Make Your Nest Mini Local with this HACK

Introduction

In today's tech-driven world, privacy and customization are more important than ever, especially when it comes to smart home devices. If you're looking to take control of your Google Nest Mini 2, there's an exciting community project you should check out: OnDu Voice. This innovative project exemplifies the strides made by home assistants over the past year, particularly utilizing cutting-edge features from ESP Home, OpenWRT, and Whisper.

What is OnDu Voice?

OnDu Voice is a custom-designed PCB (Printed Circuit Board) that serves as a drop-in replacement for the Google Nest Mini 2. This means you can easily remove the original Google internals and install this new board, allowing you to create a fully functional, local voice assistant. The custom PCB features the ESP32 S3 chip, which performs all audio processing, and works seamlessly with Home Assistant to enhance your smart home experience.

Setting Up Your OnDu Voice Project

Getting started with this project is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up your new local voice assistant:

Flash the custom PCB with the necessary ESP Home code.
Disassemble your Nest Mini 2 to remove the old internals.
Install the new PCB in the housing and reassemble the Nest Mini.
Add necessary add-ons to Home Assistant for full functionality.

Once completed, you'll have a fantastic local voice assistant that respects your privacy!

Features and Benefits

One of the standout features of this hack is the reuse of the original Nest Mini housing, allowing you to retain the LED indicators, volume buttons, mute switch, and the power cable. This gives you a familiar and functional interface even after upgrading the internals.

The custom PCBs for this project are available through PCBWay, although they must be ordered in packs of five - a perfect opportunity to team up with fellow smart home enthusiasts.

While this project is still in active development, it's a fantastic way to experiment with the possibilities of Home Assistant’s “Year of the Voice” initiative. If you're interested in a comprehensive setup and installation guide, let me know in the comments below!

A huge thank you to my Patreon supporters, who make projects like this possible. If you're interested in becoming part of this amazing community, you'll find links in the description below.

Thank you for reading, and stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way!

Keyword

OnDu Voice
Google Nest Mini 2
Local Voice Assistant
ESP32 S3
Home Assistant
PCBWay
Smart Home

FAQ

What is OnDu Voice?
OnDu Voice is a community project that provides a custom PCB that replaces the internal components of the Google Nest Mini 2, enabling it to operate as a local voice assistant.

How do I set up the project?
You need to flash the custom PCB with ESP Home code, disassemble the Nest Mini, install the new board, and reassemble the device, adding some Home Assistant add-ons to enhance functionality.

Is the project still in development?
Yes, the project is under active development, so it's not fully polished yet. However, it’s an exciting opportunity to delve into smart home technology.

Where can I get the custom PCB?
The custom PCBs are available through PCBWay, though they must be ordered in packs of five.

Can I still use the original Nest Mini features?
Yes! You can retain the original LED indicators, volume controls, mute switch, and power cable after the upgrade.