VoltJots | Electronics and IoT

Issue 60

Author

VoltJots
September 25, 2025

Welcome to the latest edition of the VoltJots newsletter, linking you to the very best electronics and IoT news, products, and projects.

Hope you enjoy! Until next week,

VoltJots

NEWS & ARTICLES

Researchers in Japan created a thin, silicone-based optical sensor that detects pressure location and strength with high sensitivity, reacting fast and staying stable over time. It uses multiple polymer waveguides to sense touch points simultaneously and achieves fingertip-level precision in a small, flexible design.

Behind Tektronix’s 7 Series oscilloscopes lies a five-year journey of design challenges, from precision electronics to shipping logistics and fan acoustics, ensuring engineers can trust every measurement on their screens.

The UNO R4 WiFi is the first Arduino board to offer a wireless provisioning method that simplifies the initial setup by securely connecting it to Arduino Cloud and WiFi via Bluetooth and the IoT Cloud Remote app.

With more than $1 billion raised in a Series C round, Figure’s set to scale its humanoid robots for home and commercial use. The funding at a $39 billion valuation signals a major step toward bringing AI-driven robots into everyday environments.

Dive into All About Circuits’ collection of educational materials, including textbooks, video lessons, electronics calculators, and engineering homework assistance for every level.

PROJECTS & TUTORIALS

This tutorial walks you through making schematics, planning the board, and producing your initial PCB cheaply and efficiently.

Follow step-by-step how to create a custom RP2350/ESP32-C3 PCB with chip antenna, including schematic setup, design choices, file prep for manufacturing, and placing an SMT order at JLCPCB.

Whether you need to save WiFi credentials or sensor logs, the ESP32 supports multiple non-volatile storage types including its internal NVS flash, EEPROM, SPI flash, and FRAM. Each has unique pros and cons for your project’s data needs.

If you’re controlling power with an Arduino or similar, you can use MOSFETs, SSR ICs, or electromechanical relays. But which is best or appropriate? Take a look at this article, which explains how these options differ for various switching tasks.

Learn how to use the ENS160 sensor for eCO₂ and the SCD41 for real CO₂ readings by connecting both to a Seeeduino XIAO ESP32-S3 to monitor the air you breathe.

PRODUCTS

This ESP32-based AI hexapod robot uses 18 servos and inverse kinematics to move in any direction without turning, while sensors like face recognition and motion tracking help it interact autonomously. It’s open source with tutorials, and comes with Arduino programming support.

The Adafruit PCM5122 turns digital I2S streams into high-quality stereo audio effortlessly, boasting 112dB dynamic range and -93dB distortion. It works right out of the box but also supports I2C or SPI for software tweaks via MODE pins.

The Home Automation Mate uses an ESP32-S3 to connect various sensors, store your data locally, and create custom controls, all powered via USB-C or barrel jack with flexible outputs.

The new SOP Advance(E) package from Toshiba shrinks thermal resistance and on-resistance in their 80-V and 150-V N-channel MOSFETs, making them run cooler and more efficiently in switched-mode power supplies.

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