M5StickS3 ESP32S3 Mini IoT Development Kit

The M5StickS3 is a compact and powerful programmable controller for remote control and IoT applications. The device is based on the ESP32-S3-PICO-1-N8R8 main control chip and supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi communication with integrated 8 MB Flash and 8 MB PSRAM for demanding application development. For human-machine interaction, the device offers a 1.14-inch LCD display, a 6-axis IMU sensor, and programmable buttons. The audio system uses the ES8311 mono audio codec combined with a high-sensitivity MEMS microphone and AW8737 power amplifier for clear audio recording and Hi-Fi output. This optimally supports voice recognition and interactive applications. Additionally, the device integrates infrared transmitter and receiver as well as a 250 mAh lithium battery. The magnetic back design allows for flexible mounting options. The M5StickS3 is ideal for smart home control, AI voice assistants, and IoT project development.

Features:

ESP32-S3-PICO-1-N8R8 dual-core processor with 240 MHz offers powerful processing capacity
ES8311 audio codec with 24-bit resolution enables high-quality voice recording and playback
BMI270 6-axis IMU captures acceleration and rotational motion for gesture control and motion detection
Integrated IR transmitter and receiver allows control of household appliances and consumer electronics
Hat2-Bus extension with 16 pins allows diverse module extensions and customizations
Magnetic back allows quick attachment to metallic surfaces without additional accessories
Suitable for the Claude Desktop Buddy – Anthropic's BLE-API for connecting maker devices to Claude Cowork and Claude Code

Application Examples:

AI voice assistant with local voice processing powered by the high-performance ESP32-S3 processor
Smart home remote control with IR control for TV, air conditioning, and other devices
Portable environmental monitor with temperature, humidity, and air quality sensors
Interactive wearable with motion detection for fitness tracking or gesture recognition
IoT gateway with Wi-Fi connectivity for distributed sensor networks
Claude Desktop Buddy – compact AI companion device displaying permission prompts and session status for Claude Cowork and Claude Code

Claude Desktop Buddy – Community Hardware

The M5StickS3 is used by the maker community as a compact platform for the Claude Desktop Buddy – a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connected device with Claude Cowork and Claude Code, displaying permission prompts and session status directly on the device, and enabling approve/deny actions.

Anthropic provides an official reference implementation as an ESP32-Arduino project: github.com/anthropics/claude-desktop-buddy (Nordic UART Service over BLE, JSON wire protocol, folder push transport for character packs).

Why the StickS3 fits:

ESP32-S3 with 8 MB Flash and 8 MB PSRAM – offers significantly more memory than the original StickC Plus
1.14″ LCD, MEMS microphone, ES8311 audio codec, IR-TX and RX, magnetic back
BLE-enabled thanks to ESP32-S3, compact 20 g for mobile use

Note: An adaptation of the official firmware to the StickS3 pin layout is required (community forks and instructions are available in the official repository and M5Stack forum). The BLE-API is activated in developer mode of the Claude Desktop App (Help → Troubleshooting → Enable Developer Mode).