Are you a Go/Baduk software developer looking to bring your application to a physical smart board?
I am excited to share an open-source, unofficial Third-Party Development Kit and Protocol Specification for the Izis (隱智) Smart Go Board. This kit provides the necessary tools and documentation to bridge the gap between standard app development and the proprietary UART hardware of the Izis board.
DISCLAIMER
This project is the result of personal reverse engineering research. The author makes no guarantees regarding its accuracy, safety, or whether it aligns with Izis’s original design intentions. Incorrect usage of these commands may potentially cause damage to the hardware. The author is in no way affiliated with Izis. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that Izis will not update their system in the future to block or restrict third-party development. Use this information entirely at your own risk.
Who is this for?
This project is for application developers. If you are looking to port or build applications to include support for Izis Smart Go Board such as:
- Go Review Software (e.g., KaTrain, Lizzieyzy-next)
- Computer Go Programs
- Go Server Clients (integrating with platforms like OGS, KGS, Fox, or Tygem)
…this kit gives you the exact UART commands, coordinate mappings, and system setup guides needed to interact with the board’s RGB LED grid, read physical stone placements, and handle hardware button presses.
Note for general users: This is not a plug-and-play app that automatically connects your board to third-party servers. It is a foundational toolkit meant to empower developers to build those amazing integrations.
Develop Without the Physical Hardware!
The best part? You don’t even need to own an Izis Smart Go Board.
The repository includes a fully functional Web-based Hardware Simulator and a Python routing bridge. You can write your Android or PC application, point its serial/TCP output to the local bridge, and visually test your LED rendering logic and stone placement handling right in your web browser.
What’s Included?
- Protocol Specification: Comprehensive documentation of the hardware communication protocol, dynamic board sizing (19x19, 13x13, 9x9), and command usages.
- Hardware Simulator: A browser-based UI replicating the physical board’s behavior.
- Python Bridge: A lightweight TCP-to-WebSocket script to connect your development environment to the simulator.
Check out the repository for all the technical details, setup guides, and source code!
