Open Source Smartwatch - Building Wearable Tech from Scratch
One of my most ambitious hardware projects has been developing an open-source smartwatch from scratch. This project aims to create a fully functional smartwatch with open-source firmware, making wearable technology more accessible to the maker community.
Project Vision
The goal is to create a smartwatch that developers can modify, improve, and customize according to their needs. By open-sourcing the firmware and providing comprehensive documentation, I hope to enable others to build their own wearable devices.
Current Status
The project has successfully passed the prototyping phase and is now moving towards production-ready hardware design. Here’s what’s been accomplished:
✅ Completed Features
- Basic Firmware: Core functionality implemented
- Display System: OLED display integration
- Sensor Integration: Heart rate, accelerometer, and gyroscope
- Power Management: Battery optimization algorithms
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Basic communication protocols
🔧 Next Steps
- PCB Design: Moving from breadboard to custom PCB
- ESP-IDF Migration: Porting codebase to ESP-IDF platform
- Case Design: 3D printable enclosure development
- App Development: Companion mobile application
Technical Architecture
- Microcontroller: ESP32-based system
- Display: OLED screen with touch support
- Sensors: MPU6050, MAX30102 heart rate sensor
- Connectivity: Bluetooth LE for smartphone integration
- Power: Lithium polymer battery with wireless charging
Open Source Philosophy
This project embodies the spirit of open-source hardware development. All code, schematics, and documentation are freely available for the community to use, modify, and improve upon.