Built on ESP32, Compatible With Arduino & MicroPython

Inkplate 10 is a powerful, energy-efficient, Wi-Fi enabled ESP32 board with a recycled 9.7 inch e-paper display. It’s open hardware supported by an open-source software library, and it’s easy to program, regardless of whether you prefer MicroPython or the Arduino IDE.

We rely on our screens to bring us a great deal of information about the world around us, and e-paper technology overcomes many of the limitations inherent in those we typically see on mobile phones, laptops, and external monitors. With properties such as high contrast, daylight readability, and remarkable energy efficiency (owing to the fact that they only draw power while changing what they display) e-paper screens are uniquely suited to many applications. And best of all, these particular screens are recycled from Amazon Kindles and other such e-readers that might otherwise end up in a scrap heap!

So, if you’re in the market for a nice-looking screen on which you can display whatever you want—wherever, at whatever time of day, and for however long you want—we invite you to check out Inkplate 10. We think you’ll find it delightful!

Bigger & Better

Inkplate 10’s little brother, Inkplate 6, was our first attempt to create a smart e-paper display for everyone. And it was a success! In just over a month, we received nine times the level of support we expected, and we’ve since shipped all crowdfunded Inkplates to their new owners. Satisfied backers have commented on the versatility and simplicity of the display, but they’ve also asked for more: a bigger display, faster speeds, and additional functionality. Well, we’ve been listening.

First and foremost, Inkplate 10 has a 9.7 inch, 1,200 x 825 pixel display with twice the resolution of its smaller sibling. But it has some nice under-the-hood upgrades, as well. Examples include more GPIO pins, an RTC clock, a 38% faster per-pixel refresh time, a USB Type-C port, and lower power consumption.

Kindles Have Nice Screens!

We’d rather see them in your hands than in a landfill somewhere. And by recycling used Kindle screens, we are able to offer high-end features at an affordable price. You can find more information in the comparison table below, but some of the highlights include:

• 3-bit grayscale, which allows Inkplate 10 to display black, white, and six different shades of gray. (A 1-bit black & white mode is also available.)
• 1.61 second refresh time, including cleanup, which makes it one of the fastest for an e-paper screen of this size
• Partial refresh support, so you don't have to reset the entire screen to add content

ESP32 is the Place to Be

Inkplate 10 is built around one of today’s most popular microcontrollers. If you already have experience working with ESP32, then you’re in good company. Developing for Inkplate 10 should feel mighty familiar. And if you’re new to ESP32, this is a great way to start learning a set of skills that will serve you well for a long time to come.

The ESP32 WROVER module at the heart of Inkplate 10 features:

• A dual-core microprocessor
• 8 MB of RAM
• 4 MB of flash
• Integrated Wi-Fi & Bluetooth 4.0 (BLE)

Features & Specifications

• Display:
  • A 9.7 inch, 1200 x 825 pixel e-paper display with support for grayscale, partial updates, and quick refresh cycles
  • A 1.61 second refresh time in black & white mode
  • A 1.81 second refresh time in grayscale mode
  • 0.62s for partial update
• Connectivity:
  • A USB Type-C port for programming and power
  • Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 (BLE) support thanks to the on-board ESP32 module
  • Plenty of additional GPIO pins and support for I²C, SPI, and easyC/Qwiic connectivity
  • A MicroSD card reader (for storing images to be displayed, among other uses)
• Power:
  • Extremely low power consumption, including a 22 µA sleep state that can go months on a single battery
  • A JST input and MCP73831 charger for Lithium battery power
  • An on-board Real Time Clock (RTC) to reduce power consumption and keep time
  • A power supply based on the Texas Instruments (TI) TPS65186
• Physical:
  • Three capacitive touch pads (usable through the optional enclosure)
  • A Push button for power and an additional user button ("WAKE")
  • A form factor that's optimized for custom enclosures
  • An optional 3D-printed enclosure (source files will be available by the time Inkplate 10 ships to backers)
  • Dimensions: 23 x 18 x 1 cm
  • Weight: 260 g
• Software:
  • Arduino libraries (100% compatible with Adafruit GFX) and a MicroPython module that facilitate the rendering of text, images, and line art. ESP-IDF driver will be available as well.
  • An Online Image Converter to prepare you images for display on Inkplate 10
  • A GUI Designer to help you build a user interface for your own application

The Thing About E-Paper Is…We Do a Lot With Paper!

Plug Inkplate 10 into your computer with a USB cable, connect it to your network over Wi-Fi, write a few lines of code, and get to work on your project—whether that project involves showing off your photographs, keeping an eye on your calendar, monitoring your investments, reading your correspondence, leaving a note on the door of your refrigerator, or bringing some other paper-based technology into the 21st century. Examples might include:

• A high-latency information panel - Show calendar, temperature, weather, and air quality data. Track your stocks, learn a new word each day, display information about whatever song is playing, or keep tabs on your social media accounts. Inkplate 10 will draw almost no power until it needs to pull new data or refresh its screen.
• A collaborative task tracker - Maintain shared lists of groceries to buy, chores to do, and birthdays to remember. No dry-erase markers required. Or replace the power-hungry wall monitor in your office with an e-paper kanban on each desk.
• A minimalist e-paper typewriter - Get those words out, store them on an SD card, and sync them to the cloud, all while keeping your distance from distractions like social media and email.
• An open hardware e-reader - Sweep aside the barriers put in place by restrictive, centralized platforms, and e-read whatever you want!
• Art - Frame photographs pulled from an SD card or an online camera roll. Or generate abstract art from sensor data. Or torment your house guests with a modern take on the classic, black-and-white "photo booth."

Yes, you could do all of the above with traditional display technology. In a dimly lit room, within range of a wall plug. But where’s the fun in that? Whatever your e-paper idea might be, as long as it’s compatible with a ten inch screen, Inkplate 10 will get you prototyping in no time.

Use Arduino IDE, MicroPython, ESP-IDF or Something Else Entirely

We designed Inkplate 10 with ease of use in mind, so it’s a breeze to program. Just plug in a USB cable, open the IDE, pull up some sample code, and click upload. Change a few lines, click upload again, and you’re on your way. And it’s 100% compatible with Adafruit GFX, so won’t need to learn any strange new graphic libraries.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned programmer, we’ve got you covered. Inkplate 10 is as versatile as it is intuitive. If you like a good old-fashioned Arduino IDE, our library will have you rendering your own images in five minutes. No exaggeration. For higher level programming, we also maintain a MicroPython module that’s just as easy to use. And for the hardened ESP32 programmers out there, we also support ESP-IDF. Regardless, our documentation is here to help.

And if none of those options appeal to you, don’t worry. Inkplate 10 also supports Peripheral Mode, which allows you to control your display by sending simple commands over UART. Once you’ve connected to the USB port (or to the ESP32 module’s TX and RX lines), the following will draw a circle with radius of 40 at location (50,100):

#9(050,100,040,01)*

To learn more about Inkplate 10’s Peripheral Mode protocol, please see our documentation.

Comparisons

Support & Documentation

Inkplate 10 is open hardware, and OSHWA certification is in the works. All of the hardware design files and software for Inkplate 10 is openly maintained in our GitHub repositories, and documentation is available online. If you don’t find the information you are looking for, we provide free technical support for all of our products on our English-language forum. You can also contact us through our campaign page.

Manufacturing Plan

We here at e-radionica.com have years of experience manufacturing electronic products. We are also fortunate enough to have our own in-house manufacturing line, which is staffed by experts who have handled large production runs many times before. And, in addition to our 2000-unit "practice run" with Inkplate 6, we’ve made several batches of Inkplate 10 prototypes. We are confident that this product is ready for mass production, and that we can comfortably handle large shipments while ensuring proper quality control.

Fulfillment & Logistics

Once the Inkplate 10 boards are manufactured and tested, we will send them from Osijek, Croatia to Crowd Supply’s facility in the United States for final delivery to backers. Mouser is handling the shipping, and we all know they will do it properly. Each unit will be protected by a sealed ESD bag, padding, and a sturdy cardboard box. We expect to begin shipping by the end of April 2021. Please see Crowd Supply’s guide for more information about ordering, paying, and shipping

Risks & Challenges

As with Inkplate 6, we have thoroughly tested both the hardware and the firmware for Inkplate 10. Having been through several prototyping runs, we believe we have worked out all of the technical issues. We have also identified backup suppliers for most components. The e-paper screen at the core of Inkplate 10 is recycled, but there is currently no shortage of them on the market. If demand exceeds available quantity, we will try to identify additional suppliers and, if necessary, push back estimated ship dates for subsequent sales.

While shipping delays are always a risk, we have quite a lot of experience moving products around the world, and we intend to use that experience to keep those risks to a minimum.