Building your own smartwatch

[gaminator]

So I was getting really tired of waiting for a smartwatch that I had backed on kickstarter over a year ago and has still not started mass production, so I decided to do this instead!

 

I have started building my own smartwatch using an arduino pro mini, an HC-06 bluetooth module to connect to my phone, a 2 cell 600mah LiPo battery, and a 128x64 monochrome 0.96" OLED display. 

 

here I have begun to solder together the arduino pro mini and the HC-06 bluetooth module. Be aware that I do not have much soldering experience and this stuff is really really small! (go easy on me if my soldering sucks)

 

 

After finishing soldering together the Arduino and the bluetooth module:

and from the front:

 

This is what it will look like soon when I have finished soldering on the display:

and here are the two components next to each other:

 

I will be updating this hopefully every day but I only get a few minutes to work on it per day, so don't expect too much. I am probably gonna have to 3d print a case for it when it is done being soldered together, and then I have the problem of charging the LiPo battery correctly and without damaging it, a complicated task. I hope integrate some sort of charging mechanism into the case that I design because currently I have been charging the LiPo battery with raw leads. I also would like to be able to use regular/standard watch straps with my case after I print it! 

 

Wish me luck!

[gaminator]

Forgot to mention, I saw someone else do something similar to this on Hackaday.com a few weeks ago and thought I would give it a try! They used a different display and were unable to 3d print themselves a case for their watch, instead opting to just staple it to some leather! 

[Stijndopjes]

This looks interesting 

[Wiflare]

How much has this cost so far?

[AMICLG]

Is that the 8 mhz 3.3v board? Nice work for a noob. I've been planning a super sexy one for a bit. Also here's a proper video about soldering.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_NU2ruzyc4

[gaminator]

Is that the 8 mhz 3.3v board? Nice work for a noob. I've been planning a super sexy one for a bit. Also here's a proper video about soldering.

Thanks a lot man:), and yes, it is the 8 mhz 3.3v board. A side note, I have found a good way to charge the battery now as well!

[gaminator]

How much has this cost so far?

Each component was fairly cheap, the most expensive being the screen which was still less than $20. Total I think that I spent a little more than $50 USD on all of the equipment that I had to buy. (it would have been a little cheaper if I had had a USB to UART adapter already which I have to use to upload programs to the arduino [it doesnt have a usb controller on it])

[gaminator]

Is that the 8 mhz 3.3v board? Nice work for a noob. I've been planning a super sexy one for a bit. Also here's a proper video about soldering.

Any advice on soldering things onto those little ridges on the side of the bluetooth module? I find that the hardest.

[AMICLG]

Any advice on soldering things onto those little ridges on the side of the bluetooth module? I find that the hardest.

Heat from the wire and apply solder from opposite side.

[TheNinjaNextDor]

Thats awesome.

Subbed bby.

[gaminator]

Heat from the wire and apply solder from opposite side.

Much appreciated! 

[Wiflare]

Each component was fairly cheap, the most expensive being the screen which was still less than $20. Total I think that I spent a little more than $50 USD on all of the equipment that I had to buy. (it would have been a little cheaper if I had had a USB to UART adapter already which I have to use to upload programs to the arduino [it doesnt have a usb controller on it])

If these cost $75 or less and they turn out to work well, you should seriously consider production.

[LazzerCurry]

ya i'd be down for 120ish usd if they turn out to look halfway nice and run good with android

[gaminator]

Alright guys, new update! 

I finished soldering the screen onto the other main components!

And another.

Here you can see the wires in between them.

Here is a view next to the battery that I plan on using. attaching the battery will be my next step, along with installing a button to turn on and off the power. 

[gaminator]

Note, I may end up buying a smaller battery, this one is 600 mah but is also a bit thick for my liking. I may buy a 300 mah one that is half as thick. 300 mah should be more than enough to get me through a day!

[janhasse]

nice can't wait to see the final result

[TheBlairventure]

Wow, this looks really nice.

[OnCue]

I'm really excited to see the progress on this! Keep up the good work!

[EpicGeekonFire]

Awesome! 

[gaminator]

Thanks for the support guys!

 

The next update will be coming on Monday!

[JokuTyyppi]

Wow what an idea! Very impressive job! I would never be able to solder that small pieces

[sperkowsky]

How much would that cost you cuz I may do this myself

[sperkowsky]

Also what are u going to put on it If you need a graphic designer I'll help u our

[sperkowsky]

O btw I have acess to a 3d printer so I can use ur design for casing

[gaminator]

O btw I have acess to a 3d printer so I can use ur design for casing

I'll probably just get the case printed from shapeways; I printed things from them before and they have always been high quality! I also have extensive experience in Blender so no need for you to design it, but thanks for offering! I also have access to a 3d printer, but find that shapeways can deliver a more precise print.

 

 

How much would that cost you cuz I may do this myself

I have payed about $50 for all of the parts I believe. I'll total up the costs when I finish everything and have the price for the case finalized (shapeways charges a lot IMO, but its cool, they are really accurate).