023 was a year of continuous innovation for M5Stack, with 76 new products released at a rate of one per week. As we set sail for 2024, let's look back at the brilliance of the past year and unveil the top 10 best-selling products of 2023!

 1. ATOM LITE

Once again, Atom Lite tops this year's list of best-selling products, following on from last year's success. Launched in 2020, Atom Lite's outstanding features and enduring vitality have won over a wide range of users worldwide.

Atom Lite user case @Peter Neufeld

Atom Lite is a compact development board, measuring only 24 * 24mm, which provides more GPIO pins for users to customize freely. It is particularly suitable for embedded smart hardware development.

This development board uses the ESP32-PICO-D4 solution as the main controller, integrating Wi-Fi module and built-in 3D antenna. It has 4MB of SPI flash memory, as well as Infra-Red (IR) infrared, RGB LED, buttons, and GROVE/HY2.0 interfaces. Additionally, the onboard Type-C interface enables fast program uploading and downloading, and there is an M2 screw hole on the back for fixation.

2. ATOM ECHO

Also released in 2020, Atom Echo has undoubtedly become a dark horse product this year. In 2023, with the power of Home Assistant and ChatGPT, the Atom Echo has sold out again and again. The ability to connect to ChatGPT, act as a personal voice assistant with customisable wake words, and do it all for just $13 makes it a must-have smart home device.

Atom Echo voice assistant use case @Home Assistant

Atom Echo is a programmable smart speaker. Despite its small size of only 24 * 24 * 17mm, it boasts impressive functionality. With the built-in wireless capabilities of the ESP32, it can easily connect to devices such as smartphones and tablets for seamless music playback. It can also stream specified media music via Wi-Fi.

To facilitate voice functionality, Atom Echo integrates an STT (Speech-to-Text) service internally. Users only need to burn specified firmware to enable this feature and perform various operations through voice commands. Users can also write code to integrate Atom Echo with cloud platforms like AWS and Google, utilizing the built-in microphone and speaker for voice interaction, enabling certain AI capabilities, such as voice control, intelligent conversations, and IoT functionalities.

The speaker has a built-in RGB LED (SK6812) that visually displays the connection status. In addition to being used as a smart speaker, it still retains the control capabilities of the ATOM series and can be connected to external devices via the GROVE interface. The M2 screw hole on the back facilitates secure installation.

3. M5STICKC PLUS

M5StickC Plus is a powerful, portable and expandable development board. Since its release in 2020, it has consistently been at the top of various best-seller lists. At the end of 2022, we welcomed M5StickC Plus2 and officially said goodbye to M5StickC Plus.

M5StickC Plus is a powerful microcontroller module that is compact and easy to carry. Despite its small size, M5StickC Plus integrates rich hardware resources, including infrared, RTC, microphone, LED, IMU, buttons, buzzers, and PMU.

M5StickC Plus is equipped with the ESP32-PICO-D4 processor, providing powerful computing and communication capabilities. It features a 1.14-inch color TFT display that can show images, text, and user interfaces, offering a good interactive experience. Additionally, M5StickC Plus has a built-in battery for standalone use, eliminating the need for an external power source.

The module is equipped with various sensors, including an accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer, enabling it to sense and measure object motion and environmental conditions. It also has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing data transmission and remote control with other devices. The interface supports HAT and Unit series products. This compact and exquisite development tool inspires endless creative possibilities.

4. M5CORE2

M5Core2 is the second-generation host of the M5Stack Core series, featuring an ESP32 chip and a touchscreen. It is known for its easy stacking, expandability, and rapid development capabilities. Since its release in 2020, Core2 has consistently been a hot seller in both domestic and international markets, loved by a large number of users. Amazon Web Services (AWS) and M5Stack have collaborated to launch Core2 for AWS. Now, we have the Core2 V1.1 version.

気分転換と運動を兼ねて、1ヶ月前に自転車を買って夕方に走っているのですが、今日は超音波風速計を載せてみました。

向かい風や追い風や横風で思っていたよりスピードに影響が出ます。
色々センシングすれば漕ぐパワーとかも測れますかね？🚴‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/WolbxzlhYh

— STRATOVISION🎈気球の開発 (@strvsn) August 12, 2023

M5Core2 is a versatile development kit with a 2-inch IPS touchscreen display. It is built around the ESP32 microcontroller, which provides Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. The Core2 module offers a variety of built-in features, including an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, speaker, microphone, and more.

The development kit supports UIFlow, a graphical programming interface, as well as Arduino and MicroPython. This allows users to choose their preferred programming language and easily develop applications. The modular design of M5Core2 enables stacking of additional modules, called Units, on top of the base module, expanding its capabilities and creating custom projects.

M5Core2 also includes a built-in 390mAh battery, enabling portable and standalone use. It has a USB Type-C interface for charging and programming, as well as an SD card slot for extended storage.

5. ULTRASONIC I2C Unit

Ultrasonic I2C Unit is an ultrasonic ranging sensor with an I2C communication interface. The hardware features the RCWL-9620 ultrasonic ranging chip paired with a 16mm probe, enabling precise ranging within a range of 2cm to 450cm (with an accuracy of ±2%). As an I2C slave device, the sensor can share the bus resources with other I2C devices, allowing for efficient use of IO pins. It is ideal for applications such as obstacle avoidance in robots and liquid-level detection.

#M5Stack 距離を測るUnitを Arduinoで比較してみる。

ULTRASONIC I2C pic.twitter.com/6iYs7nWo7H

— タカオ(Takao) (@mongonta555) July 28, 2022

6. ENVIII Unit

ENV III is an environmental sensor that integrates the SHT30 and QMP6988 sensors, used for detecting temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure data. The SHT30 is a high-precision, low-power digital temperature and humidity sensor that supports the I2C interface (SHT30: 0x44, QMP6988: 0x70). The QMP6988 is an absolute pressure sensor designed for mobile applications, known for its high accuracy and stability, making it suitable for environmental data collection and monitoring projects.

富士山でM5stickCとEnvIII Unitで気圧を測定中。現在9合目659hPa #富士山 #M5Stack pic.twitter.com/4Y0W45PkT0

— みきひろし (@miki_hiroshi_77) July 23, 2022

7. AtomS3

AtomS3 is a highly integrated programmable controller based on the ESP32-S3 main controller. It features an ESP32-S3 main controller with built-in Wi-Fi capability and an 8M onboard flash memory. The controller also includes a 0.85-inch IPS screen with programmable buttons below it. Additionally, it is equipped with a 5V to 3.3V circuit, a 6-axis gyroscope sensor (MPU6886), an onboard Type-C interface (for power and firmware download), an HY2.0-4P expansion port, and six GPIO pins and power pins reserved at the bottom for easy expansion of various applications.

With a product size of only 24x24x13mm, the AtomS3 is perfect for various embedded smart device applications. It provides powerful functionality and flexible expandability, making it suitable for developing a wide range of embedded systems and smart devices.

#M5Stack #ATOMS3
「ｴｱﾘｱﾙ･ｽﾀｯｸﾁｬﾝ」or「ｴｰﾙｽﾀｯｸﾁｬﾝ」。

見た目から期待した通りATOM Matrixと同じ形状なのでそのまま載せられました。
但し、6軸慣性センサー(MPU6886)を高速で読み出したり測定域を変えたりするために、ATOM_S3ライブラリに若干の修正が必要でした。 pic.twitter.com/cxEPzmVa6b

— 山口辰久 (@qzy13700) May 7, 2023

8. PIR Motion Unit

PIR Motion Unit is a human infrared sensor unit. It belongs to the "passive infrared detector" category and works by detecting the infrared radiation emitted or reflected by humans or objects. When infrared radiation is detected, it outputs a high-level signal and maintains a delay for a certain period (keeping the signal high and allowing for repeated triggering) until the trigger signal disappears (returns to a low level). The PIR Motion Unit is suitable for various applications that require detecting human activity and motion, including security, automation, energy management, and people counting.

ATOMS3 Man
PIR検出してない時 たまにウィンク
ATOM EchoとBusCに検出通知
🔊 ATOM Echo + 4Ω3W AquesTalk#M5Stack #ATOMS3 #PIR #レゴ pic.twitter.com/PkY3jchSHH

— 老電 (@elec_leak) March 31, 2023

9. BASIC V2.7

Basic is the first-generation host of M5Stack, offering high cost-effectiveness and a rich collection of case resources. Through continuous optimization and development, it has now iterated to the V2.7 version.

Basic V2.7 features a 2.0-inch color TFT LCD screen with a resolution of 320x240, which can display graphical interfaces and text information. It is also equipped with three programmable buttons, a programmable touchscreen, a speaker, and a set of expansion pins to support the connection and expansion of various peripheral devices.

This development board uses the ESP32 Internet of Things chip, integrates Wi-Fi capability, and has 16MB of SPI flash memory. As a low-power dual-core processor, it performs exceptionally well in various application scenarios.

ハンド追跡アプリで、8種類のジェスチャー検出を試してみる。
ジェスチャー名を M5Stack Basic に表示する処理を追加。35FPSくらい出るのでレスポンスも良い感じ。#akarirobot #OAKD #M5Stack #HandTracking pic.twitter.com/sTTKsL6GLJ

— mktechlab_net (@mktechlab_net) May 7, 2023

10. ATOM U

ATOM U is a compact and flexible Internet of Things voice recognition development board. It uses the Espressif ESP32 main control chip with two low-power Xtensa® 32-bit LX6 microprocessors, operating at a high frequency of up to 240MHz. ATOM U integrates USB-A interface, IR emitter, and programmable LED lights, allowing for plug-and-play convenience for program uploading, downloading, and debugging. It also includes a Wi-Fi module and a built-in digital microphone (SPM1423 PDM) for clear audio recording, making it suitable for various IoT human-machine interaction and speech-to-text (STT) input recognition scenarios.

ATOM U supports low-code development and provides features such as UIFlow graphical programming platform, script programming, no-compilation execution, and cloud pushing. It is fully compatible with mainstream development platforms such as Arduino and ESP32-IDF.

ATOM U has a high level of integration, including USB-A programming/power interface, IR emitter, programmable RGB light, and buttons. The professionally tuned RF circuit ensures stable and reliable wireless communication quality.

M5Stack社の新商品Atom Uが届いたので早速システムに組み込んだ。
外部入出力がGrove+シリアル通信くらいでいいからUSB給電でWifiで通信させて動かしたいときにコンパクトに作れていいね。https://t.co/s1WfhV1p72 pic.twitter.com/X1G7tQVd2K

— 五味 (@GomiHgy) January 8, 2022

M5Stack's success is inextricably linked to our community's support, and we thank you for it. We wish you a Happy New Year! We will continue to provide more and better services to meet your needs in the coming year.

 The Build2gether Inclusive Innovation Challenge, hosted by Europe's top university ETH Zurich and organised by the world-renowned hardware community Hackster.io, recently concluded. The competition, in collaboration with partners M5Stack, Google, Blues, PCBWay and Useful Sensors, offered a total prize pool of $40,000.

This global competition aimed to encourage people to use innovative technology to help individuals with physical disabilities overcome challenges in their daily lives and build a more inclusive and equitable future. The competition received a total of 194 submissions, with many participants choosing M5Stack products. In this blog post, we have selected some of the award-winning projects to explore the development stories behind them!

 1.Haptic Vision Assist

This project uses M5Stack's controllers and sensors to provide simple, cost-effective and efficient obstacle warnings using infrared laser and haptic technology to visually impaired users to aid their mobility.

The author, Colonel Panic, witnessed the daily challenges faced by visually impaired people while living with his fiancée and her son, both of whom have inherited Retinitis Pigmentosa, a genetic eye disease. Motivated to help improve the lives of visually impaired people, Colonel Panic learned to use M5Stack products and UIFlow within a year. To quickly become proficient in the use of M5Stack, he challenged himself to create a prototype for a new idea every day.

Project link: https://www.hackster.io/colonelpanic/haptic-vision-assist-ac670f

2. Wall Early Warning System for Swimming Laps

This project uses Bluetooth beacon technology to warn visually impaired users when approaching the pool wall, preventing accidental collisions due to poor visibility while swimming.

Have you ever hit a wall while swimming? What about doing the backstroke? Ouch! Now imagine having poor eyesight; everything becomes even more challenging! Inspired by personal experience and discussions with disabled mentors after joining a competitive group, author David Barrett came up with the idea for this project.

Project link: https://www.hackster.io/3DPrinterDoctor/wall-early-warning-system-for-swimming-laps-4ba356

 3.Intercom and Smart Controller Mounted on Wheelchair and Roll

This project allows people who use wheelchairs or walkers to receive real-time doorbell notifications via Telegram, see who is at the door, and remotely control door access.

Imagine hearing the doorbell ring and feeling nervous. You might even rush to open the door. These actions may seem simple for able-bodied people, but they are inconvenient for people who use wheelchairs. This project effectively addresses this pain point.

Project link:

https://www.hackster.io/ecasti/intercom-and-smart-controller-mounted-on-wheelchair-and-roll-9a4691

 4. Motion Controller for People with Limited Arm Function

This project focuses on developing a motion controller for gaming purposes specifically designed for individuals with limited arm function due to conditions such as muscular dystrophy. For PC gamers, the mouse is a crucial peripheral device. However, mice require a flat surface to function properly and demand users to sit in front of a desk, constantly extending their arms, which can be challenging for some individuals with disabilities.

Therefore, Yahya Khalid created a simple controller using the compact AtomS3, which can effectively replace a mouse. With this device, users can adjust sensitivity to meet their specific needs, and hand position or orientation is not limited, accommodating individuals with restricted hand movements.

Project link: https://www.hackster.io/yahya-khalid/motion-controller-for-people-with-limited-arm-function-4e15d3

 5. Cracked road detection for better travel

This project can help people who use wheelchairs to be aware of road potholes in advance to avoid accidental falls while travelling.

One of the challenges faced by wheelchair users is encountering cracked roads, where if the user is not concentrating, they could fall into a pothole and potentially injure themselves. Hendra Kusumah aims to create a solution that is easy to build and program, requires no soldering, and costs less than $50.

Project link:

https://www.hackster.io/hendra/cracked-road-detection-for-better-travel-e00340

6. Cheza Pona

This project is an innovative gaming platform that redefines inclusive skill development, specifically designed for people with disabilities such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy. Cheza Pona provides dynamic and adaptive gaming experiences.

According to a 2017 study by the World Health Organization, only 1 in 10 people with disabilities in low-income countries have access to the assistive technology they need. In response to this challenge, Ryan Kiprotich and Mergery Wanjiru proposed a solution called Cheza Pona, which means "play better" in Swahili. They transformed the typically monotonous physical therapy into an enjoyable gaming experience. Using the low-cost M5StickC, they created a game where players can use the built-in inertial measurement unit sensor to move sideways and avoid blocks in the game to score points.

Project link: https://www.hackster.io/512307/cheza-pona-2d0c47

7. Move-It!

This project turns M5StickC int to an IMU-based gaming device - a small wearable device whose movement can provide input to games.

The project was mainly aimed at developing something small which can help people with Muscular Dystrophy play games without over-exerting and tiring out faster. I won the M5Stack Gift card and ordered the M5StickC and a mini dual button unit. The idea was to use IMU input from the M5StickC as serial data and process it as keyboard input.

Project link: https://www.hackster.io/nvraghavendra2000/move-it-2371ed

Modular IoT system construction offers high flexibility and scalability as the developers can quickly build prototype systems using existing modules to save time in design and development. It assists developers in swiftly developing and validating their concepts and works directly from idea to product, allowing developers to create various types of devices and solutions more quickly and economically.

M5Stack’s products have a stackable design, providing standardized interfaces for easy construction of the system, when combined with the intuitive visual programming interface of UIFlow, it significantly reduces the technical barriers of system design and development. Even developers with limited hardware and software knowledge can quickly build powerful IoT devices.

Setting up the UIFlow Environment

Taking the MStack Basic as an example, the first step is to refer to the UIFlow firmware burning tutorial and download M5Burner to burn the UIFlow firmware to the controller.

Building an IoT System

If we need to detect air quality. We can stack the PM2.5 Air Quality Module  to the MStack Basic.

Then, in UIFlow, click on "PM2.5" and select "Load Examples" to open the sample code.

Click "Run," and we will see the air quality displayed on the screen.

When we want to drive a stepper motor to actuate certain mechanisms when the PM2.5 concentration is high. We can stack the GRBL  Module.

Next, find the code blocks corresponding to the GRBL module in UIFlow.

Set the motor drive mode at the beginning of the code, here we set it to distance mode.

In the main loop of the program, add a condition based on the PM2.5 concentration, using the value stored in SP for simplicity. When the concentration exceeds 55 (μg/m³), the stepper motor starts rotating. When it falls below 55, the stepper motor stops rotating.

Click "Run," and the system will operate as we set.

Conclusion

In summary, the stackable modular design provides a flexible, efficient, and scalable approach to IoT system development. When combined with the visual and user-friendly programming environment of UIFlow, it makes system construction easier, reduces development costs and risks, and facilitates rapid prototyping and feature expansion.