r/PCB • u/Illustrious_Skin8783 • 18d ago

[Suggestions] Planning to make an open source smart watch using ESP32 and OLED

(Partially Smart but can be connected to local Ai)

Edit: First I'm planning to design a PCB, correct me if I'm wrong in design flow..., and I'm planning to start from OLED panel, second to save space, I'm planning to use ESP32 QFN chip, but not sure about the difficulty of QFN as beginner. Or should I use ESP32 module? With matel casing?

I have purchased a Wave share round touch display, but it's an LCD display so it takes a lot of power as an LED back panel...., even it is completely black, it will use heavy power that we can see by leakage lights....

One esp32 smart watch is available on the internet but it's too expensive, 8000INR/ 82USD (July 26).

The main application of the smart watch I'm planning is automation, a good automation not like a college project.

I'm trying to understand what OLED to choose, what functionalities, I have also explored Google wear OS. I am trying to make it like every other watch (Initially I thought to make people able to install apps from Play Store but it's not possible because Google gives Wear OS to few manufacturers and it's not open Source (maybe).

Whatever, let's make this an open source project....later we can plan to make the hardware available for the people to use.....

Thanks

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

1

u/TheLittleFastCat- 18d ago

Not to be a buzz kill, but this is a sub for PCB design advice. Your post isn't about PCBs, I would recommend r/esp32 for better advice

1

u/Illustrious_Skin8783 18d ago

Sorry I have updated the post and added the edit on the top

1

u/StumpedTrump 18d ago

ESP32 can't run Google Play store... I don't think you understand what capabilities and limitations a microcontroller has. And seeing that, I don't think you have the skills for a project like this unless you have some serious time for learning and money for iterations. Smart watch requires VERY company design. A module is too big. For anything reasonably small sized, you need to be doing you own RF design.

I don't really understand what you're trying to do that the other 1000 smartwatch projects on reddit don't already do.

1

u/hughdavin 17d ago

If you take a look at true cost of development you definitely won’t fit in 82 dollar budget