KS5027 Xiao Zhi AI Chatbot Breadboard DIY Kit with 1.54-Inch Display Screen

Introduction

This is a DIY kit utilizing simple hardware and speech recognition technology, allowing you to quickly build a prototype of the “Xiao Zhi AI Chatbot” on a breadboard. It includes key components such as the ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1 development board, MEMS digital microphone (INMP441), digital amplifier (MAX98357A), 1.54-inch Display Screen, cavity speaker, and other essential elements. The kit supports voice input and playback and has reserved interfaces for further expansions, enabling basic human-machine interaction functionality.

Key Features

Easy Setup, Quick to Get Started: All components can be plugged into the breadboard without complex soldering skills.
Voice Input: Built-in MEMS digital microphone (INMP441) effectively reduces environmental noise interference.
Audio Output: The combination of digital amplifier (MAX98357A) and cavity speaker provides clear speech playback.
Expandable: Extra GPIO and I²C interfaces are reserved for easily adding more sensors or functional modules to the robot.
Learning-Friendly: Hands-on building and debugging allow users to gain a deeper understanding of the basic principles of AI voice recognition and playback.

Required Hardware

Hardware Name	Specifications/Model	Main Uses
Development Board	ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1 (WROOM N16R8 module)	Main control board, responsible for running firmware, processing voice and network connections
Digital Microphone	INMP441	Audio input collection
Amplifier	MAX98357A	Audio output driver (converts digital signals to analog audio)
Cavity Speaker	8Ω 2~3W or 4Ω 2~3W	Speaker for sound output
Jumper Wires	A box of jumper wires, several Dupont wires	Connection between modules and development board
Breadboards (2 pieces)	400 holes, modular	Convenient for direct connection of various electronic components
1.54-Inch Display Screen	ST7789 Driver	Displays WiFi status, dialogue information, and other prompts
Type-C Data Cable	For firmware flashing	Connects the development board to a PC for firmware uploading and debugging

Hardware

1. ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1 Development Board

The ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1 is a high-performance development board based on the Espressif ESP32-S3 series chip, integrating 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0/BLE wireless connectivity, and featuring a dual-core Xtensa® LX7 processor with a maximum clock speed of 240 MHz. It supports hardware acceleration for machine learning, enabling efficient inference in AI scenarios such as voice recognition and image processing. Here are its main features and key parameters.

Features

High-Performance Processing
- Xtensa® LX7 dual-core architecture, with a maximum clock speed of 240 MHz
- Supports machine learning hardware acceleration to improve AI application inference speed
Wireless Connectivity
- Integrated 2.4 GHz 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
- Supports Bluetooth 5.0 and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), facilitating short-range communication in various scenarios
Multiple Interfaces
- Up to 38 GPIO pins
- Built-in various communication protocols: ADC (12-bit), DAC, PWM, I2C, SPI, UART, etc.
- Onboard LED indicator, along with Boot, Reset, and other functional buttons
Security Features
- Hardware encryption engine (AES, SHA, RSA, etc.)
- Supports Secure Boot and Flash Encryption, providing multiple levels of protection from hardware to firmware
Low Power Design
- Standby power as low as approximately 10 μA, optimized power consumption during Wi-Fi operation
- Suitable for battery-powered projects or projects requiring long battery life
Development Ecosystem
- Supports Arduino IDE for quick onboarding
- Compatible with ESP-IDF, PlatformIO, and other advanced development frameworks, facilitating custom projects

2. MEMS Digital Microphone (INMP441)

The INMP441 is a MEMS-based digital microphone with built-in amplification, analog-to-digital conversion, and I²S output. Compared to traditional analog microphones, it effectively reduces noise interference, making it suitable for applications in voice recognition and interaction.

Features

I²S Digital Output: Outputs digital audio directly, avoiding interference from analog cables.
Compact Size, Easy Integration: Suitable for projects with space constraints.
Low Power Consumption: Ideal for battery-powered scenarios.
High Sensitivity: Capable of capturing faint sounds, making it well-suited for voice recognition.
Built-in Voltage Regulation and Clock: Reduces external circuit requirements, simplifying soldering.
Soldering Difficulty: It is recommended to use a pre-soldered module to reduce difficulty.

Parameters

Parameter	Value / Range	Description
Operating Voltage	3.3V (typical)	Recommended range 1.8V ~ 3.3V
Output Interface	I²S	Left aligned, single-channel output
Signal-to-Noise Ratio	~61 dB	Higher SNR ensures better sound quality
Sensitivity	-26 dBFS (typical)	Measured under 94 dB SPL, 1kHz input conditions
Frequency Response Range	60 Hz ~ 15 kHz (typical)	Meets most human voice capture needs
Current Consumption	1.1 mA ~ 1.7 mA	Typical operating current
Package Size	3.76 mm × 2.95 mm	Requires fine soldering technique

3. Digital Amplifier (MAX98357A)

The MAX98357A is a highly integrated Class D audio amplifier chip that can directly amplify digital audio via I²S input. It eliminates the need for traditional DACs required in amplifiers, resulting in higher efficiency and smaller size, widely used in portable speakers, smart speakers, and other products.

Features

I²S Digital Input: No additional DAC required, simplifying design.
High Efficiency Class D: Over 90%, suitable for battery-powered scenarios.
Built-in Filtering/PLL: Adapts to various sampling rates for stable and reliable output.
Simplified Peripheral Circuits: Requires only minimal capacitors and resistors to operate.
Protection Mechanisms: Includes overcurrent and overheating protection, making it safer to use.
Drives Various Speakers: Can power 4Ω/8Ω speakers, suitable for low-power audio applications.

Parameters

Parameter	Value / Range	Description
Operating Voltage	2.5V ~ 5.5V	Commonly 3.3V or 5V
Output Power	3W@4Ω / 2W@8Ω	Depends on voltage and heatsinking conditions
Efficiency	Over 90%	Effectively reduces energy loss
Sampling Rate	8kHz ~ 96kHz	Built-in PLL supports various formats
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (THD+N)	< 0.03% @1W, 5V	Ensures good sound quality
Protection Features	Overheat / Overcurrent / Short-circuit	Increases safety at use

Note: It is recommended to leave sufficient heat dissipation space and correctly match the speaker impedance, as well as set the gain properly to avoid distortion or chip damage.

4. Cavity Speaker (8Ω 2W)

This type of speaker works in a closed or semi-closed cavity, optimizing low frequencies and concentrating sound energy. It is commonly found in portable speakers and smart voice devices.

Features

Impedance and Power Matching: 8Ω, 2W power, suitable for small amplifiers.
Enhanced Low Frequency: Cavity design helps enhance low-frequency extension.
Compact and Easy to Install: Often equipped with clips or screw holes for integration.
Wide Range of Usage: Suitable for various environmental volume needs.

Parameters

Parameter	Value / Range	Description
Impedance	8Ω	General specification, matches small amplifiers
Rated Power	2W	Suitable for everyday volume scenarios
Frequency Response	~200Hz ~ 20kHz	Optimized low-frequency performance
Sensitivity	80~90 dB (@1W/1m)	Higher sensitivity for better efficiency
Installation Method	Screws/Clip/Adhesive	Varies by specific model

Note: It is recommended to use a suitable digital amplifier (e.g., MAX98357A) and calibrate the volume to avoid overload that can cause distortion or damage.

5. Boxed Jumper Wires

Boxed jumper wires consist of various types of DuPont wires (male-to-male, male-to-female, female-to-female) packaged in small compartments based on length and color. They are suitable for rapid prototyping and connection in breadboard or circuit projects.

Features

Various wire lengths and interface types to accommodate different wiring needs.
Colorful designs make circuit paths easy to distinguish.
Boxed design for convenient storage and portability.

6. Breadboard (2 pieces, 400 holes, modular, optional, recommended)

The breadboard can be used for quickly building and debugging prototype circuits without soldering, effectively managing line connections and avoiding messy wiring. The 400-hole design is sufficient to accommodate common modules and jumper wires, and it can be expanded by connecting multiple boards for larger areas. It allows for easy insertion and layout adjustment of components, suitable for electronic enthusiasts and beginners.

Tip: Make effective use of the power and ground line layout on the breadboard to improve circuit tidiness and stability.

7. 1.54-Inch IPS Display Screen Module

The 1.54-inch IPS Display Screen module is a high-performance display suitable for a wide range of electronic projects and products. This module uses advanced IPS technology, which can provide rich colors and clear display effects, making it ideal for applications that require high visibility. Its compact size and simple interface design make it very suitable for embedded development and portable devices.

Features

High Resolution Display: A resolution of 240x240 pixels ensures clear images with rich details.
Rich Colors: Supports RGB 65K color display, which can present more vivid and realistic images.
Wide Viewing Angle: IPS technology provides ultra-wide viewing angles, maintaining excellent image quality even from larger angles.
Simple Interface: Uses a 4-wire SPI serial bus interface, requiring only a few I/O pins for connection.
Wide Compatibility: Provides a wealth of examples for STM32, C51, and MSP430, making it easy to develop and integrate.
Military-Grade Standards: Compliant with military-level processes to ensure long-term stable operation in various environments.
Technical Support: Offers low-level driver technical support to help developers get started quickly.

Parameters

Name	Parameter
Display Color	RGB 65K
SKU	MSP1541
Size	1.54 inch
Panel Material	TFT
Driver Chip	ST7789
Resolution	240 x 240 pixels
Display Interface	4-line SPI interface
Effective Display Area (AA Area)	27.72 x 27.72 mm
Touch Screen Type	None
Touch IC	None
Module PCB Size	32.00 x 43.72 mm
Viewing Angle	Full Angle
Operating Temperature	-10℃ ~ 60℃
Storage Temperature	-20℃ ~ 70℃
Operating Voltage	3.3V
Power Consumption	To be determined

Wiring Instructions

Pin Connections for ESP32S3 Development Board and Modules

1. Wiring between ESP32S3 Development Board and Microphone

ESP32S3 Development Board	Microphone INMP441 (I2S Interface)
GPIO 4	WS Data Select
GPIO 5	SCK Data Clock
GPIO 6	SD Data Output
3V3	VDD Power Positive 3.3V
GND	GND Ground Short Connect L/R Left Right Channel

2. Wiring between ESP32S3 Development Board and Digital Amplifier

ESP32S3 Development Board	Digital Amplifier MAX98357A
GPIO 7	DIN Digital Signal
GPIO 15	BCLK Bit Clock
GPIO 16	LRC Left Right Clock
3V3 / 3.3V	Vin (or VCC) Power Input Short Connect SD Shutdown Channel
GND	GND Ground Short Connect GAIN Gain and Channel (do not connect on BGA packaged microphone)
	Audio+ Connect to Speaker Positive (usually red wire, test with a multimeter if necessary)
	Audio- Connect to Speaker Negative

3. Wiring between ESP32S3 Development Board and 1.54-Inch IPS Display Screen

ESP32S3 Pin	Display Screen Pin	Function Description
GND	GND	Ground
3V3	VCC	Positive Power (3.3V)
GPIO21	SCL	SPI Clock Signal
GPIO47	SDA	SPI Data Signal
GPIO45	RES	Reset Signal
GPIO40	DC	Data/Command Select Signal
GPIO41	CS	Chip Select Signal
GPIO42	BLK	Backlight Control Signal (High to light up)

Wiring Steps Diagram for ESP32S3 Development Board and Each Module

First, a complete picture

The first step is to clip the breadboards together, which is simple to do.

The second step shows that the breadboard has 6 protrusions on top.

Start connecting the ESP32 development board. Align the board starting from the left side A1 and press against the bottom hole.

The third step begins the wiring, paying attention to align with the pins. If unsure, refer to the numbers. The wiring for the round INMP441 is as follows:

Then insert the INMP441 as shown.

The fourth step shows the connection for the MAX98357:

Next, connect the amplifier: the three orange wires should align with the amplifier’s LRC/BCLK/DIN.

The fifth step shows the wiring for the color LCD screen:

Final completion image.

Now you can proceed to the next step, which is network configuration.

Common Wiring Issues FAQ

After flashing the firmware, the RGB light does not turn on
- Please check whether the solder joints around the RGB light are properly soldered. If there are any unsoldered places, you can first use wires to connect the corresponding pads and check if the light functions normally after restarting.
How to check for circuit faults?

When not powered: You can use a multimeter to measure continuity between wires and GND or 3.3V pins to check for short or open circuits.
- When powered: Measure the voltage values between GND and other pins to see if they are within normal ranges (e.g., 5V, 3.3V); if abnormal, further check the corresponding module and connections.

What to do when contact problems frequently occur when using the breadboard?
- This may be due to aging breadboard sockets or oxidation of component pins. You can try replacing the breadboard, cleaning the component pins, or using shorter jumper wires to reduce points of failure.
How to connect the grounds of sensors, power modules, etc.?
- The ground of external modules should be connected to the GND of the main control board, ensuring they all share the same ground line to avoid noise or signal stability issues.

Tip: If you encounter troubleshooting that is difficult to locate, consider checking if the power supply is stable (e.g., 5V or 3.3V) and ensure that the firmware version and sample code correspond to the actual wiring.

Flashing Firmware (Without IDF Development Environment)

This guide applies to the ESP32-S3-WROOM-N16R8 version for firmware flashing, using the Flash Download Tool.

One-click download for the flashing tool

Flashing Tool

1. Preparation

Operating System: Using Windows as an example, it is recommended to use Flash Download Tool 3.9.7 (or other newer versions).
Obtain the Tool: Download from Espressif’s official website and extract it to any folder without needing installation.
Running Method: Enter the extracted directory and double-click flash_download_tool_3.9.7.exe to start.

2. Downloading Firmware

One-click download for firmware

Flashing Firmware

Click to download, then extract the file.

Copy the .bin File to the Specified Directory
- Place the extracted v1.5.5_bread-compact-wifi-LCD-7P-240x240.bin in the bin directory of the Flash Download Tool for easier subsequent operations.

3. Flashing Firmware to the Development Board

After extracting and entering the flash_download_tool_3.9.7 directory, double-click to run flash_download_tool_3.9.7.exe. The interface will look as follows:

1) Download Settings

Chip Type (ChipType): Select ESP32-S3
Working Mode (WorkMode): Select Develop
Loading Mode (Download Mode): It is recommended to choose UART (if selecting USB, additional settings are required; not covered here).

Interface and sRGB Explanation:

When the Type-C interface of the development board is facing you, the right port is the UART port, and the left port is the USB port; please do not confuse them.
If the onboard sRGB light has not been soldered, the tool may show a warning when identifying (this does not affect flashing) and can be resolved by shorting the solder pads later (see the end of the document).

2) Load Firmware & SPI Download Settings

Input Firmware Path: Click the ... button in the first blank field to select the v1.5.5_bread-compact-wifi-LCD-7P-240x240.bin file.

Check Firmware Option: Check the checkbox next to the imported .bin file, and in the address bar, input 0x0 or 0x00 to indicate that it will be flashed to the beginning address in storage.
COM Port: In the system’s “Device Manager,” expand the serial port section to view the corresponding COM port number and select the same port in the tool.

Speed Settings: The default SPI speed is sufficient; you can choose a higher BAUD rate to speed up the flashing process.

Start Flashing: Click START. The progress bar will begin running until a successful FINISH prompt appears. This entire process typically takes a few minutes to over ten minutes, depending on the firmware size and speed settings.

Flashing Complete

Once the flashing is complete, press the RST (Restart) button on the development board (shown in the diagram below) to restart the board, allowing it to enter Wi-Fi configuration mode. Configuration operations are detailed in the subsequent instructions.

How to Configure Device Wi-Fi

1. Wi-Fi Network Configuration

1) Start the Device

After flashing the firmware, keep the device powered on and press the RST button (shown in the diagram below) to restart, which will put the device in configuration mode.

2) Configuration Status

sRGB Color Light Blinking Blue: Indicates that it is in configuration mode.
sRGB Color Light Not On: See section 2 of this page for details.
If the device is not in configuration mode or needs to be reconfigured, press and hold the configuration button (connected to GPIO 1), then press the RST button to reset; first, release RST, then release the configuration button to re-enter configuration mode.
For firmware versions ≥0.2.2, if three attempts to connect to the original Wi-Fi fail, it will automatically revert to configuration mode (you can press RST to restart the device when switching networks).

3) Configuration Steps

Connect to “Xiao Zhi” Wi-Fi
Use your phone or computer to connect to the Wi-Fi emitted by the device (the name typically resembles Xiaozhi-XXXXXX).

Configure the Network
Click on the found Wi-Fi name Xiaozhi-XXXXXX to connect, which will automatically redirect to the configuration page:

Select 2.4G Wi-Fi (if using an iPhone hotspot, you need to enable “maximum compatibility”).

Input the password, then click Connect.

If successfully connected, the interface will display “Done” and automatically restart after 3 seconds.

If automatic redirection to the configuration page does not occur, you can also manually enter http://192.168.4.1 in the browser’s address bar to access the configuration page.

2. About the RGB Color Light on the Device

Connection and Update Status
- When powered on, if the blue light blinks once, the device is connecting to Wi-Fi; if the green light blinks afterward, it indicates a successful connection and that the device can be awakened by voice.
- If the blue light stays on: the device is performing OTA firmware updates, which usually complete in under a minute.
- If the blue light keeps blinking: the device is in configuration mode.
- If the blue light turns on during voice awakening: it indicates that it is connecting to the server.
- If the green light is on: the device is playing audio.
- If the red light is on: the device is recording audio.
RGB Light Not Turning On
- If the light switch has not been soldered, it will not affect Wi-Fi configuration but will prevent you from checking the device status.

3. How to Add a Device

Confirm Device Is Online
- Once the device connects to the network, it will announce a 6-digit verification code (which can be retrieved by awakening it again).
Access Control Panel
- Open the Xiaozhi AI Chatbot - Control Panel by entering https://xiaozhi.me in your browser (if you don’t have an account, you may register). Click on the top right corner to switch to your preferred language.

Once you’ve changed the language, click console to enter the control panel.

Device Management
- Create an agent,
- Set your agent’s name.
- Click “Add New Device”.
Enter the 6-digit Device ID.

Where to obtain the Device ID: After successful firmware upload and network configuration, the device will automatically announce the six-digit code.
Activation Successful
- The device will automatically activate and display on the “Device Management” page. Click Configure Role to enter the configuration interface.
- Configure the assistant’s name and voice. In the Role Introduction section, you can use AI tools to write a description of the character you desire.
- Configure AI big models, which allow several optional settings. After determining the settings, save them.

Restart the Xiao Zhi AI Chatbot to start chatting!