M5Stack Launches Compact, ESP32-Powered ATOM Matrix and ATOM Lite Dev Kits

The M5Stack family of development kits has grown two larger with the launch of the ATOM Matrix ESP32, a compact design built around a 5x5 RGB LED matrix with Arduino, UIFlow, and MicroPython support, and the smaller ATOM Lite.

M5Stack launched three years ago via crowdfunding with a stackable, modular platform based on the ESP8266. Since then, the company has been coming out with a variety of other designs — though its latest trades the traditional screen for a matrix comprised of 25 RGB LEDs in a 5x5 layout in its default incarnation.

Brought to our attention by this Hackster project and CNX Software, the M5Stack ATOM Matrix uses an ESP32-PICO-D4 system-in-package with a dual-core 32-bit Tensilica LX6 processor running at 240Mhz, 250kB of static RAM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, and 4MB of storage. The top of the cube-shaped device is dominated by a 5x5 RGB LED matrix, underneath which is a button for user interaction; the underside has 2.54mm GPIO headers plus a Grove-compatible connector for external hardware. In addition to these, the design incorporates an MPU6886 inertial measurement unit, an infra-red LED, and the ESP32's built-in Hall-effect sensor.

For those who don't need a display, the ATOM Matrix is joined by the ATOM Lite — the same core design, but with the LED matrix replaced by a single RGB LED and the IMU removed. Both feature USB Type-C connections for both power and data, and are compatible with the Arduino IDE, MicroPython, and M5Stack's in-house Blockly-based UIFlow development environment.

M5Stack is selling the ATOM Matrix and ATOM Lite through its store, priced at $8.95 and $5.95 respectively. The company has also launched its ultra-compact live-view thermal imaging camera, teased late last year, for $429 including FLIR Lepon 3.0 imaging module.