Adafruit Teases Metro ESP32-S2, Promises Arduino and CircuitPython Compatibility and Speedy SPI
Arduino Uno form factor board offers an ESP32-S2 WROVER module with 4MB flash and 8MB PSRAM, STEMMA QT connector, and LiPo charging.
Adafruit has shown off the features of its upcoming Metro ESP32-S2, putting Espressif's latest Wi-Fi-enabled microcontroller into an Arduino Uno-style form factor with CircuitPython support.
"What's Metro shaped and has an ESP32-S2 Wi-Fi module? What has a STEMMA QT connector for I2C devices, and a LiPoly charger circuit? What's finishing up testing and nearly ready for fabrication? That's right — it's the new Adafruit Metro ESP32-S2," the company announced this week. "With native USB and a load of PSRAM this board is perfect for use with CircuitPython or Arduino, to add low-cost Wi-Fi while keeping shield-compatibility."
The development board, built in an Arduino Uno form factor, is powered by an Espressif ESP32-S2 WROVER system-on-module (SOM) with 240MHz Tensilica processor and ultra-low-power RISC-V coprocessor alongside 4MB of flash memory and 8MB of pseudo-static RAM (PSRAM).
A USB Type-C connector is provided for both data and power, with a DC jack offering an alternative 6-12V input; for portable use, there's a built-in lithium-polymer charging circuit. The board also includes a STEMMA QT connector for external I2C devices, plus an on-board RGB NeoPixel.
The board is currently going through the final stages of testing ahead of production. "We are testing it with Arduino [IDE]," the company explains. "There’s a branch for ESP32S2 support and it seems to work OK!" Support for the ESP32-S2 which powers the board is also available in CircuitPython, though in an early-beta format."
Interested parties can sign up to be notified when the board goes live for sale on the Adafruit website; in the meantime, anyone looking to experiment with the ESP32-S2 can immediately pick up one of Unexpected Maker's FeatherS2 boards.