Affordable, ESP32-Powered Open Hardware

Maypole looks (and even behaves) like a USB flash memory stick. But it has a secret. Thanks to the ESP32 at its heart, it also lets you to transfer files— over a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection—to and from an on-board MicroSD card with room for up to 32 GB of data. Which means, of course, that it’s not just you who can transfer files this way. Configured appropriately, Maypole turns any USB port into hub for wireless collaboration.

Maypole solves a number of problems right out of the box. Thanks to its built-in LiPo battery, you can use it to back up your data without even plugging it in. Or you can load it up with files through the USB interface and distribute those files to others, in a small group setting, without the malware risks that come from "passing it around."

But Maypole really shines when it’s plugged into other devices…

Bringing the Internet to the Things

Maypole is smart enough to know when it’s being sent new data, which allows it to disconnect from anything that might be using it as a mass storage device before updating the set of files that it makes available over USB. It can then re-connect automatically. Suppose, for example, you have a printer with the ability to read files from a USB flash drive. By plugging Maypole into that USB port, you can allow anyone on the local network to send print jobs.

And it’s not just printers. Whether you’re in an industrial setting, a workshop, a lab, a makerspace, or your own living room, there’s a good chance you’re sharing the room with something that accept input files through a USB port. Examples include sewing machines, CNC routers, laser cutters, car stereos, digital picture frames, laboratory equipment, video projectors, bench-top tools, and countless other devices.

Pulling Down the Data

Maypole works in the other direction as well. Suppose you’re installing a security camera in your office. While it’s easy enough, these days, to find a camera that stores video in the cloud, what if you want a little more control over such potentially sensitive data? You could buy a camera that records to an external USB device, but you’re still going to want that video stored "off site" (to ensure that it doesn’t disappear in the event of a break-in). Which is where Maypole comes in. Log footage directly to Maypole, then copy it down and delete it from anywhere within Wi-Fi range. Or configure port-forwarding on the local router, implement acccess controls or password protection, and manage your footage from anywhere with an Internet connection.

So Transparent, You Can See Right Through It

Not really. But we do value transparency here. Between its open hardware design and the open source software that drives it, Maypole gives you the freedom to tinker. Using C/C++, MicroPython, or Lua—and a variety of cross-platform IDEs, including Arduino, VScode, PlatformIO, and Eclipse—you can customize its behavior, add functionality, or extend the platform.

You might want to add support for Bluetooth headphones and speakers, for example, to make a portable music player or a multi-user jukebox. Or you could add a feature that allows several Maypoles to synchronize the contents of their MicroSD cards with one another. Or perhaps you want to transfer files to and from Maypole over Bluetooth instead of Wi-Fi. Think it would be more useful if it fit inside a Compact Flash slot rather than plugging into a USB port? Tweak the hardware and plug it into your camera!

During the campaign, we will finalize and publish sample code and documentation that will walk you through the complete functionality of Maypole. Our goal is to ensure that anyone who wants to can not only use it, but can build upon it as well. And, of course, the ESP32 module itself is well-document by Espressif.

Comparisons

Technical Specifications

• ESP32 - PICO - D4
  • 240 MHz xtensa Ix6 dual-core processor
  • 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth 4.2 and BLE
• Power
  • Support for batteries up to 500 mAh
  • Battery protection
  • Automatic charging when Maypole is running off USB power
• Wi-Fi Modes: STA, AP, or AP+STA mode
• MicroSD: Supports for cards up to 32 GB

Support & Documentation

You can find our firmware on GitHub, and we’ll be adding our hardware design soon. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to create an issue in that repository or reach out to us using the Ask a technical question link on our campaign page.

Manufacturing Plan

In order to ensure that we can keep an eye on the manufacturing process and respond quickly to any issues that arise, we will begin Maypole production in our lab, where we have everything we need to handle even a very large batch. (Once we’ve completed all crowdfunding orders and stock pre-orders, we will shift production to a contract manufacturer.) In order to deliver a quality product, we believe it is important to verify the functionality of the final design. To that end, we have already:

1. Completed the development of the Maypole hardware
2. Completed testing and prototyping

Which means that we are now ready to manufacture and deliver Maypoles in any quantity!

Fulfillment & Logistics

When production is complete, we will label all Maypole units and send them to Crowd Supply’s fulfillment partner, Mouser Electronics. They, in turn, will package each product for shipment and send them on to backers. For more details, check out Crowd Supply’s Ordering, Paying, and Shipping guide.

Risks & Challenges

While Maypole was designed with large-scale production in mind, the prototyping phase of this project was a crucial one, and it led to several insights that guided our subsequent development and testing efforts. It also gave us time to carry out an analysis of the project’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT). After a few rounds of prototyping, we now have access to a reliable supply chain and confidence in our ability to deliver on our commitments.