New big thing: RoonPilot - The new era of Roon control

Tinkering Roon API
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Music control should feel immediate

RoonPilot is a compact, purpose-built wireless controller for Roon. Its tactile rotary ring gives volume control the precision and speed of real hi-fi hardware, while the round touch display keeps album artwork, playback controls and zone selection exactly where you need them.

It is not another phone app and it does not try to become a music player. RoonPilot stays focused on one job: making everyday control of your existing Roon zones faster, calmer and more satisfying.

No companion service. No bridge. No cloud dependency.

RoonPilot communicates directly with your Roon Core over the local Wi-Fi network using the Roon Extension protocol.

You do not need to install or maintain:

  • a Raspberry Pi or other always-on bridge

  • Docker containers

  • a Node.js extension host

  • a desktop helper application

  • an additional background daemon

  • a RoonPilot cloud account

Once connected to Wi-Fi and approved in Roon, the controller operates as a self-contained appliance. A working Roon system, a Roon subscription and local Wi-Fi are the only external requirements.

Firmware for everyone

Following a short validation period on the target hardware, the RoonPilot firmware will be made available to everyone as a ready-to-flash release. Normal installation will not require users to compile the firmware themselves.

The hardware can be ordered directly from the official Waveshare product store. Use the exact order codes above when comparing offers from regional Waveshare distributors or electronics retailers. Prices, stock and delivery options vary by country and are shown by the seller at checkout.

roonpilot_original_hardware
roonpilot_original_hardware1254×1254 270 KB

More information:

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Hi @Georg this looks like a great additional option for the community. Very tempted to try one of these for one of my zones that’s not often used.

What’s battery life look like, and are they ok to keep plugged in and always charging?

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In fact, battery power management is the biggest challenge in this project. The target is:

  • at least 10–12 hours with normal use
  • ideally 15 hours or more by switching off the display and using moderate Wi-Fi power-saving mode
  • optional deep sleep mode for standby lasting several days

The upcoming tests will show what is possible.

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That feels like a reasonable plan for a device like this where battery power is always a requirement.

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Looks cool! So is the firmware not yet available? I only see info on which waveshare hardware to get when I go to the link. Any idea when it will be available (or cost)?

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No cost! Please be patient. I am currently testing it. The firmware will be released, along with instructions on how to flash it.

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I will try and order one when I return from holiday in late September and have a play. The price looks right for a bit of a fun project

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Unfortunately, the hardware is currently only available directly from China. Some patience is required.

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That’s why I did not order it today, based on the long delivery time.

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This looks excellent and I will definitely put in an order and test when it arrives - I was looking at this as a project for the future - you are aready there !

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I’ve got an iPad

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And I for one hope you are both very happy together for a long time to come :roll_eyes:

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I’ll be buying this. Biggest selling point for me is that it doesn’t need extra hardware.

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How is this different than the previous post about this hardware?

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Looks like @Georg is working on making the device itself a Roon extension / client, no server needed like in my solution. Impressive if they pull it off.

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In the US we have it on Amazon.com . My two came from US warehouses.

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$50 ESP32-S3 Knob Hifi Controller if you want a more mature firmware, though mine requires a Roon extension server (which in my case also handles LMS, OpenHome, HQPlayer and I have Spotify Connect and Apple Music in private Alpha)

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I’d missed this entire theread. Love the idea of the device - and if it can be done without hardware extension we will all be interested - but no code shared as yet - the alternative will definitely be explored (and ordered from amazon - if faster!).

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lmk if you try it! It’s almost a year in now, I am bummed I didn’t market it well enough that interested users didn’t know it existed.

My project supports a whole slew of other ESP32-S3 (and an ESP32) devices $50 ESP32-S3 Knob Hifi Controller - #505 by Muness . If you have questions, ask away. The Waveshare Knob is often my go to but it has poor Wifi and battery life.

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If this is the case, it’s a very interesting concept and opens my mind to multiple possibilities. Time to explore.