Project Aura is an ESP32-based DIY air quality monitor that pairs industrial-grade sensors with a 4.3-inch (10.9 cm) touchscreen and deep Home Assistant integration. Built around the Waveshare ESP32-S3-Touch-LCD-4.3 board, it monitors a comprehensive range of air quality metrics including PM1, PM2.5, PM4, and PM10 particulates, CO2, VOC, NOx, temperature, humidity, and optional formaldehyde detection through the Sensirion SEN66 and SFA30 sensors.
The project stands out for requiring zero soldering. All components connect via cables using off-the-shelf parts including Adafruit breakout boards for the SEN66, pressure sensors (DPS310, BMP580, or BMP581) for weather tracking, and a PCF8523 real-time clock. The 3D-printable enclosure houses everything in a clean package, while the firmware supports one-click web installation for backers and includes a touchscreen interface built with the LVGL library. The UI supports eight languages and offers customizable themes, MQTT configuration, and automatic Home Assistant discovery.
The firmware runs on Arduino ESP32 core 3.1.1 (based on ESP-IDF 5.3.x) and can be compiled with PlatformIO CLI or VSCode. The GPL-3.0-licensed source code allows developers to build and modify the firmware on Linux, macOS, or Windows, making it accessible to makers who prefer open development toolchains. The simplified web installer remains exclusive to project backers. An optional pressure sensor integration automatically plots 3-hour and 24-hour pressure delta graphs to predict weather changes.
Project Aura is available through two channels. A MakerWorld crowdfunding campaign offers the 3D enclosure files (STL), assembly guide, and web installer access for $25 (€23), with total component costs around $200 (€184) including the optional SFA30 sensor. Alternatively, fully assembled units are listed on Smartdomo for 139 Euros ($151) or 189 Euros ($205) depending on sensor configuration, though currently out of stock with registration available for restock notifications.
