In March, Seeed Studio launched a new series of products and, as part of the event, held a giveaway for some of them. To my surprise and good fortune, I was one of the winners and received a SenseCAP Indicator. This device was introduced as a development platform for IoT, equipped with a 3.95” touchscreen and based on the ESP32S3 and RP2040 microcontrollers.
The SenseCAP Indicator features a 3.95” capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 480×480 px. Its core consists of an ESP32S3, providing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and an RP2040 from Raspberry Pi, which handles other functions within the system. Regarding connectivity and interfaces, the device offers two Grove connectors (one analog and one with I2C) and two USB-C ports, which allow for power supply and access to some I/O pins of the RP2040.
The SenseCAP Indicator is available in four models:
- D1: Basic model with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (this is the one I won).
- D1L: Same as the D1, but with support for LoRa networks, thanks to the SX1262 chip.
- D1S: Similar to the D1, but with additional sensors to measure air quality, CO₂ levels, humidity, and temperature.
- D1Pro: Includes the sensors from the D1S and LoRa support, like the D1L.
Seeed Studio shipped the SenseCAP Indicator as soon as it became available in their online store, and I was surprised by how quickly it arrived at my home (less than a week). When I opened the box, the first thing that caught my attention was its clean and minimalist design. Unlike many development platforms I have used before, this device looks more like a final product than a traditional development board. Its construction is sturdy, the screen appears to be of good quality, and the overall finish is well-made, making it appealing to both electronics enthusiasts and users with basic knowledge who simply want to monitor their environment.
When turning on the SenseCAP Indicator with its original firmware, the first thing it displays is a setup screen showing nearby Wi-Fi networks, allowing the user to select the appropriate one to connect to the internet. Once connected, the device automatically updates the time and adjusts the time zone.
Among the available interface options are:
- A screen displaying time and date, including approximate location.
- Sensor readings (depending on the model).
- Wi-Fi, display, and weather settings.
Even though the D1 model does not have built-in sensors, its Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and touchscreen make it an ideal platform for custom IoT projects. The combination of ESP32S3 and RP2040, along with compatibility with external interfaces, makes it an excellent choice for innovative developments in the field of the Internet of Things.
Furthermore, considering that the D1 model does not have internal sensors, the logical step would be to test it with external sensors taking advantage of the Grove connectors.
More information:
Get Started with SenseCAP Indicator | Seeed Studio Wiki
SenseCAP Indicator D1, 4-Inch Touch Screen IoT development platform powered by ESP32S3 & RP2040 – Seeed Studio