Low power display from electronic shelf label (ESL)

[sola]

Electronic shelf labels (ESLs) are now used in many stores and available at very reasonable prices (5-10$ / unit) . These all seem to use ultra-low power eink display modules that only consume power when the content of the display is being changed.

E.g.: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Wireless-transmission-zero-power-electronic-shelf_60256379521.html?spm=a2700.7724838.0.0.M2nZGP

In stark contrast, I still don't see any affordable e-ink modules available for Arduino projects. The 2.9" Adafruit module is 39$ which sounds ridiculous when you consider that a cheapo $10 ESL module contains more components and is still only quarter of the price.

Hopefully, one day ESL manufacturers will start selling their display modules standalone as well.

Until that happens: Has anyone seen a hack for any of the ESL modules so that one could use the display or the whole ESL as part of an Arduino / mysensors project?

This would give us access to affordable, ultra-low power display modules.

[mfalkvidd]

Pervasivedisplays seem to be behind some of Adafruits displays. http://www.digikey.com/products/en/optoelectronics/display-modules-lcd-oled-graphic/107?FV=fff40008%2Cfff80276%2C9800f0&mnonly=0&newproducts=0&ColumnSort=1000011&page=1&stock=0&pbfree=0&rohs=0&quantity=&ptm=0&fid=0&pageSize=25

Cheapest variant is 12 USD.

[sola]

Thanks for the link.

Still not cheap (1.44" for $12) but at least not outrageous like the Adafruit.