Chaihuo Makerspace Past Events

Founded in 2011, Chaihuo Makerspace is the first makerspace in Shenzhen and the second in China. As a globally recognized force in the maker movement, we bridge cutting-edge technology with grassroots ingenuity, hosting 100+ free events annually across our Shenzhen and Chengdu spaces. From AI hardware prototyping to sustainable design sprints, we empower everyone to turn ideas into tangible impact through collaborative making.

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So What Happens in Our Vibrant Community​​?

Experience the spirit of “Learn by Doing” at our diverse gatherings:

• Workshops​​: Build IoT devices, train TinyML models, or craft smart textiles—no expertise needed.
• Tech Talks​​: Hear industry pioneers decode trends in AI, robotics, and open-source hardware.
• Hackathons​​: Collaborate in 48-hour innovation sprints tackling real-world challenges.

Most events are free and open to all. Explore our past programs and join our mission to democratize technology through creativity!

​​From 0-1, build your own AI home assistant

• Time: June 28th, 14:00 – 18:00
• Location: Shenzhen
  

​​Recap: Building Your Custom AI Assistant – From Code to Physical Interaction​​

On June 28, 2025, Chaihuo Makerspace hosted an intensive, hands-on workshop that empowered participants to break free from the limitations of commercial AI assistants. Using the open-source XiaoAI platform and SenseCAP Watcher hardware, attendees built fully customizable voice assistants from scratch, flashing firmware, deploying local backend services, and integrating personalized LLM APIs like Volcano Engine and Tongyi Qianwen. The highlight came when participants connected their creations to Home Assistant, enabling real-world control of smart home devices through voice commands they programmed themselves.

Where Open-Source Meets Tangible Innovation​​

This 4-hour deep dive transformed abstract coding skills into physical interactions, as developers gave their AI assistants unique personalities and capabilities. Participants left with fully functional prototypes that demonstrated how open-source solutions can outperform proprietary systems in customization and privacy. The workshop proved that with the right tools (all provided onsite), anyone can create AI assistants that truly reflect individual needs rather than corporate defaults – marking a significant step toward democratizing AI hardware development.

​​”Father of XiaoZhi AI” and Chairman of Shifang Ronghai, “Brother Xia,” Unveils the Untold Story Behind XiaoZhi AI’s Creation​

• Time: June 27th, 19:00 – 21:30
• Location: Shenzhen
• Speaker: Huang Guan, Cai Ziyi, Su He
  
  

​​​​Recap: Experiencing the Emotional Intelligence Revolution with XiaoAI​​

On June 27, 2025, Seeed Studio partnered with XiaoAI’s development team at Shifangronghai to host an exclusive showcase at Chaihuo Makerspace, revealing how this GitHub Trending-topping project redefined AI companionship. Attendees experienced firsthand how XiaoAI combines voice interaction with emotional modeling through live demos of weather queries, smart home controls, and RAG-powered venue navigation using Seeed’s Watcher device. Founder Huang Guan (“Brother Xia”) shared insights into XiaoAI’s rapid global adoption by 40,000+ developers, while Seeed engineers demonstrated its edge-computing applications in education and IoT.

Where AI Transcended Tool to Become True Companion​​

The event highlighted XiaoAI’s real-world impact – from processing 900,000 daily conversations to controlling 100,000+ hardware devices. Participants explored its full technical stack through hands-on sessions with HomeAssistant integration and database query functions, witnessing how emotional AI bridges digital and physical spaces. This gathering proved that the future of human-machine interaction lies not in cold efficiency, but in technology that understands – and responds to – our emotional needs.

Meshtastic Workshop

• Time: June 14th, 14:30 – 17:30
• Location: Shenzhen
• Speaker: Didier, Manuel, Chen Xi, Chen Ganghao, Yan Zhipeng
  
  

​​Recap: Pioneering Off-Grid Communication at China’s First Official Meshtastic Workshop​​

On June 14, 2025, Seeed Studio partnered with Meshtastic to host China’s inaugural official Meshtastic Workshop at Chaihuo Makerspace in Shenzhen. This landmark event brought together Meshtastic’s core team—including business lead Didier and MUI developer Manuel—with Chinese developers and radio enthusiasts for hands-on LoRa mesh networking. Participants gained practical experience in device configuration, emergency communication simulations, and deploying Seeed’s open-source Mission Pack for crisis response, all while exploring how this global open-source project grew from 1,000 to 200k users.

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Building China’s Decentralized Communication Ecosystem​​

The workshop marked a strategic milestone in Meshtastic’s China expansion, featuring live demonstrations of encrypted peer-to-peer messaging and cross-node broadcasting. Attendees joined the newly formed MeshCN community, connecting with ham radio operators and IoT engineers to explore applications in disaster relief and outdoor adventures. With exclusive access to Meshtastic’s technical team and Seeed’s hardware solutions, this event laid the foundation for China’s grassroots off-grid communication movement—proving that decentralized networks can thrive even in our hyper-connected world.

​​Digital Intangible Cultural Heritage Signage Workshop​

• Time: May 25th, 9:00 – 18:00
• Location: Shenzhen
• Speaker: Chaihuo members
  
  

​​Recap: Breathing Digital Life into Intangible Cultural Heritage​​

On May 25th, Chaihuo Makerspace hosted an innovative “Digital Heritage Signage” workshop that merged centuries-old intangible cultural heritage (ICH) with cutting-edge AI hardware. Participants transformed traditional crafts like cloisonné, Manchu embroidery, lacquer fans, and silhouette cutting into interactive digital exhibits using the XIAO ESP32S3 Sense development board and SenseCraft AI platform. Through hands-on sessions in hardware principles, cultural element extraction, and programming, attendees created tactile, visual, and auditory ICH installations—some of which were selected for display at Maker Faire Shenzhen 2025.

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Where Tradition Met Technology​​

This 7-hour immersive experience proved that even beginners could develop functional digital signage. The workshop not only equipped participants with practical AI deployment skills but also redefined how cultural narratives can be shared through responsive displays—from emotion-recognizing boards to “talking” heritage exhibits. By bridging ICH guardianship with maker technology, the event demonstrated how digital tools can amplify—rather than replace—the soul of traditional craftsmanship.

Boundary-Crossing Experiment: In the Age of AI Socialization, Do We Still Need Authentic Human Connections?​

• Time: May 24th, 14:00 – 16:00
• Location: Chengdu
  
  

​​Recap: The Psychology & Technology Crossover Experiment at Chaihuo​​

On May 24, 2025, Chaihuo Makerspace in Chengdu hosted a groundbreaking immersive social experiment exploring the intersection of human relationships and AI-driven interactions. Inspired by Harvard’s 85-year study on human happiness, the event featured interactive sessions where participants mapped their social connections, compared AI-generated “high EQ” responses with authentic human interactions, and debated whether digital personas can truly replace genuine emotional bonds. Through guided psychological exercises and real-time social dilemma role-playing, attendees experienced firsthand the nuanced differences between algorithmic perfection and imperfect but meaningful human connections.

​​Key Insights from the Human-AI Social Experiment​​

Participants left with personalized social relationship maps and practical tools to navigate modern interpersonal challenges. The event’s unique format—combining non-verbal icebreakers, live scenario comparisons (AI vs. human responses), and group reflections—revealed critical insights: while AI can enhance surface-level interactions, deep emotional resonance remains uniquely human. Special observers, including a clinical psychologist and an AI ethics researcher, provided multidisciplinary perspectives on balancing technological convenience with psychological wellbeing. This experimental gathering proved that in an era of digital avatars, the craving for authentic connection endures.

GOSH | Observe insects with open-source tools and communicate with nature through technology

• Time: May 15th, 19:30 – 21:30
• Location: Shenzhen
• Speaker: Andy Quitmeyer
  
  

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Event Introduction​​

On May 15th at 7:30 PM, Chaihuo Makerspace is honored to host Dr. Andy Quitmeyer, founder of the Digital Naturalism Laboratories (Dinalab) and member of the Global Open Science Hardware (GOSH) community, for a special sharing session straight from the heart of Panama’s rainforest. Dr. Quitmeyer will present his groundbreaking open-source project, The Mothbox—an innovative, low-cost automated insect monitoring device that uses high-resolution photography and computational recognition to track biodiversity in forests and farmlands. This event is a rare opportunity to explore how technology can truly “go wild” and engage in meaningful dialogue with nature, blending cutting-edge science with ecological conservation.

​​About the Speaker​​

Dr. Andy Quitmeyer is a pioneer in designing new ways for humans to interact with the natural world. A former tenured professor at the National University of Singapore and the creator of Discovery Channel’s Hacking the Wild, he has collaborated with institutions like the Smithsonian and Cartoon Network. Now based in the jungles of Gamboa, Panama, Dr. Quitmeyer leads Dinalab, where scientists, artists, and engineers work together to merge field biology with open-source technology. His latest project, The Mothbox, has been deployed across five countries, capturing data on millions of insects to advance global biodiversity research. Join us for an inspiring evening of wild-tech innovation and cross-disciplinary discovery!

From DeepSeek to Xiaozhi AI: Build Your Personal Smart Home Manager in Just 1.5 Hours

• Time: April 11st, 19:30 – 21:30
• Location: Shenzhen
• Speaker: Su He
  
  

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​​Recap: Building Your Private Smart Home with Open-Source Solutions​​

On April 11, 2025, Chaihuo Makerspace hosted an insightful session with Harvest Su, Product Manager at Seeed Studio, who shared practical strategies for creating a personalized smart home using open-source and low-code tools. Attendees learned how to privately deploy DeepSeek models on consumer hardware, from GPU comparisons to step-by-step local setup demonstrations. The session also featured live demos of three smart home applications—a customizable children’s storyteller, an energy-usage query assistant, and voice-controlled device automation—all built with accessible tools like Dify and Home Assistant APIs.

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Key Takeaways: Democratizing Smart Home Innovation​​

Participants left equipped with actionable knowledge, including hardware selection guides and optimized workflows for DIY home automation. The event provided exclusive resources like a deployment checklist, pre-configured Dify agent templates, and special access to XiaoAI development boards. By bridging the gap between open-source software and real-world smart home applications, this session empowered makers, designers, and tech enthusiasts to build affordable, privacy-focused home intelligence systems without vendor lock-in.

​​Interactive Signage Hackathon: A Thought Experiment in Interaction Design​

• Time: April 19th, 10:00 – 18:00
• Location: Chengdu
  
  

​​Recap: Redefining Human-Space Interaction at Chaihuo Chengdu Hackathon​​

On April 19, 2025, Chaihuo Makerspace in Chengdu hosted an innovative Interactive Signage Hackathon, challenging participants to rethink how people navigate and communicate with physical spaces. Set in the actual environment of Chaihuo’s workspace, makers tackled real-world problems like unclear wayfinding, missing directional cues, and ineffective parking notifications. Within just one day, teams developed and deployed functional prototypes—from digital guides to smart alerts—demonstrating how “spatial intelligence” can transform everyday interactions.

From Ideas to Impact: Key Outcomes of the Hackathon​​

The event bridged creativity and practicality, with standout solutions earning permanent installation in Chaihuo’s space as part of its digital transformation. Participants gained hands-on experience in rapid prototyping while connecting with a community of like-minded innovators. The hackathon also served as a springboard for a global digital signage competition, amplifying the potential of these locally tested ideas. By merging design thinking with technical execution, the event proved how small-scale interventions can make spaces more intuitive and responsive to human needs.

Week Maker Meetup

• Time: April 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th. Every Wednesday, 19:30 – 21:30
• Location: Shenzhen
• Speaker: Rraion
  
  

​​Event Introduction​​

For over 13 years since lighting its first workbench lamp in 2012 OCT Loft, Chaihuo Makerspace has been the beating heart of Shenzhen’s hardware innovation. Every Wednesday night once again fills with the scent of soldering and spirited debates, where makers dissect frontier technologies, validate real-world applications, and bridge industrial gaps – just as they transformed early IoT brainstorms into today’s smart city solutions.

​​Weekly Maker Revival​​

Every Wednesday 19:30-21:30 at Nanshan’s Design Commune, this members-only gathering demands just two credentials: a technical challenge you’re battling, or an industry scene ripe for disruption. From open-source hardware’s pioneering days to AI-native hardware revolutions, Wednesday nights remain Shenzhen’s sacred time for creators. The light still on, the tools still hot – see you at the workbench!

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Maker Faire Carnival​

• Time: March 29th, 14:00
• Location: Chengdu
  
  

​​Event Recap​​

On March 29th, Chaihuo Makerspace Chengdu hosted the inaugural “Maker’s Loft” gathering, creating a much-needed creative sanctuary for the city’s innovators. The event brought together makers of all backgrounds in the historic Qingyang District, offering a rare space free from corporate constraints where participants could share ideas, collaborate on projects, or simply recharge their creative energy amidst Chengdu’s old-world charm.

​​Event Highlights​​

The afternoon unfolded as an organic exchange of maker culture – from impromptu hardware hacking sessions to passionate discussions about preserving artisanal traditions in a digital age. Participants explored the intersection of heritage and innovation within the atmospheric setting of the century-old neighborhood, with many noting how the environment sparked fresh perspectives on their work. This first gathering laid the foundation for what will become a monthly tradition celebrating the unbridled creativity at the heart of the maker movement.

​​Chaihuo Co-Lab | [Embodied Intelligence Breakthrough]: Redefining Industrial-Grade Dexterous Manipulation with a Novel “Perception-Decision” Paradigm​

• Time: March 21st, 19:30 – 21:30
• Location: Shenzhen
• Speaker: Wan Qi

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​​Recap: Redefining Industrial Robotics with Embodied Intelligence​​

On March 21, 2025, Chaihuo Makerspace hosted an insightful session with Chee Wan, CEO of NetViz Intelligence, addressing critical challenges in industrial robotic arms—dynamic error accumulation, high sensor dependency, and the Sim2Real gap. The event explored a groundbreaking “perception-as-control” paradigm, offering practical solutions for real-time adaptability in dynamic environments. Attendees gained deep insights into cost-effective innovations like parallel gripper designs, edge-deployable 7B VLA models, and case studies from CogACT and ALOHA2, bridging AI planning with industrial execution.

Key Takeaways: Breaking Barriers in Smart Manufacturing​​

The session highlighted how embodied intelligence can revolutionize industrial robotics without relying on expensive sensors. Discussions covered balancing R&D with supply chain integration, optimizing maintenance costs, and achieving rapid task-switching capabilities—proving that precision and affordability can coexist. Participants left with actionable strategies to overcome data-quality hurdles and deploy vision-language models in real-world settings, marking a leap toward accessible, high-performance automation. Stay tuned for more industry-shaping dialogues at Chaihuo!

2025 Seeed Embodied AI Hackathon

• Time: March 8th – March 9th, 9:00 – 18:00
• Location: Shenzhen
  
  

​​Event Recap​​

This past weekend, Seeed Studio joined forces with NVIDIA, Hugging Face, Orbbec, and GYXYZ to host an intense Embodied AI Hackathon at Chaihuo Makerspace. The event brought together 40 developers from top universities like Tsinghua and Peking University, along with industry engineers, to push boundaries in robotics using Hugging Face’s LeRobot platform. Over 36 hours, teams transformed SO-ARM 100 robotic arms into creative problem-solvers – from automated barbecue masters to 3D print organizers – showcasing the potential of accessible AI robotics.

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Technical Highlights​​

Participants leveraged Seeed’s open-source robotic arm kits and Orbbec’s Gemini 2 depth cameras to implement imitation learning for complex tasks like flower arrangement and lobster sorting. The hackathon demonstrated how emerging embodied AI technologies can bridge academic research and practical applications, with several projects achieving multi-step operational flows. This collaborative experiment proved that open platforms like LeRobot are accelerating robotics innovation across industries, from manufacturing to food service.

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Digital Signage Co-Creation Workshop​

• Time: February 23rd, 14:00 – 18:00
• Location: Shenzhen
  
  

​​Event Recap​​

In January 2025, Chaihuo Makerspace successfully tested its revamped TinyML Workshop, demonstrating how beginners can create AI-powered digital signage without coding. Participants used Seeed Studio’s XIAO ESP32S3 Sense and SenseCraft AI platform to transform ordinary spaces into interactive environments – from mood-detecting library displays to sassy smart doorplates. The workshop proved anyone can prototype “thinking hardware” through simplified three-step AI training: data collection, cloud training, and real-world deployment.

Building on this success, Chaihuo will host a “Digital Signage Creation Workshop” on February 23rd in Shenzhen. Limited to 15 makers, this hands-on session offers laser cutters, 3D printers, and expert guidance to turn ideas into working prototypes. Outstanding projects may showcase at Maker Faire Shenzhen 2025, with options to participate using personal XIAO boards or purchase kits onsite. This event continues Chaihuo’s mission to democratize AI hardware innovation for all skill levels.

Interactive Design Workshop for Pets

• Time: February 22nd, 09:00 – 18:00
• Location: Chengdu
• Speaker: Bowen Shen
  
  

​​Event Introduction​​

This Saturday, Chaihuo Makerspace Chengdu presents a unique “Pet-Tech Interaction Design Workshop” where technology meets furry friends. Participants will learn animal behavior science while creating smart toys using AI cameras and servos – like building a cyber cat teaser customized with their pet’s portrait through AI-generated art. The intimate 10-person session combines behavioral studies, creative prototyping, and real pet testing in our pet-friendly space.

​​Workshop Value​​

Beyond crafting a personalized tech toy for your companion, you’ll gain practical pet interaction design skills and connect with fellow pet-loving makers. Whether you’re a pet parent, tinkerer or designer, this hands-on experience reveals how AI and mechanics can enrich animal lives – with your custom creation going home as both functional toy and heartwarming keepsake.

DeepSeek all you need to know

• Time: February 21st, 19:30 – 21:30
• Location: Shenzhen
• Speaker: Richard
  
  

​​Event Recap​​

On February 21st, Chaihuo Makerspace hosted an exclusive AI insight session analyzing DeepSeek’s meteoric rise to global app store dominance. Strategic consultant Richard Zhang from Seeed Studio unpacked the Chinese AI company’s success through three lenses: its seven-generation model evolution, open-source ecosystem strategy, and vertical domain breakthroughs like “knowledge distillation 2.0”.

​​Key Takeaways​​

The closed-door event drew 40 AI professionals and makers who gained actionable insights on leveraging LLM ecosystems. Discussions covered emerging opportunities in AI+vertical industries and how smaller teams can navigate the shifting landscape, with particular focus on DeepSeek’s unique blend of technical innovation and community-driven development approach.

Smart Space Renovation Based on Home Assistant

• Time: January 18th, 09:00 – 18:00
• Location: Chengdu
• Speaker: Zhipeng Yan
  
  

​​Event Recap​​

On January 18, 2025, Chaihuo Makerspace Chengdu successfully hosted its first Home Assistant smart home workshop, bringing together 15 home automation enthusiasts for a hands-on learning experience. Participants explored the open-source platform’s capabilities through practical sessions covering device integration across brands like Xiaomi and Huawei, as well as creating customized automation scenarios. The workshop concluded with a showcase where attendees demonstrated their smart lighting solutions and other creative implementations developed during the session.

​​Key Features​​

The event provided participants with direct access to the latest Home Assistant platform and various smart devices for real-world testing, supported by professional engineers offering personalized guidance. Attendees left not only with new technical skills for unifying their smart home ecosystems, but also with their own configured automation setups ready to deploy at home. This inaugural workshop laid the foundation for Chengdu’s maker community to advance their smart home capabilities, with plans already underway for follow-up sessions delving deeper into home automation technologies.

Event | Pioneering AI Smart Glasses and Wearable Textile Tech

• Time: January 2nd, 19:30 – 21:30
• Location: Shenzhen
• Speaker: Cayden Pierce, Cedric Honnet
  

Event Introduction​​

On January 2nd, Cayden Pierce, CEO of Mentra, introduced AugmentOS – an open-source operating system revolutionizing human-AI collaboration through smart glasses, while Cedric Honnet from MIT Media Lab will reveal his breakthrough research on chemically-enhanced smart textiles that maintain natural fabrics’ feel while adding sensing capabilities. This intimate gathering brings together developers, makers, and tech enthusiasts to examine how emerging technologies are reshaping human-computer interaction.

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Why This Matters​​

Beyond showcasing technological breakthroughs, this event represents a unique opportunity to witness how academic research translates into real-world applications. Cayden’s work on AI-powered smart glasses demonstrates how proactive computing can augment human capabilities, while Cedric’s textile innovations reveal how everyday materials can be transformed into intelligent interfaces. With only 40 spots available, attendees will gain first-hand insights into the future of wearable tech while connecting with like-minded innovators in Shenzhen’s vibrant maker community. This event kicks off Chaihuo’s 2025 series, setting the stage for a year of boundary-pushing explorations at the intersection of technology and human experience.

Event | Unlocking Infinite Innovation with MIT’s Brilliant Minds

• Time: January 5th, 18:00 – 20:30
• Location: Shenzhen
• Speaker: MIT students
  
  

​​​​Recap: An Inspiring Evening with MIT Innovators at Chaihuo Makerspace​​

On January 5, 2025, Chaihuo Makerspace hosted an exceptional gathering featuring a brilliant team of graduate students and PhD researchers from MIT Media Lab. Supported by Seeed Studio, Southern University of Science and Technology, AIRS, and Anker Innovation, the event brought together Shenzhen’s maker community for an evening of cutting-edge knowledge sharing and collaboration. The MIT team, with expertise spanning electrical engineering, human-computer interaction, microrobotics, wearable tech, and more, presented their groundbreaking research, sparking lively discussions on innovation and real-world applications. Attendees also got a first look at the upcoming “Smart Space” Hackathon, setting the stage for deeper collaboration.


Highlights from the MIT-Chaihuo Collaboration​​

The event not only showcased pioneering research but also fostered meaningful connections during the networking session, where participants engaged in one-on-one discussions with the MIT team. A special highlight was the reveal of the “Smart Space” Hackathon, which later took place on January 11-12, offering makers a chance to work alongside MIT talents in turning ideas into reality. With limited spots and high demand, the evening was a testament to the vibrant exchange of knowledge and the power of global maker collaboration. Stay tuned for more exciting initiatives from Chaihuo!

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