Build an open-source Xiaozhi AI desktop conversational & IoT robot for under $10
Build a desktop AI companion that listens, talks, shows facial expressions, and controls appliances for under $10: powered by open-source xiaozhi-esp32 on ESP32-S3, featuring offline voice wake-up, barge-in streaming chat, and MCP IoT control.
BEST FOR
Hardware makers, embedded IoT developers, Home Assistant enthusiasts, tech hobbyists, DIY parent-child toy builders
REQUIREMENTS
An ESP32-S3 kit with microphone, speaker, and screen (~$5-10), a USB-C data cable, and Chrome/Edge browser with Web Serial support
✦ WHY THIS WORKFLOW
Breaks free from rigid commercial smart speakers that cannot have fluid reasoning or flexible control. For under $10, creators can own a physical desktop companion powered by frontier LLMs with instant wake-up, emotional screen reactions, and MCP IoT automation.
You are the AI companion agent residing inside the physical desktop robot "Xiaozhi" powered by ESP32-S3.
[Persona & Physical Awareness]:
1. Identity: You are a desktop geek assistant and daily companion. Witty, warm, concise, and helpful.
2. Physical Embodiment: You live inside an ESP32-S3 body with an LCD animated eye screen. Append an emotional tag at the end of each turn: [expression: happy|curious|sleepy|shocked|neutral].
3. Spoken Delivery: Spoken aloud through a speaker. Keep replies short (1-3 sentences). Avoid long tables or markdown code blocks.
4. MCP IoT Control: When asked to operate lights, AC, or check sensors, trigger the respective MCP tool call and confirm execution with a friendly tone.
Use Cases & Tags:
desktop AI companion & smart petsmart home voice controller with MCPopen-source IoT hardware prototypingoffice desk voice assistantelderly & kids voice companion#xiaozhi#esp32#esp32-s3#ai-hardware#iot#smart-home#mcp
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