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AI Engineering
Hacker News·Jul 1·5 min read
Pine64 launch $50 smart speaker for Home Assistant tinkerers
TL;DR
Home automation enthusiasts often lack affordable, customizable smart speakers. Pine64 has developed the PineVoice, a $50 smart speaker powered by a RISC-V chip and designed for integration with Home Assistant.
✦ Why It Matters
Engineers can leverage the PineVoice for cost-effective, customizable smart home solutions with enhanced privacy.
Key Takeaways
- Explore the PineVoice for affordable smart speaker options.
- Integrate with Home Assistant for enhanced home automation.
- Consider switching to Linux Voice Assistant for better performance.
- Utilize open-source platforms to maintain control over smart devices.
Full Summary
Home automation systems frequently require specialized hardware that can be expensive and proprietary, limiting user control and privacy. Pine64 has introduced the PineVoice, a $50 smart speaker that operates on a Bouffalo Lab BL606P RISC-V System on Chip (SoC) with integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and Zigbee capabilities.
It features a dual microphone array for voice detection and a speaker for audio output, supporting local wake word detection. The device runs on Alibaba's open-source YoC platform and utilizes the Wyoming Satellite protocol, which allows it to function as a local microphone and speaker for Linux-based Home Assistant setups.
However, the Wyoming protocol is deprecated, and users are encouraged to switch to the Linux Voice Assistant using the ESPHome protocol for better functionality. This development provides a low-cost, open-source alternative for home automation, allowing users to maintain control over their devices and data.