Project Aura
This is not just another board with a sensor and experimental code. Project Aura was conceived and realized as a finished instrument — reliable, predictable, and convenient for daily use in a home or workshop.
Why I Created This Project
This project started not with a business plan, but with a personal question: we live in the era of smart watches, sleep trackers, calorie counters, and 'smart' plugs — yet we have practically no control over the air we breathe every day.
Yet, in most homes, this critical factor remains completely invisible.
Air quality directly affects concentration, sleep, immunity, and general well-being — especially in children.
What Problems Project Aura Solves
Aura makes the invisible visible, helping you take control.
The "Zombie" Effect
At concentrations above 1000–1200 ppm, attention decreases. Above 1400 ppm, cognitive functions drop by 50%. Aura tells you when to ventilate.
(PM2.5 / PM10)
Smoke, soot, and exhaust fumes. Aura measures the full spectrum of particles — from PM1 to PM10 that penetrate deep into the lungs.
& Pollen
PM4/PM10 particles include plant pollen and mold spores. Critical monitoring for allergy sufferers and children's rooms.
Gases & Traffic
Relevant for kitchens with gas stoves and homes near busy roads. The device will suggest when to turn on the exhaust hood.
Formaldehyde
"New renovation smell," particleboard furniture, and household chemicals. Aura sees volatile compounds even if they are odorless.
& Pressure
Absolute humidity to control air dryness and a 24-hour pressure graph for weather-sensitive people.
Project Evolution
The first version of Project Aura was an experimental prototype requiring soldering skills. I gathered community feedback and completely redesigned the device.
The updated version is a serious step forward:
No Compromises
Powerful all‑in‑one: Dual-core, 16 MB Flash, 4.3" IPS (800×480) with capacitive touch. Like upgrading from an old TV to a modern tablet.
Swiss Made precision. Measures PM1 / PM2.5 / PM4 / PM10, CO₂, VOC, NOx, T° and Humidity. Replaces a full lab setup.
Optional module support via Grove. If disconnected, the UI intelligently adapts to display AQI instead.
Supports Adafruit BMP580/DPS310. Built-in RTC with battery backup keeps time accurate even offline.
Interface & UX
Project Aura is not just numbers. The interface is built on LVGL and works smoothly, with animations, gradients, and shadows.
Assembly: Construction Set for Adults
In the new version, I completely abandoned soldering. All connections are made via Grove / STEMMA QT / Qwiic. Only one simple pin swap in one cable is required.
Connectors Only
No soldering iron needed. Uses industrial standard Grove & JST cables for secure connections.
One-Click Firmware
Launch the Web Installer in Chrome, connect via USB, and click "Install". It's that simple.
Fits Organically
The case is designed for 3D printing (FDM/SLA) and looks great in any home interior.
Local & Private
Project Aura is completely autonomous. All data remains inside your local network and is never sent to third-party cloud services. You own your data.
Home Assistant
Thanks to MQTT Auto‑Discovery, the device automatically appears in Home Assistant with over 20 ready-made entities. No complex YAML config needed.
Bill of Materials (BOM)
| Component | Details | Price (~) |
|---|---|---|
| Brain + Screen | Waveshare ESP32‑S3‑Touch‑LCD‑4.3 | ~$33 |
| Air Sensor | Sensirion SEN66 (Industrial Grade) | ~$60 |
| Breakout Board | Adafruit SEN6x Breakout | ~$6 |
| Barometer | Adafruit BMP580 / BMP581 or DPS310 | ~$8 |
| RTC (Clock) | Adafruit PCF8523 + CR1220 Battery | ~$8 |
| I2C Hub | Adafruit Qwiic / STEMMA QT 5‑Port | ~$6 |
| SFA30 (Option) | Formaldehyde Sensor (Sensirion) | ~$55 |
| Misc | Capacitor 10V 470µF, Grove Terminal | ~$4 |
| Cables | Set of Grove / JST-SH / JST-GH cables | ~$9 |
| Fasteners | Bolts M2.5×6 (20 pcs) | ~$3 |
| TOTAL | Full Build Cost (Estimate) | ~$170–180 |
The cost of ~$170–180 is strictly the price of quality components. It does not include hundreds of hours of development. Try to find a ready-made device with a SEN66-level sensor, separate HCHO module, large touch screen, and local integration — and you will see how much professional solutions of this class cost.
Project Status
Prototype Assembled
Fully functional prototype is working.
Testing & Polish
Final stress tests and documentation polishing are underway.
Community Goals
Alternative cases and new features.
"If the project gathers an active community, alternative cases and further functionality development are planned."
Where to Learn More
Crowdfunding page and project support.
Source code and technical documentation.
Video demonstration of the device.
You don't need to install Arduino IDE or compile code. Just connect the device via USB and launch the installer.
Open Web Installer