Proton

by Neural Arc

Your Voice. Amplified.

SECTION 1

Executive Summary

Proton is a revolutionary voice-activated AI companion device designed to seamlessly integrate with Helium AI. This sleek, orb-shaped gadget combines cutting-edge voice recognition technology with elegant industrial design, creating an intuitive interface for AI interaction that fits naturally into any environment.

Built with weatherproof construction and available in multiple muted pastel colors, Proton represents the future of ambient AI interaction—always ready, always listening, and designed to disappear into your daily life while amplifying your productivity.

SECTION 2

Product Introduction

SECTION 3

Product Overview

Voice First

Advanced dual-microphone array with noise cancellation ensures crystal-clear voice capture in any environment.

Always Connected

Dual connectivity via Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi ensures seamless integration with your devices and Helium AI.

All-Day Battery

10-hour battery life with USB-C fast charging keeps Proton ready whenever you need it.

Weatherproof

IP67-rated construction protects against dust and water, making Proton suitable for any environment.

Beautiful Design

Available in five muted pastel colors with a minimalist aesthetic that complements any space.

Instant Feedback

Smart audio notifications with distinct sound patterns keep you informed of task status without looking.

Proton in multiple pastel colors
SECTION 4

Technical Architecture

Internal Component Layout

Internal component diagram

Core Processing

ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N16R8

  • Dual-core Xtensa LX7 @ 240MHz
  • 16MB Flash, 8MB PSRAM
  • Wi-Fi 4 (802.11 b/g/n)
  • Bluetooth 5.0 LE
  • Ultra-low power consumption

Audio System

Professional Audio Components

  • Dual INMP441 MEMS microphones
  • ES8311 audio codec (ADC + DAC)
  • NS4150B 3W Class-D amplifier
  • 8Ω full-range speaker
  • Advanced DSP processing
SECTION 5

Design & Engineering

3D Printing & Materials

Proton's enclosure is designed for production using advanced 3D printing technologies with weatherproof materials optimized for durability and aesthetics.

Recommended Materials

  • ASA (Primary) - Excellent UV resistance, weatherproof, smooth finish
  • PETG - Chemical resistant, easy to print, good strength
  • Nylon PA12 - Superior durability, low water absorption
  • Polypropylene - Lowest water uptake, flexible, impact resistant

Print Specifications

  • Layer height: 0.2mm for optimal surface finish
  • Infill: 100% for structural integrity
  • Wall thickness: 2.5mm minimum
  • Post-processing: Acetone smoothing for ASA

Weatherproofing Strategy

Weatherproofing cross-section

IP67 Rating

Complete protection against dust ingress and water immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.

O-Ring Seals

Silicone O-rings (2mm cross-section) in precision-machined grooves provide reliable sealing.

Ultrasonic Welding

Hemisphere seam welded ultrasonically for permanent, waterproof bond.

Button Mechanism

Button mechanism wireframe

The tactile button features a waterproof membrane seal with a dome switch mechanism, providing satisfying tactile feedback while maintaining IP67 protection. The button is integrated into the equatorial band with a spring-loaded mechanism for reliable operation over 100,000+ cycles.

SECTION 6

Power Management

Battery System

3.7V LiPo Battery - 3000mAh

  • 10+ hours continuous operation
  • Deep sleep mode for extended standby
  • BQ27220 fuel gauge for accurate monitoring
  • Over-charge/discharge protection
  • Temperature monitoring

USB-C Charging

Fast Charging System

  • USB-C PD 2.0 compatible
  • TP4057 Li-ion charging IC
  • 5V/1A charging (3-hour full charge)
  • LED charging indicator
  • Waterproof USB-C port with rubber seal

Power Consumption Profile

Mode Current Draw Duration
Deep Sleep 10 µA Weeks
Standby (WiFi on) 80 mA 37+ hours
Active Listening 150 mA 20 hours
Processing + Audio 300 mA 10 hours
Peak (Speaker) 500 mA 6 hours
SECTION 7

Audio Notification System

Proton uses a sophisticated audio notification system with distinct sound patterns to communicate device status without requiring visual attention. Each notification is carefully designed for instant recognition and minimal cognitive load.

Task Complete

Three ascending tones (C-E-G)

Duration: 300ms | Frequency: 523Hz → 659Hz → 784Hz

A pleasant, rising melody that signals successful completion of your request. The ascending pattern creates a sense of accomplishment and closure.

Needs Clarification

Two-tone question pattern (G-C)

Duration: 400ms | Frequency: 784Hz → 523Hz

A descending two-note pattern that mimics the natural intonation of a question, prompting you to provide additional information.

Error Alert

Rapid double-beep (low frequency)

Duration: 200ms | Frequency: 220Hz (repeated twice)

A low, urgent double-beep that immediately signals an error condition without being alarming or disruptive.

Low Battery

Descending three-tone warning

Duration: 500ms | Frequency: 659Hz → 523Hz → 440Hz

A gentle descending pattern that indicates declining battery, prompting you to charge soon without interrupting your workflow.

Connection Lost

Rhythmic triple-pulse

Duration: 600ms | Pattern: 150ms on, 100ms off (3x)

A distinctive pulsing pattern that signals connectivity issues, allowing you to troubleshoot the connection.

Power On/Off

Single sustained tone

Duration: 250ms | Frequency: 440Hz (A4)

A clean, neutral tone that confirms power state changes without being intrusive.

Sound Design Principles

SECTION 8

Helium AI Integration

Connection Architecture

Proton connects to Helium AI through a dual-path architecture, ensuring reliable communication in any scenario. The device can operate via direct Wi-Fi connection or through Bluetooth pairing with your smartphone.

Direct Wi-Fi Mode

  • Direct connection to Helium AI cloud services
  • Lower latency for faster response times
  • Automatic reconnection on network changes
  • Supports WPA2/WPA3 security protocols
  • OTA firmware updates

Bluetooth Bridge Mode

  • Pairs with smartphone via Bluetooth 5.0 LE
  • Uses phone's internet connection
  • Extended range up to 100m (line of sight)
  • Low energy consumption
  • Seamless handoff between modes

API Integration

Proton communicates with Helium AI using secure WebSocket connections for real-time bidirectional communication. The protocol supports:

Setup Process

01

Power On

Press and hold button for 3 seconds. Proton emits power-on tone and LED pulses blue.

02

Pair Device

Open Helium AI app, select "Add Device", and follow pairing instructions. Choose Wi-Fi or Bluetooth mode.

03

Start Using

Press button, speak your command. Proton processes and sends to Helium AI, then notifies you when complete.

SECTION 9

Technical Specifications

Technical specifications diagram

Complete Specifications

Category Specification Details
Dimensions 80mm diameter sphere Compact desktop form factor
Weight 145g Lightweight and portable
Colors 5 pastel options Lavender, Sage Green, Dusty Rose, Powder Blue, Warm Beige
Processor ESP32-S3 Dual-core Xtensa LX7 @ 240MHz
Memory 16MB Flash, 8MB PSRAM Ample storage for firmware and buffers
Connectivity Wi-Fi 4 + Bluetooth 5.0 LE Dual-mode connectivity
Microphones Dual INMP441 MEMS Omnidirectional, noise cancellation
Speaker 3W, 8Ω full-range Clear audio output
Battery 3000mAh LiPo 10+ hours operation
Charging USB-C, 5V/1A 3-hour full charge
Waterproof Rating IP67 Dust-tight, water immersion up to 1m
Operating Temp -10°C to 50°C Wide temperature range
Button Tactile dome switch 100,000+ cycle life
LED Indicator RGB LED Status indication
SECTION 10

Bill of Materials

Core Electronics

Component Part Number Qty Est. Cost
ESP32-S3 Module ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N16R8 1 $4.50
MEMS Microphone INMP441 2 $2.00
Audio Codec ES8311 1 $1.20
Audio Amplifier NS4150B 1 $0.80
Speaker 8Ω 3W Full-Range 1 $2.50

Power Management

Component Part Number Qty Est. Cost
LiPo Battery 3.7V 3000mAh 1 $6.00
Battery Fuel Gauge BQ27220 1 $1.50
Charging IC TP4057 1 $0.60
Buck Converter TPS62569 1 $1.20
USB-C Connector USB Type-C 2.0 1 $0.80

Mechanical Components

Component Part Number Qty Est. Cost
3D Printed Enclosure (ASA) Custom Design 1 $8.00
Silicone O-Ring 2mm x 75mm 1 $0.50
Tactile Button 12mm Dome Switch 1 $0.40
Waterproof Membrane PTFE Membrane 1 $0.30
RGB LED WS2812B 1 $0.20
PCB Custom 2-layer 1 $3.00

Passive Components & Misc

Component Description Qty Est. Cost
Resistors Various values (0603) ~20 $0.50
Capacitors Various values (0603, 0805) ~15 $1.00
Inductors Power supply filtering 2 $0.60
Screws & Fasteners M2.5 stainless steel 4 $0.40

Total Estimated Cost

$36.00 - $42.00

Per unit cost at prototype quantities (1-10 units). Costs decrease significantly at scale (100+ units: ~$25-30, 1000+ units: ~$18-22).

SECTION 11

Manufacturing Guide

Step-by-Step Assembly

Phase 1

3D Printing

  • Print upper and lower hemispheres in ASA
  • Print equatorial band separately
  • Post-process with acetone vapor smoothing
  • Drill and tap mounting holes
  • Machine O-ring groove (2.5mm depth)
Phase 2

PCB Assembly

  • Order custom PCB from manufacturer
  • Solder SMD components (reflow oven)
  • Hand-solder through-hole components
  • Flash ESP32 with firmware
  • Test all connections and functionality
Phase 3

Component Integration

  • Mount microphones in upper hemisphere
  • Install speaker in lower hemisphere
  • Secure battery with adhesive foam
  • Mount PCB on standoffs
  • Connect all wiring harnesses
Phase 4

Sealing & Testing

  • Install silicone O-ring in groove
  • Apply light silicone grease to O-ring
  • Ultrasonically weld hemispheres
  • Install button with waterproof membrane
  • Perform IP67 water immersion test

Quality Control Checklist

SECTION 12

Future Enhancements

AI-Powered Wake Word

On-device wake word detection using TensorFlow Lite for hands-free activation without button press.

Haptic Feedback

Vibration motor for silent notifications and tactile confirmation of button presses.

Environmental Sensors

Temperature, humidity, and air quality sensors for ambient monitoring and smart home integration.

Ambient Light Ring

RGB LED ring around equator for visual status indication and ambient lighting effects.

Matter Protocol

Support for Matter smart home standard for universal compatibility with all smart home ecosystems.

Wireless Charging

Qi wireless charging support for cable-free charging on compatible charging pads.

CONCLUSION

Building the Future

Proton represents a new paradigm in AI interaction—one where technology fades into the background while amplifying human capability. By combining cutting-edge voice recognition, elegant industrial design, and seamless Helium AI integration, Proton creates an ambient AI experience that feels natural and effortless.

This comprehensive technical report provides everything needed to bring Proton from concept to reality. With accessible 3D printing technology, readily available electronic components, and detailed assembly instructions, Proton can be built by makers, engineers, and entrepreneurs who want to create the next generation of AI-powered devices.

Ready to Build

All components are readily available from standard suppliers. Total prototype cost: $36-42 per unit.

Scalable Design

Design optimized for both prototype and mass production. Costs drop to $18-22 at 1000+ unit scale.

Your Voice. Amplified.

Proton by Neural Arc