I’ve been absolutely thrilled with the ESP32-P4 Smart 86 Box 4″ touch panel I recently came across. It’s a compact, feature-rich device that seems perfect for integrating into my home automation setup. Let me share my initial impressions and thoughts after spending some time with it!
Why It Caught My Eye
The ESP32-P4 offers a lot out of the box:
- 4″ IPS display with a 720 × 720 resolution and five-point capacitive touch, which is ideal for Lovelace grids.
- Wi-Fi 6 + BLE 5 connectivity, ensuring smooth communication with other devices.
- Dual microphones with echo cancellation and an ES8311 codec, making it a great candidate for a local voice assistant.
- A variety of I/O options, including USB-OTG, RS-485, and two opto-isolated relays, which opens up endless possibilities for integration.
My Experience So Far
I’ve been experimenting with setting up the ESP32-P4 as a wall panel in my living room. The installation was straightforward, and the display quality is impressive. The touch response is smooth, and the screen brightness adjusts nicely to ambient lighting.
One thing I’m particularly excited about is the potential for local voice control. The built-in audio hardware seems robust, and I’m hopeful that integrating a voice assistant like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa will be seamless. I’ve started tinkering with ESPHome configurations and have had some success in getting basic commands to work.
Challenges and Learning
Of course, there’s a learning curve. Configuring the device to work perfectly with Home Assistant has required some trial and error. For example, setting up MQTT topics and ensuring reliable communication has taken some time. I’ve had to refer to the ESPHome documentation and some community threads to get everything working smoothly.
Future Plans
I’m planning to use the ESP32-P4 in multiple rooms, following the setup outlined in GUITION’s wall-panel thread. This will allow me to create a consistent and intuitive interface across my home. I’m also looking into using the device for controlling my Z-Wave and Zigbee devices, which should further enhance my home automation experience.
A Call to the Community
If anyone else has experience with the ESP32-P4 or similar devices, I’d love to hear your tips and tricks! Whether it’s about optimizing performance, setting up custom integrations, or troubleshooting common issues, your insights would be invaluable.
In summary, the ESP32-P4 is a promising addition to my home automation setup. It’s versatile, well-equipped, and has the potential to serve as a central hub for controlling various smart devices. I’m excited to continue exploring its capabilities and sharing my journey with the community!
Happy automating! 