LAST UPDATE Hello, MakerWorld Community!First off, a huge thank you to every single one of you. We already have over 700 watchers on the crowdfunding page!!! Honestly, I didn't expect such a response. Your trust has changed my approach: I decided not to rush a release "as is," but to seriously invest in quality and UX to live up to your expectations. Our project will not fall short of top-tier devices in this segment.Today, I’ll share details about major hardware changes, the new "heart" of the system, and our future plans.1. Visual Revolution: 4.3" IPS instead of 3.5" TFTThis is the biggest visual change. We are moving from a 480x320 resolution to a 800x480 IPS 4.3" screen. The difference in person is simply night and day. The camera doesn't fully convey the vibrancy, viewing angles, and font sharpness, but believe me—I never want to go back to the old screen.  I tested two boards with capacitive touch: the Sunton ESP32-8048s043 and the Waveshare ESP32-S3-Touch-LCD-4.3. My choice is the Waveshare. It has a more thoughtful form factor, good wiki, convenient mounts, and a smart connector layout, which is critical for our case design. However, I am still keeping Sunton in mind as an alternative.  Honest talk about the trade-offs: The Waveshare board lacks hardware PWM for smooth brightness adjustment "out of the box." However, this is a calculated compromise. Its advantages - ideal size, good wiki, smart connector layout, and price - far outweigh this limitation. We are solving the "night blindness" issue elegantly via software: I am developing a special "Dark Mode" with color inversion and a muted palette. It looks even cooler than simply lowering the brightness!  2. New LVGL Interface & Backer BonusesWith the new resolution, we need a new UI. I am rewriting the interface using the LVGL library. It will look modern, smooth, and professional. You can see the prototype in the photo.  Open Source vs. Crowdfunding:Basic Version: Fully Open Source code, clean and functional interface. Available to everyone for free.  Premium Version (for Crowdfunding participants): A special firmware version with expanded customization options (color selection, extra themes, extensions). The code for this version will also be available to you (in a private repository)—the Open Source philosophy remains! This Premium version is an exclusive reward for my backers, granting access to advanced customization features while ensuring the core project remains open and free for everyone. 3. Sensors: Switching to Sensirion SEN66During testing, I faced a reliability issue with the popular SGP41 sensor. I purchased three separate units, and one of them failed to work correctly. This highlights a major problem in the DIY world: when buying individual breakout modules, it is all too easy to run into counterfeits or components with poor quality control. I don't want you to face this lottery.A big thanks to @MobZ in the comments for the tip about the Sensirion SEN55. I studied the documentation and realized - this is the solution we need to ensure consistency. In the updated version, we will use the Sensirion SEN66. It is an new "All-in-One" module from a top-tier brand:Temperature & HumidityCO2VOC & NOx IndicesPM1.0, PM2.5, PM4.0, and PM10It is already running in my prototype, and the stability of the readings is impressive. The quality is top-notch. 4. "Heavy Artillery": Formaldehyde (HCHO)The SEN66 is beautiful, but it lacks a formaldehyde sensor (this feature is only in the SEN69C series, which isn't even on sale yet). By popular demand, I am adding optional support for the separate Sensirion SFA30 module. This is the undisputed "King" in this budget range. It is on its way to me for testing. This makes Project Aura a real desktop laboratory. The sensor will be optional - if you don't need it, you simply don't connect it.5. No-Solder AssemblyThe transition to Sensirion modules and the Waveshare board brings us closer to the main goal—No Soldering Assembly. I am 90% sure the final version can be assembled just by plugging in connectors, making it perfect for beginners—like a building block set. I will confirm this exactly once the stable final version is assembled.What's Next?Sensirion SFA30: Wiring, coding, and testing. RTC & Pressure: I ordered an external I2C Real Time Clock module (PCF8523) so data isn't lost on reboot/power loss, and high-precision barometers (DPS310 and BMP580). You will be able to connect whichever one is available to you without changing the code. More on this in the next post. Case: Due to the new 4.3" screen, the case will be completely redesigned. It's too early to talk about other case variations; I need to finish the main one first. Home Assistant: Yes, I think MQTT support will definitely be included. I understand this is critical for many of you. I haven't dived deep into it yet, but I'll try to share more in the next article.Question to the Community:I'm an engineer, not a marketer. Could you suggest which resources, forums, or subreddits would be appropriate to publish a detailed technical article about the project to attract like-minded people? I would be grateful for links and advice! Thank you for staying with the project. Follow my profile so you don't miss the new updates!

Want to track your 3D printer's progress at a glance—no app opening, no screen tapping? I rigged up a 16x16 LED grid and an ESP32 I had lying around. Now, whenever a print starts, it shows real-time progress directly on the panel via WLED and Home Assistant.Here’s exactly how to set this up. 🛠️ RequirementsMust-Have:ESP32 with WLED installedWLED added to Home AssistantA 16x16 (or any size) LED grid panel wired to ESP32Bambu Lab Integration installed in Home AssistantOptional but helpful:ChatGPT (to help out with coding if you get stuck) ✅ Step-by-Step Setup GuideStep 1: Add REST Command to ConfigurationWe’ll create a REST command in configuration.yaml that sends custom text updates to your WLED device. Open your configuration.yaml and add: # WLED TEXT CHANGER rest_command:  wled_text:    url: "http://WLED_IP/json/state"    method: POST    content_type: "application/json"    payload: ‘{"seg": [{"n": "{{ text }}"}]}’⚠️ Replace WLED_IP with your actual WLED device IP address and fully restart Home Assistant afterwards. Step 2: Create a Text HelperWe’ll need a text input field in Home Assistant to dynamically hold and send text to WLED.Go to Settings → Devices & Services → HelpersClick “+ Create Helper”Select “Text”Name it: Text_WLED_TextBoxSet Display mode to TextPick an icon if you want Step 3: Create an Automation to Update WLEDThis automation grabs the printer’s progress and sends it to your WLED grid.Go to Settings → Automations & ScenesClick “+ Create Automation”Choose “Start with an empty automation”Set a name like: WLED_PrintProgressUpdateTrigger ("When"):Choose your Bambu printer progress sensor.Example: sensor.a1_000000000000000_print_progressAction ("Then do"):Choose: Call ServiceService: rest_command.wled_textYAML mode:service: rest_command.wled_text data:  text: “{{ states('sensor.a1_000000000000000_print_progress') }}%”⚠️ Adjust sensor.a1_000000000000000_print_progress to match your exact printer entity. Step 3a: Test the WLED Text ManuallyLet’s verify WLED accepts text commands.Go to Developer Tools → ActionsClick “Go to YAML mode”Paste this and hit “Call Service”:service: rest_command.wled_text data:  text: “Hello WLED!”If you see “Hello WLED!” scroll across your LED panel, everything’s working.  Final Notes / ChecklistESP32 is flashed with WLED and connected to the LED panelWLED is configured in Home AssistantBambu printer entity is available and updatingREST command is in configuration.yaml (restart required after adding)Automation is correctly wired to the printer progress sensorYou can test and confirm text displays on WLEDFor an awesome 16x16 LED grid print, check out this one. Been using it myself and the diffusion is good! This is my first guide and I did most of this from memory. If something is not working or missing, feel free to let me know and will try to help you out.