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I am using a W01 module connected via P0, P1 (the standard Rx/Tx lines of the serial REPL) to a FT232R serial-USB-interface. The FT232R is powered from USB.
By defining P0 (i.e. Rx) as input with pull down activated, it is possible to dectect if REPL (i.e. the USB) is connected (P0=1=yes)
It may be interesting to note that UART operation is not affected by having Rx(P0) declared as digital input simultaneously.
By this method, the module detects a serial console during boot and continues in REPL mode. If there is no active serial connection detected, it autostarts its application.
I am not sure if this works with a Wipy since the serial-USB interface may be powered from the Wipy, possibly making the status of Rx independent of the USB cable connection.