Show HN: Voice assistant software for ESP32 in C

A bilingual voice-powered AI companion, built using XiaoZhi’s intelligent assistant platform.

English | 中文 | 日本語

Wally is a warm, reliable voice assistant in the shape of a penguin. It is designed to help users with reminders, productivity, daily conversations, and emotional support — all packed into a portable ESP32-based device.

• Voice Wake-Up: Wake word: "Hi, Wally" triggers Wally to start listening and responding
• Bilingual Voice Chat: Fluent interaction in both English and Mandarin
• Real-Time Streaming Responses: Instant replies from XiaoZhi-powered LLM backend (Qwen, Deepseek etc)
• OLED/Display Feedback: On-screen reply visualization with various emojis for interaction

Coming soon...

• Powered by: XiaoZhi cloud + ESP32 firmware
• Board compatibility: DFRobot (UNIHiker)
• Backend: Uses XiaoZhi’s LLM (Qwen, Deepseek, etc) response system
• Frontend: Device firmware via XiaoZhi flashing tools and preset images
• Wake Word Engine: ESP-SR based offline recognition
• Voice Synthesis: TTS via Volcano Engine or CosyVoice
• Outer Shell: Designed in Tynkercad and 3D printed via Bambu Lab P1

1. Turn on Wally
   Flip the switch on Wally’s back to power it on.

2. Enter Configuration Mode
   Remove Wally’s head to access the internal board. On the back of the board, locate the round button next to the white battery stand. Press that button and the one labeled “B” at the same time. Wally will report: “Entering network configuration mode.”

3. Connect to Wally’s Setup Network
   On your phone or laptop, connect to the Wi-Fi network named Xiaozhi. A configuration webpage should automatically open. If it doesn’t, open your browser and go to the address displayed on Wally’s screen.

4. Enter Your Wi-Fi Details
   On the setup page, input your Wi-Fi network’s name (SSID) and password. (You can choose to remember this network for future use.)

5. You're All Set!
   Once configuration is complete, follow the next set of instructions to start using Wally.

1. Say "Hi, Wally" to wake Wally up.
2. Start chatting with Wally.
3. Say any form of goodbye you like to shut Wally down.

Special thanks to:

• Xiao Xia and his amazing project XiaoZhi
• The Xiao Zhi Platform

Let's make Wally better! Feel free to open issues and pull requests.

This project is licensed under the MIT License