If you’re contemplating purchasing a Mac mini for running an OpenClaw instance, hold off! The newly released MimiClaw offers an OpenClaw-like experience using budget-friendly hardware. Designed for the ESP32-S3 microcontroller, MimiClaw operates on minimalist hardware, utilizing compiled C code without traditional operating systems. Users interact with this AI assistant via Telegram, allowing it to handle messages, process responses from large language model providers like OpenAI or Anthropic, and manage conversations autonomously.
MimiClaw stores all information as text files on its flash storage, containing files like SOUL.md for personality traits and MEMORY.md for long-term knowledge. With access to GPIO pins, it can also control sensors and devices. Setup is simple with the ESP-IDF environment, and it consumes just half a watt, making it more appliance than computer. Its open-source code is available on GitHub under an MIT license, promoting easy accessibility and customization.
