No new batches of ColorHug2

I was informed by AMS (the manufacturer that makes the XYZ sensor that’s the core of the CH2 device) that the AS73210 (aka MTCSiCF) and the MTI08D are end of life products. The replacement for the sensor the vendor offers is the AS73211, which of course is more expensive and electrically incompatible with the AS73210.

The somewhat-related new AS7261 sensor does look interesting as it somewhat crosses the void between a colorimeter and something that can take non-emissive readings, but it’s a completely different sensor to the one on the ColorHug2, and mechanically to the now-abandoned ColorHug+. I’m also feeling twice burned buying specialist components from single-source suppliers.

Being a parents to a 16 week old baby doesn’t put Ania and I in a position where I can go through the various phases of testing, prototypes, test batch, production batch etc for a device refresh like we did with the ColorHug -> ColorHug2. I’m hoping I can get a chance to play with some more kinds of sensors from different vendors, although that’s not going to happen before I start getting my free time back. At the moment I have about 50 fully completed ColorHug2 devices in boxes ready to be sold.

In the true spirit of OpenHardware and free enterprise, if anyone does want to help with the design of a new ColorHug device I’m open for ideas. ColorHug was really just a hobby that got out of control, and I’d love for someone else to have the thrill and excitement of building a nano-company from scratch. Taking me out the equation completely, I’d be as equally happy referring on people who want to buy a ColorHug upgrade or replacement to a different project, if the new product met with my approval :)

So, 50 ColorHugs should last about 3 months before stock runs out, but I know a few people are using devices on production lines and other sorts of industrial control — if that sounds familiar, and you’d like to buy a spare device, now is the time to do so. Of course, I’ll continue supporting all the existing 3162 devices well into the future. I hope to be back building OpenHardware soon, and hopefully with a new and improved ColorHug3.