Monthly Wrap-Up for January 2026: Embedded Systems, IoT Solutions and Hardware Prototype
Hey community,
Welcome to our January of 2026 Monthly Wrap-up! The past months have been nothing short of inspiring—from innovations to global events across communities, we’ve seen new products hit the shelves, amazing open-source builds take shape, and plenty of collaborations pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
In this issue, you’ll find 11 deep-dive explorations packed with insights, 3 engaging livestreams, 8 product and service spotlights, and 6 News & Events Highlights. On top of that, don’t miss 9 standout community projects that showcase the brilliance of makers worldwide.
Let’s dive into the highlights and celebrate another month of open-source spirit together!
📚 I. In-depth Feature & Tech Exploration
01. Semtech LR2021 LoRa Plus™ Evaluation Kit
The Semtech LR2021 LoRa Plus Evaluation Kit features a modular design that seamlessly integrates the powerful Seeed Studio XIAO nRF54L15 Core Board with the LoRa Plus Expansion Board. Check Out today.
02. Pin Multiplexing with Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-C5
The Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-C5 is a powerful and versatile development board. In this tutorial, we will guide you on how to use the multiplexed pins of the XIAO ESP32-C5. Find more details here.
03.AI Parking Management Demo with reCamera
This project provides an out-of-the-box demo that focuses on the following application capabilities. Check out today.
04.SenseCAP T2000 Tracker: Connecting to The Things Network (TTN)
The Things Network (TTN) is a global, open-source IoT platform built on LoRaWAN®, offering low-power and long-range wireless connectivity. It is supported by The Things Stack (TTS), a LoRaWAN® network server that provides secure device management and data routing. In this chapter, learn to connect the SenseCAP T2000 Tracker to The Things Network.
05. XIAO ESP32-S3 (Sense) GPIO Viewer
XIAO ESP32-S3 (Sense) GPIO Viewer is a MicroPython-based real-time GPIO monitor. Read more.
06. Fine-tune GR00T N1.6 for LeRobot SO-101 Arm and Deploy on AGX Orin
Learn how to fine-tune NVIDIA Isaac GR00T N1.6 for the LeRobot SO-101 arm and deploy it on AGX Orin 64G. Learn more.
07. Setup and Configure OpenDisplay firmware with the OpenDisplay Kit
Learn how to effectively utilize Bluetooth-enabled e-paper displays and OpenDisplay firmware on your XIAO EN04 ePaper Display Board.
08. Deploy Depth Anything V3 on Jetson AGX Orin
Learn how to effectively deploy Depth Anything V3 with ROS2 integration for real-time robotics applications on your Jetson AGX Orin device. Find out more.
09. reComputer R1225 LoRaWAN Gateway
Learn how to effectively utilize the industrial IoT capabilities, LoRaWAN connectivity, and AI NPU accelerator integration on your reComputer R1225 gateway & controller! Check out today.
10. XIAO ESP32-C5 With FreeRTOS
Learn how to effectively utilize the FreeRTOS real-time kernel and modular libraries to meet hard real-time requirements on your XIAO ESP32-C5 device. Check out now.
11. reComputer RS485 test
Learn how to effectively test the RS485 receiving and transmitting functions on your reComputer R10/R11/R20/R21 devices. Find out more.
🎬 II. Weekly Livestram
01. SenseCAP T2000, a next-generation LoRaWAN asset tracker built for real-world
Unveil the SenseCAP T2000 — a next-generation LoRaWAN asset tracker built for real-world deployments. With IP67 rugged protection, multi-year battery life, and triple-mode positioning (GNSS + Wi-Fi + Bluetooth), the T2000 is designed for livestock tracking, mining vehicles, logistics, field assets, and more. Discover More.
02. Making Next Gadget | Want to talk to your system? Add a voice Interface -reSpeaker to it
Capturing clear sound is just the beginning, see how the most powerful AI microphone array reSpeaker acted as the smart ear for Embodied AI! In this live stream, we’ll show how reSpeaker goes beyond audio capture and becomes the auditory interface for different systems in real-world scenarios — turning sound into understanding, and understanding into action. Discover More.
03. Making Next Gadget | XIAO 2025 in Review & First XIAO of 2026: ESP32‑C5
We’ll take a first deep dive into the new XIAO ESP32-C5, featuring a close look at the hardware, software ecosystem support, live demos, and a comparison across the XIAO ESP32 family. Discover More.
📰 III. Product & Service Showcases
Stay up-to-date with the latest product releases from Seeed. Discover new tools, platforms, and services designed to streamline your workflow and accelerate innovation in your projects.
01. ReCamera has recently released firmware version 0.2.2
Learn how to effectively upgrade your reCamera to firmware version 0.2.2 and leverage its new features (model conversion, default SSH server) and bug fixes (Linux USB access, user password input, model upload failure). Find out more here.
02. Actuators are now LIVE at Seeed Studio store
The RobStride 00 QDD integrated actuator combines a motor, planetary gearbox, and driver into a single 310g module—designed for compact, torque-dense robotic joints. Check Out today.
03. reComputer Industrial R22 is lauched
Our latest Raspberry Pi and Hailo 8-powered indsutrial device: reComputer Industrial R22, the most reliable and powerful Raspberry Pi Edge AI/IOT with 26 TOPS, is launched! Find more details here.
04. Officially launch reSpeaker XMOS XVF3800 with XIAO ESP32S3
Based on strong feedback from our community, we’re excited to launch reSpeaker XMOS XVF3800 with XIAO ESP32S3 (Case Version)!
This release is all about making SoundAI more accessible and more deployable. Check Out today.
05. XIAO ESP32-C5: First XIAO to Support 5 GHz Wi‑Fi
Learn how to effectively leverage dual-band Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, IEEE 802.15.4 connectivity, RISC-V processing, and built-in security features for smart home, vision, robotics, and micro-gateway applications on your device. Read more.
Learn how to effectively test the maximum effective transmission distance for video streams, image files, and text data using Wi-Fi HaLow on your reCamera, and discover how upcoming accessories can upgrade it into a high-performance AI camera with full Wi-Fi HaLow functionality. Find out more here.
07. SenseCAP T2000 LoRaWAN Tracker
Learn how to effectively utilize the IP67-rated protection and reliable real-time asset tracking capabilities for outdoor and on-site deployments on your SenseCAP T2000 LoRaWAN Tracker. Check Out today.
08. How To Build An AI Camera
Learn how to effectively utilize the built-in YOLO11 for real-time visitor/anomaly identification, instant filtered message notifications, and invisible window-mounted installation to create a non-intrusive home security AI camera with your reCamera. Read more.
👩💻 IV. News & Events Highlights
Get the inside scoop on recent events and news. Gain valuable insights, key takeaways, and highlights from industry experts and thought leaders at the forefront of ML innovation.
01. Seeed Studio took part in the HEREOS workshop, held across CERN, the SDGs at the Université de Genève, and the Imternational Telecommunication Union (ITU) at UN-Geneva.
We showcased how Seeed Studio’s open hardware, rapid prototyping platforms, and AI-enabled sensing technologies are already helping researchers move from lab concepts to real-world, field-ready solutions, including in resource-constrained environments. Watch the recap
02. Ranger Program 3.0 is coming!
We would love to build a Local, Technical Network for the community. This network is a shift from community advocacy to local, application-driven collaboration. More info.
03. Connecting with the OpenELAB team at 𝐂𝐄𝐒 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔!
It was inspiring to exchange ideas around AIoT, embodied AI, and open source hardware and to see how accessible, modular platforms can accelerate real-world AI experimentation and human-robot interaction. Find out more.
04. MIT Research at Scale 2026
We’ve been hosting a group of incredible creators from MIT Media Lab this month, helping them bridge the gap from prototype to DVT (Design Validation Test) in just 4 weeks! More info.
05. The Scalable HCI Symposium 2026
Partnering with the SUSTech School of Design, AIRS, SciArt Co-lab, and other amazing sponsors, we brought together some of the brightest minds from academia and industry to bridge the gap between HCI research, art, and scalable hardware.. Find out more.
06. SenseCAP T2000 Project Tester Program
We’re inviting project testers to take part in real-world deployments of the SenseCAP T2000 LoRaWAN® Asset Tracker.The T2000 is designed for medium to large outdoor assets and real deployment needs. It’s not a consumer GPS device, but an industrial-grade tracking solution built with long battery life, rugged protection, intelligent event detection, and remote asset management in mind. Register Now.
🌈 V. Community Project Spotlight
Celebrate the creativity and ingenuity of our community members with featured projects and ideas in machine learning. From open-source libraries to DIY solutions, there’s no shortage of inspiration to be found among our talented community.
01. SenseCAP Tracker T1000e
A great community build featuring the SenseCAP Tracker T1000e, mounted on a DJI Mavic 3 using a 3D-printed mount. Once airborne, the T1000e can act as a flying LoRa relay, lifting Meshtastic nodes higher to extend network coverage. This makes it especially useful for emergency communications, search and rescue (SAR), and network coverage testing. It can also serve as an independent drone tracker. With its own GPS and battery, the T1000e is still able to report location even if the drone crashes or loses power. Check it out .
02. Solar Powered Meshtastic Node with Wio Tracker L1 Lite
A community member built a solar-powered Meshcore / Meshtastic node using Wio Tracker L1 Lite, designed for long-term outdoor deployment with a 1.5W solar panel. Learn more.
03. Smart, humane fly-repellent
MOSQ by Maryori Vasquez duing Fab Academy at Fab Lab Perú is a smart, humane fly-repellent designed for homes and labs. Instead of killing insects, it scares flies away using gentle propeller motion and sound solving real lab problems like contamination and ruined 3D prints. Find out more.
04. CAD design for the T1000E 6-pack toaster charger
A community member updated the CAD design for the T1000E 6-pack toaster charger, enabling it to properly support all 6 devices. Find out more.
05. Power-over-Skin
That’s the vision behind Power-over-Skin, a fascinating research project by Andy K., Daehwa Kim, and Chris Harrison from Carnegie Mellon University, USA. Learn more.
06. SenseCAP M2 × The Things Network
A community member recently shared a detailed tutorial on configuring the SenseCAP M2 LoRaWAN Gateway for use with The Things Network. Learn more.
07. Smart LED light bar with XIAO ESP32-C3 & WLED
J-Rat Techworks shows how you can build a custom smart LED light bar with our XIAO ESP32-C3 and WLED for under $25—less than a third of the cost of a Philips Hue Play. The design uses a 3D‑printed housing, our LED driver for XIAO, and diffuser for a sleek, tall profile that fits perfectly on a desk setup. Find out more.
08. Wio Tracker L1 E-ink
This community-shared design supports a 2000mAh battery, making it well suited for DIY tracking, prototyping, and longer-term field deployments across different scenarios. Find out more.
09. Wio Tracker L1 E-ink and Meshtastic
Built on Wio Tracker L1 E-ink and Meshtastic, this project focuses on a simple but important idea: a tracker that keeps working even when cellular networks don’t ，no monthly fees, no batteries dying after a day, and no blind spots in remote areas. Find out more.
That’s all for today, thank you all for reading through this January Monthly Wrap-up in your spare time. (It is indeed a fruitful month!) If you wanna share what projects you’re working on, shoot us a tweet @seeedstudio, let us know on LinkedIn and Discord, or publish your project on our Project Hub on Hackster.
#Notes
If you’re new to this session, here is a brief intro. We have gotten dozens of requests over the years for a Seeed Monthly Newsletter. Although we already have a newsletter for weekly updates, we still need a place to host overall information about what’s happened on a monthly basis. It can offer an efficient and friendly way to get updated for the whole community. And that’s what we expect for our Seeed Monthly Wrap-ups. Instead of putting it as a subscribe-to-read format, we’re publishing them on our blog, so as to keep it as open and accessible as possible for the whole community. For each entry, we will cover awesome projects from the community, campaigns that we are running, new products, IIoT Solutions, and even secret recipes for prototyping and manufacturing.
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