AI assisted programming for web-linked PLC

The DIN-rain controller, dubbed EQSP32, is built around an ESP32S3 microcontroller with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and the unit offers digital and analogue inputs and ouputs as well as serial busses.

“EQSP32 lets electricians, automation engineers and electronics enthusiasts build solutions for a spectrum of industrial automation, home automation, remote monitoring, control and instrumentation applications,” according to the company.

Euphemistically calling it ‘no-code programming’ the company offers ‘EQ-AI generative AI programming assistant’ which is claimed to turn a text-based description of required actions into code suitable for the controller – looking very much like Arduino code – which the user then has to load into the controller.

“Users simply need to describe their needs, and Erqos generates the code in seconds,” it claimed. “EQ-AI assistant is primed with intimate knowledge of every details of the EQSP32’s hardware circuits and software libraries. These libraries manage complex coding tasks specific to the hardware, such as configuring I/Os or establishing WiFi connections.”

To create a matching phone app “our design tool streamlines the process, allowing you to drag and drop elements like buttons, sliders, and widgets. You can resize these elements, change captions, and customise text styles and colours”, said Erqos. “Once your app looks and functions as desired, deployment to the iPhone App Store, or Google Play, is just a click away.”

In use, through a cloud-based real-time database, the app is continuously updated with the current status of the particular EQSP32’s inputs and outputs.

“All the control functions are done locally inside the module and independently of the network connection,” the company told Electronics Weekly. “Internet is only required if one wants to monitor or control via a smartphone.”

How much does the cloud part cost?

“Our solution uses Google’s firebase real-time database. Users making systems for themselves or for a small number of their customers typically have data traffic below the threshold where they need to pay anything. Above that, they will need to pay Google,” said Erqos, which does not charge or make money off the database service. “Our business model is based on selling the modules. We also will design solutions for users who don’t have the resources, knowledge or time.”

The Hardware

The hardware has RS232/485 (for DMX, for example) and a optional CANbus, plus 16 configurable I/O terminals that can be configured as a 12bit analog input, a digital input, a digital ouput or a 24V 1A PWM digital output (diagram right).

An expansion port is included on one side, and rail-mounted expansion modules are planed to engage with this when mounted alongside.

So far, an expansion module with a pH meter and dual stepper motor drivers is planned for water treatment, and there will be another with additional digital and analogue IO.

The control module needs power at 10 to 28Vdc, and has a 5V 1A output for sensors and other loads. It measures 71 x 90 x 57.

Erqos was founded in 2022 and is based in Athens, Greece.

The product page can be found here, which has a links to a couple of video, one more useful than the other.