The Home Assistant Voice Preview Edition is an open-source voice assistant designed for integration with Home Assistant systems. It emphasizes privacy, local processing, and compatibility with smart home hardware, offering reliable performance and flexible usability.

The device features dual microphones and an XMOS XU316 audio processor for advanced capabilities like echo cancellation, noise removal, and auto gain control, powered by an ESP32-S3 system-on-chip with 8 MB of octal PSRAM and 16 MB of FLASH storage.

Audio output is facilitated through a 3.5mm headphone jack and a Texas Instruments AIC3202 digital-to-analog converter, offering a 48 kHz sampling rate. Additional controls include a rotary dial for volume adjustment, a multipurpose button, and a hardware mute switch that physically disconnects the microphones. Expandability is supported via an integrated Grove port, allowing for additional sensors or accessories.

Built on the ESPHome platform, the device includes preloaded open-source firmware for customization. Users can configure features such as LED ring behavior or advanced sensor integrations. Integration with Home Assistant is enabled through an installation wizard, supporting local processing with capable hardware or cloud-based options via Home Assistant Cloud for expanded language support.

To function, the Voice Preview Edition requires a Home Assistant hub such as Home Assistant Yellow, Green, or a custom installation on a single-board computer, along with a USB-C power supply and a Wi-Fi connection. For optimal performance, particularly in local processing, a higher-powered system based on an Intel N100 or similar is recommended.

The device integrates with Home Assistant via an installation wizard, supporting local processing with capable hardware or expanded language options through Home Assistant Cloud. Flexible configurations balance performance and privacy, with intuitive controls, an LED ring, and a built-in speaker providing responsive feedback.