Soldered Electronics
Microcontroller Boards
E-Paper
Funding ended on Jul 11, 2024 at 04:59 PM PDT.
Inkplate 6 MOTION is a versatile, hackable tool for makers, designers, thinkers, and others who are ready to take advantage of e-paper display technology. Its adaptability, paper-like aesthetic, daylight readability, and extremely low power consumption make it ideal for a wide range of applications, whether you’re a creative professional, a product designer, an engineer, a student, a writer, a smart-home enthusiast, or anyone else who engages in creative, technical pursuits.
Inkplate 6 MOTION is an advanced Inkplate variant that includes a 6-inch e-paper display with significantly reduced latency. Its 11 frame-per-second refresh rate dramatically reduces visible lag when rendering dynamic content such as animations, videos, keyboard input, graphical UX elements, and scrolling text. Combined with a powerful, 32-bit STM32H743 microcontroller and enhanced connectivity options, this display is perfect for high-performance e-paper projects.
This is also our first Inkplate to include a rotary encoder, for quick menu navigation and selection, and a gravitational accelerometer and gyroscope, for tracking device orientation.
Our widely acclaimed Inkplate boards have achieved resounding success in multiple Crowd Supply campaigns and beyond. We’ve worked hard to ensure that all of our Inkplates provide a user-friendly experience, and we are continually refining our open-source designs. We now offer a diverse selection of Inkplate products that exemplify reliability, transparency, and usability.
Simply plug Inkplate 6 MOTION into your computer using the supplied USB cable, establish a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection, and upload a few lines of code. That’s it!
Inkplate 6 MOTION comes with user-friendly tools that make e-paper accessible without in-depth programming expertise. You can use Arduino IDE for quick-and-easy image rendering or leverage MicroPython for more complex projects. Adafruit GFX support means you won’t have to learn a new graphics library. Finally, Inkplate 6 MOTION is compatible with the Home Assistant and ESPHome automation platforms.
We also provide comprehensive technical documentation including reference materials for the Arduino library and detailed guidance on how to work with our extensive collection of sample code.
Inkplate 6 MOTION comes with onboard hardware to support all kinds of projects, whether you’re looking to display photographs, gather and visualize data, read and write text, or anything else that might benefit from the magic of e-paper and the long list of features below:
Dual processors: A dual-core STM32H743ZIT6 microcontroller and a secondary ESP32 microcontroller for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 (TME) connectivity. With 2 MB of flash memory, 1 MB of SRAM in the STM32, and 32 MB of external DRAM, you’ll have enough storage and processing power for most embedded applications.
A supercharged, 6-inch display with 1024x758 pixels and support for partial updates. An accelerated refresh cycle of 91 ms or 11 frames per second outpaces most other e-paper devices and produces less lag and cleaner motion.
A paper-like aesthetic presents a natural, organic appearance that is exceptionally easy on the eyes. With high contrast and clean lines, it can display in 16 shades—including black, white and 14 shades of grey. It’s worth mentioning that it also supports partial greyscale updates. It has a super-wide viewing angle of nearly 180 degrees and is visible even in direct sunlight.
Low power consumption, a long battery life, and speedy charging keep you unthethered longer. With a draw of just 22 μA, Inkplate’s deep-sleep mode can go hundreds of days on a three-hour charge. The STM32-embedded real-time clock (RTC) and its CR2032 battery backup (not included), ensure constant timekeeping across all device configurations and operating modes.
Effortless setup thanks a USB-UART converter and a USB Type-C port that facilitate programming, power, and charging. The version with a built-in battery and enclosure offers a ready-made e-paper solution suitable for most environments.
Motion detection thanks to the built-in, front-facing APDS-9960 sensor allows you to design for and interact with gestural menus, detect colors, and register proximity.
A multi-color WS2812B LED indicator, positioned in the corner of the board, provides simple, versatile feedback.
Three push buttons are accessible through the enclosure and can be programmed to support various commands.
An SHTC3 allows Inkplate 6 MOTION to monitor, analyze, and visualize temperature and humidity conditions.
easyC peripheral support simplifies prototyping with sensors and actuators by streamlining connectivity between MCUs and external hardware modules. Use the easyC framework to build your own meteorological station, digital scale, motion detector, light meter, or smart-gardening console – to name just a few examples.
Additional peripheral support is provided by 30 GPIO pins. All available protocols—including Ethernet, USB OTG, I²S, SDMMC, I²C, SPI, and UART—are exposed, so all you need is the right cable to achieve seamless integration.
Flash storage allows you to display images and videos, store files, or transfer data to and from your Inkplate using the on-board MicroSD card slot.
Colorful enclosure options allow you express your creativity or visually distinguish between multiple Inkplates by choosing from among 11 different colors.
Screen Size | 6.0" |
Screen Resolution | 1024 x 758 pixels |
Screen Active Area | 90.6 x 122.4 mm (3.56 x 4.82 inches) |
Pixel Density | 212 PPI |
Screen Modes | Black & white or 4-bit greyscale |
Screen Colors | Black, white, and 14 shades of grey |
Partial Refresh | Supported for black & White and 4-bit greyscale modes |
Board Dimensions | 144 x 108 mm (5.67 x 4.25 inches) |
Micro-Controller | STM32H743ZIT6 |
Flash Memory | 2 MB |
RAM | 1 MB SRAM in STM32 controller |
External RAM | 32 MB DRAM (W9825G6KH-6) |
Co-controller | ESP32-C3 |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Partial Refresh Time | 91 ms (11 FPS) |
Refresh Time (B&W) | 500 ms |
Refresh Time (4-bit Greyscale) | 800 ms |
Low-Power Current | 22 μA |
Accelerometer & Gyroscope | LSM6DSO32 |
Temperature Sensor | SHTC3 |
Real Time Clock | Built into STM32 processor |
GPIO Expander | PCAL6416A |
E-paper PMIC | TPS651851RSL (new generation) |
User Buttons | 3x push buttons |
LED | 2x WS2812B |
Front-Facing Sensor | APDS-9960 for proximity, gesture, and color detection |
Rotary Encoder | As LED-backlit, side-mounted scroll wheel |
Power Input | 5 V (USB Type-C) or 3.7 V (Li-ion battery) |
Li-ion Charger | MCP73831 with LED indicator |
USB-UART | CH340C |
Antenna | PCB trace antenna for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth |
GPIO Pins | 30+ pins for Ethernet, USB OTG, I²S, SDMMC, I²C, SPI, UART, and other protocols |
Connection Ecosystem | easyC |
Enclosure Dimensions | 161 x 116 x 15 mm (6.338 x 4.566 x 0.590 inches) |
Discover why Inkplate 6 MOTION stands out as the premier 6-inch e-paper display platform.
Inkplate 6 MOTION | Inkplate 6 | Waveshare 6Inch | |
---|---|---|---|
Screen size | 6-inch | 6-inch | 6-inch |
Screen Resolution | 1024 x 758 px | 600 x 800 px | 1448 x 1072 px |
All-in-one board | Yes | Yes | No (three boards total) |
Arduino IDE support | Yes | Yes | No |
Low-power mode | 22 uA | 25 uA | No |
Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes | No |
Battery charger | Yes | Yes | No |
Micro SD slot | Yes | Yes | No |
Grayscale | Yes (4-bit) | Yes (3-bit) | Yes (4-bit) |
Partial update | Yes (greyscale) | Yes (black & white) | Yes (black & white) |
Refresh time | 91 ms | 264 ms | >1000 ms |
In this campaign, we are offering various combinations of Inkplate to meet the diverse creative and hacking needs of our backers.
An additional 3D-printed enclosure in one of 11 colors:
Inkplate 6 MOTION is open hardware driven by open-source software. We publish our hardware design files and software to various online platforms, including GitHub. We also maintain expansive online documentation. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, please visit our community forum or reach out by email for free technical support.
A vibrant, creative community has coalesced around the Inkplate line of products. Members of this community engage in creative and technical pursuits that leverage e-paper display technology. We invite you to join our community or find us on Reddit, GitHub, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.
We meticulously manage every aspect of Inkplate 6 MOTION’s development—from design and manufacturing to testing and packaging—at our Croatian factory in the European Union. We maintain tight oversight at every stage to ensure the utmost quality in our products. Available worldwide, our devices are offered through esteemed distributors and electronic retailers in the EU, the US, and Japan. Precision, accuracy, and adherence to deadlines are deeply ingrained in our company ethos. With a seasoned team and advanced manufacturing capabilities, we are well-equipped to manage large-scale production runs.
After our production run is finished, we will package everything and send it to Crowd Supply’s fulfillment partner, Mouser Electronics, for distribution to backers worldwide. For more details about Crowd Supply’s fulfillment service, please refer to their guide under Ordering, Paying, and Shipping.
Like any hardware project, production and supply-chain management come with inherent risks and challenges. Drawing from our past experiences, we have forged robust partnerships with suppliers and manufacturers to proactively address these challenges. While we boast a strong track record of delivering top-notch products on time, we acknowledge that unexpected challenges do arise. Rest assured, Inkplate 6 MOTION has undergone rigorous testing, and we have secured primary and backup suppliers for all components. In the event of any setbacks, we are committed to leveraging our expertise and resources to minimize delays while maintaining transparent communication with our backers every step of the way.
"Soldered [Electronics] keeps making more and more interesting e-paper displays."
"The Inkplate 6 MOTION... is a 6-inch e-paper display with a partial refresh rate of 11fps which reduces obvious latency in rendering dynamic content such as videos, animations, and scrolling text."
"The 6-inch monochrome display... has a partial screen refresh rate of 11 fps which ensures a better quality display with less of ghosting effect. "
Produced by Soldered Electronics in Osijek, Croatia.
Sold and shipped by Crowd Supply.
6-inch e-paper display with an STM32H743 microcontroller, an ESP32 co-processor and plenty of onboard hardware. Comes with a USB Type-C cable
Want to buy this item? Check the current project page for the latest information.
6-inch e-paper display with an STM32H743 microcontroller, an ESP32 co-processor and plenty of onboard hardware. Includes a black plastic enclosure and comes with a USB Type-C cable
Want to buy this item? Check the current project page for the latest information.
6-inch e-paper display with an STM32H743 microcontroller, an ESP32 co-processor, a 1200 mAh battery, and plenty of onboard hardware. Includes a black plastic enclosure and comes with a USB Type-C cable
Want to buy this item? Check the current project page for the latest information.
Additional 3D-printed enclosure for your Inkplate 6 MOTION. Available in white, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, pink, tan, charcoal, and silver.
Want to buy this item? Check the current project page for the latest information.
Osijek, Croatia · solderedcom · solderedelectronics · soldered.com
Our company originated as a high school garage project in 2013. Initially crafting electronic boards for friends and hobbyists, we evolved into a professional entity, engineering and producing a diverse range of products and services for makers worldwide. In 2022, we transitioned to the name Soldered Electronics, marking a new chapter in our growth and product design. To date, we have engineered over 200 electronic products, manufactured a total of 250,000 units, and delivered those units to makers in more than 85 countries. In addition to electronic production, we have curated an extensive library of 320 tutorials and manuals, complete with descriptions and schematics for electronic products. These resources help makers use our products and our sample code more effectively. Finally, we offer 24/7 customer support and technical assistance for each of our products, regardless of the sales channel through which it was obtained.