Dutch Cyberworks Blackdeck AI Companion

Xiaozhi Configuration & Setup Guide

This guide covers configuration, customization, troubleshooting, and advanced use of the Dutch Cyberworks Blackdeck AI Companion after the initial quick-start setup.

The Blackdeck uses the Xiaozhi AI platform. Xiaozhi is a cloud-based service, so an active internet connection is required for normal AI voice operation.

Go to:

xiaozhi.me → Console

Sign in and select the Agent linked to your Blackdeck.

The Xiaozhi platform is actively developed, so menu names, available models, voices, and features may change over time.

1. Configuring Your AI Agent

Your Xiaozhi Agent controls the AI personality and configuration used by your Blackdeck.

From the Xiaozhi Console, select your Agent and open its configuration.

Depending on the current version of the Xiaozhi Console, the exact menu wording may vary.

Role & System Prompt

Locate the Role Introduction, role, personality, or equivalent prompt field.

The Role Introduction functions as the system prompt for your Blackdeck.

A system prompt tells the AI how it should behave and respond.

You can use it to control things such as:

  • Personality
  • Speaking style
  • Response length
  • Technical depth
  • Areas of expertise
  • Tone
  • Rules or preferences
  • How and when the AI asks questions
  • The role the AI should play

For example:

You are a concise technical assistant. Give practical answers, explain important tradeoffs, and ask questions only when necessary.

Or:

You are a friendly science tutor. Explain difficult subjects in plain English, use examples when helpful, and check that the user understands before moving on.

A system prompt can be as simple or detailed as you want.

Possible uses include:

  • Technical assistant
  • Research helper
  • Tutor
  • Workshop assistant
  • Writing partner
  • Specialized subject expert
  • Character or persona
  • General voice companion

After changing the system prompt, click Save.

If the new personality does not appear immediately, restart the Blackdeck using the RESET button.

2. Voice

The Xiaozhi Agent configuration allows you to select the voice used by your Blackdeck.

Open the available Voice or Voice Role selection.

Where a preview/play control is available, you can listen to voices before selecting one.

Choose your preferred voice and click Save.

Available voices may change as Xiaozhi updates its service.

If a newly selected voice does not take effect immediately:

  1. Save the new setting.
  2. Press the lower RESET button.
  3. Allow the Blackdeck to reconnect to Wi-Fi.

3. AI Model

Your Agent can use different AI models for conversations.

Available models may change as Xiaozhi updates its platform.

  • Response speed
  • Reasoning ability
  • Technical performance
  • Conversation style
  • Writing quality
  • Response length

Try different models and choose the one that works best for how you use your Blackdeck.

Click Save after changing models.

If the change does not appear immediately, restart the Blackdeck.

4. Memory

Xiaozhi provides conversational memory for Agents.

Memory can allow your Agent to retain useful context from previous interactions rather than treating every conversation as completely unrelated.

Depending on the current Xiaozhi interface, memory entries or controls may be available within the Agent configuration.

Memory should be treated as AI conversational memory, not permanent storage for important information or files.

5. History

Select History from your Agent to review previous interactions.

This can be useful for:

  • Reviewing earlier conversations
  • Testing different system prompts
  • Comparing AI models
  • Seeing how personality changes affect responses

6. Devices

Open Devices to view hardware associated with the Agent.

Depending on the current Xiaozhi Console, this area may show:

  • Linked Blackdeck
  • Device status
  • Firmware information
  • OTA/update options
  • Device association controls

Moving Your Blackdeck to Another Agent

If you want to use the Blackdeck with a different Agent:

  1. Unbind/remove the Blackdeck from the current Agent.
  2. Restart the Blackdeck.
  3. Open the new Agent.
  4. Select Add Device.
  5. Wake the Blackdeck to obtain its verification code.
  6. Enter the new 6-digit code.

Using Your Blackdeck

Default Wake Phrase

The default wake phrase for the supplied Xiaozhi firmware is:

“Hello XiaoZhi”

Say “Hello XiaoZhi” and then speak when the device is ready.

You can also press the upper BOOT button to begin voice interaction.

BOOT Button

The upper button, closest to the top of the case.

Use it to wake the Blackdeck or begin voice interaction.

RESET Button

The lower button.

Press RESET to reboot the entire system.

Changing the Wake Word

Xiaozhi firmware supports wake-word customization.

This is separate from the normal Agent personality/system-prompt configuration.

Depending on the Xiaozhi firmware and customization tools being used, you may be able to select:

  • No wake word
  • Preset wake word
  • Custom wake word

The default “Hello XiaoZhi” phrase can therefore be replaced with something easier for you to pronounce or remember.

Wake-word options are firmware-dependent and may change as Xiaozhi updates its tools.

Optional Display Customization

Xiaozhi provides display customization tools for compatible devices.

These features are optional and are not required for normal Blackdeck AI operation.

Hardware Detection

For the Blackdeck, the customization tool should identify approximately:

Chip: ESP32-S3
Display: 320 × 240 landscape
Color Format: RGB565

The physical LCD panel is 240 × 320, but the Blackdeck uses it horizontally, so Xiaozhi displays the configuration as 320 × 240.

Fonts

The customization tool may provide:

  • No Fonts
  • Preset Fonts
  • Custom Fonts

These settings control text displayed on the Blackdeck screen.

Emoji & Expressions

Xiaozhi can display graphical expressions while the AI is interacting.

Customization options may include:

  • No Emoji Pack
  • Preset Emoji Pack
  • Custom Emoji Pack

Chat Background

The Chat Background section controls the visual background or theme shown on the Blackdeck display.

Preview & Generate

The customization interface allows you to preview the Blackdeck screen before creating the new assets.

Depending on the selected options, the preview can include:

  • Text
  • Emoji
  • Expressions
  • Light or dark appearance
  • Wake word
  • Fonts
  • Background

When satisfied with your configuration, select:

Generate assets.bin

Review the configuration summary and then select:

Start Generate

Xiaozhi will create an assets.bin file containing the selected assets.

Follow the current Xiaozhi instructions for installing the generated file, because the deployment process may vary between firmware versions.

Wi-Fi Information

The Blackdeck uses 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.

Supported

  • Normal 2.4 GHz home Wi-Fi
  • Compatible 2.4 GHz phone hotspots

Usually Not Supported

  • 5 GHz-only Wi-Fi
  • Enterprise Wi-Fi requiring special authentication
  • Hotel, dorm, or public Wi-Fi requiring a browser/captive-portal login

iPhone Hotspot

Enable:

Settings → Personal Hotspot → Maximize Compatibility

This enables a more compatible 2.4 GHz hotspot.

Android Hotspot

Configure the hotspot to use 2.4 GHz if your phone provides a band-selection option.

Changing Wi-Fi Networks

To place the Blackdeck back into Wi-Fi provisioning mode:

  1. Disconnect USB power.
  2. Hold the upper BOOT button.
  3. Reconnect USB power while continuing to hold BOOT.
  4. Continue holding for approximately 2 seconds.
  5. Release BOOT.
  6. Connect your phone or computer to Xiaozhi-XXXX.
  7. Open:

http://192.168.4.1

  1. Enter the new Wi-Fi information.

Your phone may report No Internet Connection while connected to Xiaozhi-XXXX. This is normal.

Power Requirements

Use a reliable USB power source.

A 5V / 1A or higher USB power supply is recommended.

An inadequate or unstable power supply can cause symptoms such as:

  • Unexpected restarts
  • Wi-Fi connection problems
  • Audio problems
  • Unstable operation

The included USB-C cable supports both power and data.

Xiaozhi Account & Regional Availability

Xiaozhi is a third-party cloud service.

Service availability and account-registration methods may vary by country or region.

When signing in at:

xiaozhi.me → Console

you may be offered methods including SMS registration/login and Sign in with Google.

If SMS registration is unavailable for your region, use Google sign-in if it is available.

Because Xiaozhi is an external service, Dutch Cyberworks cannot guarantee future service availability, uptime, pricing, or changes to the Xiaozhi platform.

Supported Speech Languages

Xiaozhi speech features currently focus on supported languages including:

  • English
  • Mandarin Chinese
  • Cantonese
  • Japanese
  • Korean

Language support and speech quality may change as the platform develops.

Troubleshooting

Xiaozhi-XXXX Does Not Appear

If the Blackdeck already has saved Wi-Fi credentials, simply pressing RESET may not return it to setup mode.

Force provisioning mode:

  1. Disconnect USB.
  2. Hold the upper BOOT button.
  3. Reconnect USB.
  4. Continue holding BOOT for approximately 2 seconds.
  5. Release it.
  6. Check your Wi-Fi list again.

192.168.4.1 Does Not Open

Confirm that your phone or computer is still connected to:

Xiaozhi-XXXX

Your device may warn that this network has no internet connection. Ignore the warning and remain connected during setup.

If your phone keeps switching to cellular data, temporarily disabling mobile data may help.

Blackdeck Will Not Connect to Wi-Fi

Check:

  • Wi-Fi name is correct
  • Password is correct
  • Network supports 2.4 GHz
  • Network does not require a browser login
  • iPhone hotspot has Maximize Compatibility enabled
  • Android hotspot is using 2.4 GHz

No 6-Digit Verification Code Appears

The Blackdeck must first be connected to Wi-Fi and the internet.

Once it is online, say:

“Hello XiaoZhi”

or press the upper BOOT button.

The device should display and/or announce the registration prompt and verification code.

If you miss the code, wake the device again to repeat the prompt.

Agent Not Found / Device Will Not Add

Make sure an Agent exists before trying to add the Blackdeck.

Go to:

xiaozhi.me → Console

Create a New Agent, then use Add Device from that Agent.

Voice, Model, or System-Prompt Changes Do Not Apply

Save the new configuration.

Then press the lower RESET button and allow the Blackdeck to restart and reconnect.

Some settings do not take effect until after a device restart.

Random Reboots

Check the power supply.

Use a stable 5V / 1A or greater USB power source.

No Internet

Xiaozhi AI is cloud-based.

Without an active internet connection, normal AI conversation will not work.

About Xiaozhi Updates

Xiaozhi is an actively developed platform.

The following can change without notice:

  • Console layout
  • Menu names
  • Available AI models
  • Voices
  • Memory features
  • Wake-word tools
  • Display customization
  • Registration methods
  • Regional availability

When this guide and the current Xiaozhi interface differ, follow the current Xiaozhi interface and documentation.

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