SETUP GUIDE

Get started with
SenseCAP Watcher
for XiaoZhi

From unboxing to your first conversation in under 10 minutes. Follow these steps to set up your AI companion and connect it to your smart home.

Important: XiaoZhi Edition Only

This guide is for the SenseCAP Watcher for XiaoZhi (AI Chatting Edition) only. This device is NOT compatible with AI Vision firmware. Do not attempt to flash AI Vision firmware onto this device.

STEP 01

Unbox & Inspect

Remove the SenseCAP Watcher for XiaoZhi from its packaging
Verify the transparent polycarbonate enclosure is intact
Locate the USB-C cable included in the box
Check the box includes: device, USB-C cable, and quick start card
STEP 02

Power On

Connect the USB-C cable to the device and a 5V/1A power source (USB wall adapter or computer)
The round LCD display will light up with an animated boot sequence
Wait 15–20 seconds for the device to fully initialize
You will hear a startup chime when it is ready
Use a quality 5V/1A adapter. Underpowered adapters may cause instability.
STEP 03

Connect to Wi-Fi

On first boot, the device will enter Wi-Fi setup mode automatically
The display will show a QR code or prompt you to connect via the SenseCraft portal
On your phone or computer, visit sensecraft.seeed.cc/ai/
Follow the on-screen instructions to connect the device to your 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network
The device does NOT support 5GHz Wi-Fi — use 2.4GHz only
The device requires a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network. 5GHz networks are not supported.
STEP 04

Bind Your Device

Go to sensecraft.seeed.cc/ai/ on any browser
Create a free SenseCraft account or log in if you already have one
Click 'Add Device' and follow the pairing instructions
Once bound, your device will appear in your SenseCraft dashboard
You can configure the AI model, language, and wake-up settings from the dashboard
Binding is required to activate the XiaoZhi AI features. The device will not respond to voice commands until it is bound.
STEP 05

Configure Your Preferences

In the SenseCraft dashboard, select your preferred language (20+ options available)
Set the wake-up mode: Visual (face detection) or Voice (keyword detection)
Optionally connect to Home Assistant via the MCP integration settings
Test the device by standing in front of it — it should greet you by face
STEP 06

Start Talking

Stand within 1–3 meters of the device
The device will wake up when it detects your face (visual wake-up mode)
Speak naturally — ask questions, give commands, or just have a conversation
Try: 'Turn on the living room lights' (if Home Assistant is connected)
Try: 'What's the weather today?' or 'Tell me a joke'
Troubleshooting

Common issues & fixes.

Device won't connect to Wi-Fi

Ensure you are using a 2.4GHz network, not 5GHz. Move the device closer to your router during setup. Restart the device and try again.

Device is not responding to my voice

Make sure the device has been bound at sensecraft.seeed.cc/ai/. Check that the microphone is not obstructed. Ensure the device is powered and connected to Wi-Fi (the display will show a Wi-Fi icon when connected).

The display shows an error or blank screen

Try unplugging and replugging the USB-C cable. If the issue persists, hold the reset button on the back of the device for 5 seconds to factory reset.

Home Assistant integration is not working

Ensure your Home Assistant instance is running and accessible on the same network. In the SenseCraft dashboard, re-enter your Home Assistant URL and access token under MCP Settings.

Need more help?

Visit the official XiaoZhi documentation or reach out to the Seeed Studio community for advanced configuration and developer resources.