LilyGO's ESP32-Powered TTGO T-Block Range Offers Compact Development Potential with Trolley Add-ons
A high-density connector interfaces with optional covers including a keypad, an ePaper display, and LED matrix, and a gas sensor.
LilyGO has further expanded its TTGO T-Watch ecosystem, launching a new family of modular development boards built around the Espressif ESP32 microcontroller: the T-Block family, with its growing range of add-on "Trolley" boards.
Designed to be software compatible with the TTGO T-Watch range, and in some documentation even referred to as the "T-Watch-Block," the T-Block ditches the watch form factor for a compact block in eye-catching yellow. Inside the block, described as a "T-Block Host," is an Espressif ESP32 module featuring a 32-bit Xtensa LX6 CPU running at 240MHz, 520kB of static RAM (SRAM), a further 8MB of pseudostatic RAM (PSRAM), and 16MB of flash, alongside Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and an internal battery charged via USB Type-C.
It's the modular nature of the T-Block that makes it interesting, though. LilyGO has launched the board with a range of add-ons, designed to slot into a high-density connector on the top of the host board. Dubbed "Trolleys," these extend the board's capabilities: One Trolley adds an RGB LED matrix, another adds a number pad input system, while the "Trolley B" board offers female headers compatible with a range of common sensor and output devices.
The company has also unveiled additional Trolley boards not yet listed for sale on the LilyGO Tindie store, as brought to our attention by CNX Softwar: an ePaper display, an MQ gas sensor, and a prototyping board — along with a "T-Block Special" variant, which adds a pair of motorized wheels to the base of the T-Block.
LilyGO has begun selling the T-Block range on its official Tindie store, starting at $14.69 for the T-Block Host with no Trolley.
At the time of writing, only versions based on the CH9102 USB-to-serial chip were available — limiting data transfer to 4Mbps and with no support for macOS. The company has listed variants built around the CH340K and CP210X, the latter of which has full macOS support and operates up to 12Mbps, but they were not available for sale.