VoltJots | Electronics and IoT

Issue 77

Author

VoltJots
January 22, 2026

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

Explore the newest AI trends and cutting-edge innovations showcased at CES 2026, plus exclusive behind-closed-doors updates aimed at programmers and electronics pros.

With edge AI enabling privacy-focused, instant device decisions and Matter unifying diverse smart home gear, engineers now have new tools to create intelligent, integrated homes beyond isolated automation pockets.

The asset tracking market is growing fast, but batteries cause cost and reliability issues. Using energy harvesting lets tags run continuously without maintenance, keeping supply chains running smoothly.

Stanford researchers have found that adding an ultra-thin silver layer to solid electrolytes makes solid-state batteries charge faster, last longer, and stay safer.

Mostek’s MK4116 and MK4164 DRAMs nailed the 8-bit era by combining dense cells with smart address multiplexing, making memory simpler and more reliable for early microcomputers and PCs.

The AI HAT+ 2 for Raspberry Pi 5 replaces the original with hardware designed to run generative AI models, enabling tasks like voice control and scene understanding using vision-language processing.

SICK’s PTA pressure sensor combines a rugged ceramic cell and fully welded stainless steel housing to withstand pressure spikes and harsh media. It connects via Bluetooth for quick setup and carries hygiene and ATEX hazardous area approvals for industrial environments.

PROJECTS & TUTORIALS

These 13 projects mix machine learning, computer vision, and edge tech to solve real problems—from tracking suspicious activities with AI cameras to building mind-controlled prosthetic arms and multilingual voice chats powered by ChatGPT.

By tapping into the OBD-II port, this project lets you monitor CAN data and brake signals, then push live vehicle diagnostics to the cloud through a Blues Notecard’s cellular connection.

The Arduino App Lab lets you create apps that run on both the microcontroller and microcomputer of the Uno Q, using C++ and Python together. In this article, you’ll see how to build a simple app that links the two processors and explore alternative editors to overcome App Lab’s current limits.

The eSticky V2 is a compact device that goes beyond notes, showing clocks, to-do lists, YouTube subscriber counts, and countdown timers, all powered by a custom PCB with an ESP32S3 and a 2.9-inch e-ink display.

Using an ultrasonic sensor, LEDs, an LCD, and a buzzer, this project monitors distance in real time and filters data for stable readings. It categorises proximity into three zones with colour-coded LEDs and buzzer tones that ramp up as you get closer.

This escape room lock-box uses a quirky Cheap Yellow Display touchscreen and an ESP32 to create a flexible puzzle interface.

Instead of numbers, this clock lights up blocks sized by Fibonacci numbers to display time visually. It runs on a Raspberry Pi Pico W with addressable WS2812B LEDs, mounted on a custom PCB inside a 3D-printed enclosure.

Using a 555 timer set as an oscillator and a CD4017 decade counter, this circuit lights up LEDs one by one in a running sequence. You can tweak the speed with a potentiometer to create a smooth, adjustable chase effect.

PRODUCTS

Designed for anyone typing lots of equations, Mathpad gives you direct access to common and complex symbols without searching online. It’s open hardware with modes for plaintext, LaTeX, and office editors, plus easy switch swapping and symbol remapping.

Rohm’s BD60210FV and BD64950EFJ brushed DC motor drivers combine ultra-low standby current with integrated H-bridge outputs, letting designers reuse compact motor stages that stay protected and controlled while sipping power when off.

The new XIAO ESP32-C5 offers dual-band WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 LE, Zigbee, and Thread in a small USB-C form, upgrades CPU speed to 240 MHz, doubles flash storage to 8MB, and features u.FL antenna and multiple GPIO pads for flexible IoT designs.

The Waveshare RP2350 Devkit features a 1.85-inch round capacitive touchscreen, built-in microphone, 6-axis IMU, GPIO header, microSD slot, and USB-C port, all powered by the Raspberry Pi RP2350A chip.

Source: electronics-lab

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