ANAVI Technology

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Wishing you a 2025 filled with the power of open source!

In 2024, ANAVI Technology introduced just two new open-source hardware gadgets, but they turned out pretty good. Looking ahead, we are excited to share that several innovative projects are already in the pipeline for 2025!

ANAVI Handle

In April 2024, we launched a crowdfunding campaign for ANAVI Handle, an open-source USB adapter that allows you to connect Wii Nunchuk-compatible controllers to a PC. As always, the printed circuit board was designed using the free and open source tool KiCad. The design is simple, featuring a XIAO module with a USB-C connector and a Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller. The default firmware, written in CircuitPython, is available as open-source on GitHub. Additionally, ANAVI Handle has been certified by the Open Source Hardware Association under UID BG000134.

The default firmware lets you configure the Wii Nunchuk as a mouse, keyboard, or joystick, offering a variety of uses, with retro gaming being one of the most popular. Be sure to check out the video demonstrating how ANAVI Handle and a Wii Nunchuk can breathe new life into an old netbook!

ANAVI Handle successfully reached its crowdfunding goal on Crowd Supply on May 30, with orders shipped to backers in July 2024. Today, you can purchase ANAVI Handle from either Crowd Supply or Mouser.

ANAVI Dev Mic

Our second and final crowdfunding campaign of 2024 was for ANAVI Dev Mic, an open-hardware USB Type-C omnidirectional microphone powered by a programmable Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller. This is not your typical USB PC microphone. ANAVI Dev Mic gives you the freedom to modify and customize the firmware, as well as expand the hardware with various peripherals like LEDs, buttons, and even sensors.

There are countless ways to use a USB microphone, especially one as flexible and open-source as ANAVI Dev Mic. However, the most impressive technical application was using it for offline speech-to-text recognition with Python 3 and OpenAI Whisper ASR on a Raspberry Pi 5. This project demonstrated that even a microphone plays a crucial role in modern AI-driven solutions.

ANAVI Dev Mic received certification from the Open Source Hardware Association under UID BG000144. The crowdfunding campaign concluded on September 26, 2024, with all units shipped to backers in October. You can now purchase ANAVI Dev Mic directly from Crowd Supply or Mouser.

What’s Next?

We have some exciting new projects planned for 2025. We aim to release two boards for addressable LED strips (aka NeoPixels): ANAVI Miracle uHAT and ANAVI Miracle Emitter. The PCB for ANAVI Miracle uHAT was designed in 2023 but was put on hold due to software issues with Raspberry Pi 5, which have now been resolved. ANAVI Miracle Emitter is a stand-alone device featuring the XIAO ESP32C3 module. It will be our first open-source hardware using the RISC-V open instruction set. The firmware will seamlessly integrate with Home Assistant through the machine-to-machine MQTT protocol. Additionally, we are developing a gardening device with the ESP32C3 to monitor flowers, plants, and crops.

In addition to developing new open-source hardware, we are also dedicated to maintaining and improving existing projects, including the Internet of Things, Raspberry Pi add-on boards, and mechanical keyboards. In early January, a GitHub pull request was submitted to add I2C display support for the ANAVI Knob 1 in the open-source KMK firmware for mechanical keyboards. Shortly thereafter, another pull request was created to implement the same feature for the ANAVI Knob 3. Additionally, J.W. contributed STL files for the ANAVI Handle enclosure, offering an alternative to acrylic enclosures. Now, thanks to his contribution, you can 3D print your own enclosure – whether as a replacement part or just for fun, experimenting with different colors.

Thank you!

A huge thank you to all the backers and customers who supported our open-source hardware projects in 2024. We’re also deeply grateful to our trusted partners, especially Crowd Supply, Mouser and the Pi Hut! Wishing you all a healthy and prosperous 2025!

ANAVI Dev Mic: Open-Source USB-C Microphone Now Available at Mouser

The ANAVI Dev Mic, our open-source USB-C computer microphone powered by the Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller, is now also available at Mouser Electronics. Designed for AI and machine learning voice applications, it combines the Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040 module with an omnidirectional STMicroelectronics MP23DB01HP digital microphone, delivering crystal-clear audio and exceptional flexibility for makers, developers and enthusiasts.

Mouser Electronics, a trusted global distributor and part of the Berkshire Hathaway family, provides access to the latest tech innovations. They offer free shipping to select locations, including in the EU, on most orders over €50 EUR or $60 USD.

Elevate your voice-driven projects with the ANAVI Dev Mic – available now for just $24.88 at Mouser!

Crowdfunding Sucess Story: ANAVI Dev Mic is Shipping Soon

ANAVI Dev Mic is an open source hardware computer microphone powered by Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller. It was successfully crowdfunded through Crowd Supply on Sep 26 2024.

ANAVI Dev Mic connected to a laptop as an external USB-C microphone

The initially estimated shipping date was Nov 17, 2024. However, we have great news to share! A few days ago we dispatched all ANAVI Dev Mic kits to Crowd Supply’s warehouse. This means that shipping to backers will start ahead of schedule. Over the next few weeks, orders will be processed through their fulfillment system.

If you have backed the crowdfunding campaign and you need to update your shipping address, please do so via your Crowd Supply account as soon as possible. Shipping to backers will begin soon, and you’ll receive a tracking number once your order is on its way. You can also check your order status and other details through your account.

Each kit is packaged in an eco-friendly cardboard box made from recycled materials, reflecting our commitment to sustainability and responsible packaging.

We sincerely thank you for supporting our open-source computer microphone! If you missed the crowdfunding period you can still order your new microphone from Crowd Supply. In the coming months we stock ANAVI Dev Mic through other trusted distributors and online stores. As usual, stay tuned for further technical updates and new exciting open source projects!

ANAVI Dev Mic Crowdfunding Success: Thank You for Your Support!

Our crowdfunding campaign at Crowd Supply for ANAVI Dev Mic successfully wrapped up on September 26th, and we couldn’t be more grateful! Thank you! Over 30 backers from eight countries supported this open-source hardware project for a computer microphone powered by the Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller.

ANAVI Dev Mic is a compact, affordable, exceptionally adaptable open-source microphone. The printed circuit board has been designed with KiCad and feetures Seeed Studio XIAO module with the Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller and an omnidirectional digital microphone that work together to ensure high-quality sound capture and processing.

The production of the printed circuit boards and component assembly is now complete, and we’ve also finished the laser-cut acrylic enclosures. Packaging materials, including cardboard boxes and stickers, are ready to go. In the coming weeks, we’ll complete packaging and transfer everything to the warehouse. From there, Crowd Supply’s fulfillment service will ship the ANAVI Dev Mic kits to all our backers.

Thank you again for your tremendous support, feedback, and contributions to our GitHub repositories. More updates are coming soon—stay tuned!

Step-by-Step Video Guide: Assembling Your ANAVI Dev Mic

The ANAVI Dev Mic is a small, open-source microphone kit designed for hobbyists and developers. It’s easy to assemble on your own, even with minimal tools. While you can complete the assembly using just your hands, a screwdriver will make the process quicker.

Components

When you open the ANAVI Dev Mic kit, you’ll find the following parts:

Black PCB with gold plating and white markings
Acrylic top cover
Acrylic bottom cover
Four 10 mm screws (M2.5)
Eight M2.5 nuts

NOTE: The kit does not include a USB-C cable. You can use one you already have or buy one separately.

Step 1: Remove Protective Layer

The acrylic covers are laser-cut and come with a protective film on both sides. Carefully peel off this film to reveal the clear acrylic.

Step 2: Attach the Top Cover

Take the PCB and the top acrylic cover, which has a circular cutout for the microphone. Align the cover with the corresponding circle on the PCB. Insert a screw into each of the four mounting holes and secure them with the nuts provided.

Step 3: Install the Bottom Cover

Next, place the bottom acrylic cover over the side of the PCB where the XIAO RP2040 module is located. Secure the cover by tightening it with the remaining four nuts.

Step 4: Connect and Use

With these simple steps completed, your microphone is ready to go. Just plug ANAVI Dev Mic into your computer using a USB-C cable, and you’re good to go!

Transform Wii Nunchuk into a USB-C Joystick for Your PC with ANAVI Handle

Let’s explore how to retrofit a classic Wii Nunchuk controller using ANAVI Handle, an open source hardware USB-C adapter that lets you connect a wired Nunchuk controller to any modern PC, be it a laptop or desktop. In this tutorial, you will learn how to configure the Nunchuk as a joystick and enjoy the open-source game “Tiny Crate”, all within your web browser.

Hardware Requirements

To get started, you’ll need:

A personal computer
A USB Type-C cable
An ANAVI Handle along with a Wii Nunchuk (or another compatible controller)

Software Configuration

Begin by connecting your Wii Nunchuk controller to your computer using the ANAVI Handle, an open-source hardware adapter. Next, edit the config.json file to enable joystick mode by adding:

{
    "type": "joystick"
}

The ANAVI Handle’s default open-source firmware (written in CircuitPython) uses the analog stick and buttons on the Nunchuk to control movement in joystick mode. After modifying config.json, disconnect and reconnect the ANAVI Handle to apply the changes.

The ANAVI Handle’s RGB LED provides visual feedback on the connection status:

A green light indicates a successfully connected Nunchuk controller.
A blue light shows the controller has been disconnected from the ANAVI Handle.
A red light signals an absent or improperly connected Nunchuk controller.

In the video, you’ll see the green light illuminated, confirming that everything is functioning correctly.

To quickly verify that your controller is working in joystick mode, load the HTML5 Gamepad Test in a modern web browser. This open-source tool is available on GitHub under the MIT license and provides a simple way to check your controller’s functionality.

Let’s Play!

Once everything is set up, you’re ready to dive into games that support joysticks!

While preparing this video, I discovered an incredible game called Tiny Crate. It’s a 2D puzzle game with charming pixel art graphics and joystick compatibility. Despite being a puzzle game, its game play evokes a sense of nostalgia for classic jump-and-run titles. Tiny Crate is an open-source game, with its source code available on GitHub. Developed using the Godot game engine, it’s playable on multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, and even Android.

I featured Tiny Crate while demonstrating the ANAVI Handle during the “Show and Tell” segment of Pi Wars, a Raspberry Pi-based, non-destructive robotics competition. Pi Wars 2024 took place on April 20th-21st in Cambridge, UK, attracting 58 teams of robot engineers. During my demonstration, children of all ages were captivated by Tiny Crate, so much so that many were too absorbed in solving game levels to notice the ANAVI Handle or the Nunchuk controller. This speaks volumes about the quality of Tiny Crate and the effectiveness of the ANAVI Handle in seamlessly converting the Nunchuk controller into a USB HID device.

If you’re passionate about gaming innovation and eager for a new experience, all you need is a Nunchuk controller and an ANAVI Handle. After a successful crowdfunding campaign ANAVI Handle is available at Crowd Supply. We will soon stock it at our other distributors. Follow this guide and get ready to enjoy hours of fun with your favorite games!

Compact Desktop Media Control with ANAVI Macro Pad 2

Do you remember the ANAVI Macro Pad 2, our tiny mechanical keyboard with just two keys? Built around the Microchip ATtiny85 microcontroller, it comes with QMK version 0.13.19 and is often used as a cool copy-paste keypad. However, its open-source firmware can be reprogrammed for various uses. Recently, Henrik shared a Crowd Supply “field report” about his impressive setup, using the ANAVI Macro Pad 2 to control audio streams with his favorite songs. Although the ANAVI Macro Pad 2 was successfully funded on Crowd Supply three years ago, in June 2021, we continue to update the documentation and share news with our backers. It’s fantastic to keep improving the product based on community feedback.

Henrik created a custom QMK keymap for the ANAVI Macro Pad 2 based on his needs: the left button is for “play/pause,” and the right button is for “next song.” He even configured the LEDs to light up when the buttons control media playback. Why hire a DJ when you can be the DJ with your homemade setup using the ANAVI Macro Pad 2?

After modifying the firmware, Henrik made a hardware customization. For fun, he changed the keycap on the right button to one featuring a sleeping unicorn. This new keycap, being heavier than the default translucent one, adds weight to the otherwise lightweight ANAVI Macro Pad 2. The keyboard comes with Gateron red mechanical switches, which are Cherry MX compatible, allowing for easy keycap changes. Henrik also shared his plans for future modifications, including a second custom keycap.

Nowadays, the ANAVI Macro Pad 2 is available for purchase from our distributors worldwide. If you need any help, feel free to get in touch. The user manual is available on GitHub. For more details about Henrik’s setup, check out his Crowd Supply field report.

Classical Gaming on a PC with RetroPie and Nintendo Wii Nunchuk Controller

Thanks to open source it is possible to enjoy your favorite arcade, home-console, and classic PC games on a budget setup. In this video tutorial, we will transform an old netbook into a portable retro-gaming machine using Raspberry Pi OS and RetroPie.

RetroPie is a software package designed to enable the emulation of classic video game consoles that sits on top of a full OS. In this tutorial we will install it on top of a Linux distribution. RetroPie allows users to play games from a wide range of vintage systems by using emulators for platforms such as:

Atari 2600, 5200, 7800, Lynx
Commodore 64
Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Super NES (SNES), Nintendo 64 (N64), Game Boy, Game Boy Advance
Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, Sega CD, Sega 32X, Sega Master System, Game Gear
Sony PlayStation 1

Required Hardware

This is the required hardware for this tutorial:

Personal computer (PC). For example an old netbook like Acer Aspire One D257 or Asus EeePC (or similar) with an Intel Atom or AMD CPU is a great fit.
ANAVI Handle open source hardware USB adapter for Wiimote attachments
Wii Nunchuk controller (or another compatible controller)

Software

Follow the steps below to install and configure all the required software on your computer.

Step 1: Install Raspberry Pi OS for Desktop

Raspberry Pi Desktop for PC and Mac is a 32-bit GNU/Linux operating system designed for older and less powerful computers. It’s based on Debian, a popular Linux distribution, and includes the Raspberry Pi OS desktop environment along with a set of recommended software. If you have an aging computer that can’t handle modern commercial operating systems, Raspberry Pi OS can revitalize it, making it usable again. To get started, download the OS, flash the ISO file onto a USB drive, boot from the USB on your computer, and proceed with the installation.

Step 2: Install RetroPie

Follow the official documentation for installing RetroPie on a PC running Debian or Ubuntu. Use the RetroPie setup script to perform a Basic Install.

Step 3: Transfer ROM files

After RetroPie is installed, you’ll need to move ROM files for your favorite games into the correct directories. If you followed the steps above, the main directory for all ROMs is located at ~/RetroPie/roms (or /home/pi/RetroPie/roms, which is the same). There are subdirectories for each supported emulated system, such as NES, SNES, and others.

Step 4: Connect ANAVI Handle and Nunchuk

The next step is to connect a Wii Nunchuk controller to your computer using our open-source hardware adapter. Edit config.json and enable keyboard mode:


{
    "type": "keyboard"
}

ANAVI Handle comes with open source firmware written in CircuitPython. The keyboard mode includes a D-pad (directional pad, aka arrows), along with A and B keys. Save the changes to config.json. Ensure they take effect by disconnecting and then reconnecting the ANAVI Handle. After that configure the controls in RetroPie using the Nunchuk controller and ANAVI Handle.

The RGB LED on ANAVI Handle indicates the connection state

Connection States Through RGB LED

The default open-source firmware uses the RGB LED to display three different connection states:

A green light means the Nunchuk controller is properly connected.
A blue light indicates the controller has been disconnected from the ANAVI Handle.
A red light warns that the Nunchuk controller is missing or not connected correctly.

In the demo video, you’ll see the green light on, signaling that you’re ready to enjoy some classic games!

Enjoy Retro Gaming on the Go

Once everything is set up, you can begin your retro-gaming adventure! Power on your computer. RetroPie will start automatically (unless you’ve configured it differently), allowing you to dive into a world of classic arcade, home console, and homebrew games. Whether you’re fighting aliens or challenging a heavyweight champ, a whole world of gaming awaits you. heavyweight champ, a whole world of gaming is waiting for you.

If you have an old Netbook, give it a second chance as portable gaming machine! Get a Nunchuk controller and our open source ANAVI Handle, follow this tutorial, and get ready to relive the golden age of gaming!

ANAVI Handle was Certified as Open Source Hardware with UID BG000134

The Open Source Hardware Association (OSHWA) officially certified our new gadget ANAVI Handle in April. ANAVI Handle is a small USB-C adapter with XIAO RP2040 that allows you to use Wii Nunchuk-compatible controllers as USB HID peripherals on your personal computer. You can configure ANAVI Handle to adapt the controller as a joystick, keyboard or a mouse.

OSHWA, a prominent U.S.-based non-profit, manages the Certified Projects Directory and annually hosts the prestigious Open Hardware Summit. Their certification program ensures that a project’s interpretation of “open source hardware” aligns with the community’s standards, promoting transparency and accessibility.

Each certified hardware version is identified by a unique identification number (UID) that includes a country code and a numerical sequence. On April 19th, ANAVI Handle version 1.0 was certified with the UID BG000134. This UID, displayed through the OSHW Certification Mark, simplifies navigation and information access for interested parties. The “BG” prefix indicates that the ANAVI Handle is from Plovdiv, Bulgaria, a city renowned as Bulgaria’s second-largest and Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city, with over 6000 years of history.

Our projects, including the ANAVI Handle, are distinguished by our unwavering commitment to complete openness. Every aspect of our design and functionality is made accessible to all, reflecting the true spirit of the open-source community. From the KiCad-designed printed circuit board to the highly-configurable firmware powered by CircuitPython, we exclusively use free and open-source software.

We launched ANAVI Handle on the market through a successful crowdfunding campaign at Crowd Supply. Place your order now to be among the first to experience the ultimate open-source USB adapter for your Nunchuk controller!

ANAVI Handle Crowdfunding Success: Kits Ready for Distribution and Available for Purchase

Exciting update, folks! The ANAVI Handle crowdfunding campaign wrapped up successfully a few weeks back. We’ve shipped all the kits to Crowd Supply’s warehouse, and they’re gearing up for distribution. In the next couple of weeks, orders will flow into Crowd Supply’s fulfillment system and be swiftly processed.

The ANAVI Handle is an open-source hardware USB adapter for the Nintendo Wiimote connector. Its open-source firmware transforms the Nunchuk controller into a USB mouse, keyboard, or joystick. If you missed out on the crowdfunding phase, don’t worry—you can still snag a kit from Crowd Supply.