The ESP32-S3 SenseCAP Watcher makes spaces smarter with its ability to see, hear, and speak like a physical AI agent. Seeed Studio designed it around the ESP32-S3 microcontroller and integrated the Himax WiseEye2 HX6538 AI chip, which combines an Arm Cortex-M55 and Ethos-U55 NPU. This setup gives the Watcher real-time image and vector data processing power.
The device features a built-in camera, microphone, and speaker to create a direct interface for natural voice interaction. It connects with the LLM-enabled SenseCraft suite, allowing it to recognize commands, interpret its surroundings, and deliver responsive actions seamlessly.
ESP32-S3 SenseCAP Watcher front and back side
SenseCAP Watcher Specifications:
The ESP32-S3 SenseCAP Watcher uses a dual-core Tensilica LX7 processor at 240 MHz along with 8 MB PSRAM, 32 MB flash for the ESP32-S3, and 16 MB flash for the Himax HX6538 AI processor. It supports Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz, IEEE 802.11 b/g/n) with up to 100 meters range in open areas and Bluetooth 5 LE for stable wireless communication. A 1.45-inch touchscreen with 412 x 412 resolution, a 120° FOV OV5647 camera, a single microphone, and a 1 W speaker enable the device to capture input, process it with AI, and respond instantly.
Seeed Studio equips the Watcher with a Grove IIC interface, dual USB-C ports for power and programming, a microSD card slot up to 32 GB, and a female header for GPIO and power expansion. It runs on a 5 V DC supply with a 400 mAh backup battery and works in environments between 0 °C and 45 °C. Developers integrate it with Grove, Home Assistant, Node-RED, Arduino, and ESP32 SDKs to create custom applications. With a compact 69 x 65 x 20 mm body, flexible mounting options, and built-in AI hardware, the ESP32-S3 SenseCAP Watcher delivers a complete platform for space monitoring and interactive projects.
SenseCAP Watcher Specifications
SenseCraft powers the interaction on the ESP32-S3 SenseCAP Watcher. The device captures audio and video, processes the data with its AI engine, and delivers responses based on user settings. Developers set up the Watcher through the SenseCraft AI-Watcher Agent platform. They connect it to Wi-Fi by joining the “Watcher-XXXX” hotspot, entering credentials at ‘http://192.168.4.1’, and completing registration with a unique verification code. This setup process stays quick and straightforward, and Seeed Studio provides a detailed Network Setup Guide on the official wiki page for additional support.
SenseCraft Watcher Agent to configure Watcher
Seeed Studio offers the SenseCAP Watcher for XiaoZhi at $59.00 through its China warehouse. The device also sells on Amazon for $79.99 and on AliExpress for $94.55. You can find full details and updates on the official product page.
ESP32-S3 SenseCAP Watcher for xiaozhi (Part List)
Niladri Chowdhury