ESP-Now Dongle?

[The_Digital_1 (Jordan)]

Does anyone know if a ESP-Now dongle exists? Basically an ESP device that can receive ESP-Now messages and connects to a Homeassistant host via USB.

I know there are ESP-Now gateway projects out there that will receive ESP-now messages and then post them to MQTT server. That’s great and all but why not make it cheaper and faster by connecting the ESP directly to the host?

[tom_l]

Google says yes. It’s all DIY:

Espnow Based Sensors With MQTT/ Home Assistant

My ESP-NOW integration library - enable direct communication between your esphome devices even without wifi router

I recently wrote a custom addon that enable esp-now integration for your esp-home devices. This add direct communication capability and you can use it along side with existing homeassistant. So in case your wifi router disconnects, or your raspberry pi stops working, your home automations will still be able to work. Check it out at https://github.com/iphong/esphome-espnow and let me know what you think. In progress homeassistant config for my actual home project Cheers!!

[The_Digital_1 (Jordan)]

Thanks @tom_l , however that’s my point exactly. There are projects out there that can get ESP-Now messages into MQTT, and ESPHome. However I have yet to see a dongle like approach right to the host system.

[tom_l]

The the answer to your question is, no. There is currently no commercial dongle.

[jerome83136]

Hi guys,
I have the same question: is there a way to avoid using a second esp for WiFi by making the “espnow” board communicating with the mqtt host directly through USB? (Assuming the espnow board is phisically connected to the mqtt host though USB)
I’m not talking about a proprietary espnow USB dongle
Thank you for your feedback
Best regards

[kenwag]

A bit late to the party, but…
I gave up on a single ESP solution and added a dual ESP solution to my Home Assistant. One ESP32 receives ESP-NOW messages, passes them to another ESP32 via serial, which is WiFi connected. (A bit of extra hardware was much easier than bashing my head trying for a single ESP job.)
It is receive-only, but can fire MQTT messages direct to Mosquitto, so turn on a Tasmota light without HA. (HA then notices that its on.)

I’m currently working on a USB-serial connected solution for TxRx of ESP-NOW packets, using the Serial Sensor plugin.
I want to be able to send ESP-NOW packets from HA, as well as receive and parse them with HA.
Early days, but if/when I get it all working I will probably publish on Github.
The only hardware is an ESP32 dev board plugged into my HA server USB port.
(Could use an ESP8266, but I may need ESP32 horsepower.)
My reasons are multi-fold: ESP-NOW is much faster than connecting battery sensors via WiFi, so battery life is much better; range is much more than for WiFi; and I don’t need a WiFi connection to my modem for each device.