ESP32 is a small system on-chip microcontroller integrated with Wi-Fi and dual-mode Bluetooth. It has been used to create various low-cost and low-power wearables.

If you're feeling creative and want to try making your own smartwatches, you're in the right place. Let's look at some of the coolest ESP32 wearable projects that have been made.

1. ESP32 WROOM Smartwatch

esp32 smartwatch

The ESP32 WROOM Smartwatch is an open-source reprogrammable smartwatch. Built on an ESP32 WROOM module, you can program the smartwatch with the ESP-IDF (Espressif IoT Development Framework) and Arduino IDE.

With the help of the source code available on open-source libraries, you can easily customize the code. There are two different firmware available, and you can select a firmware according to your needs to develop your smartwatch.

The V1 firmware is the battery-saving version that uses deep sleep technology to increase its battery life and keep it running for a longer time.

2. Open-Source Smartwatch (ESP32-PICO-D4)

open source smart watch esp32

This open-source smartwatch is based on the ESP32-PICO-D4 and comes with a built-in accelerometer, a 450 mAh battery, and a 240 x 240 display. There is even an enhanced version of the original PCB that features 4 MB of extra RAM, a GPS receiver, and an SD card slot.

Download all the source files on your PC, including the PCB and 3D printable enclosure. If you don't have the tools to assemble the board, some fabrication houses offer a service for assembling the parts for you.

3. COVID Communicator

covid communicator

Stay safe while communicating during a pandemic. This maker created their own DIY solution to this problem with an ESP32-based smartwatch through which you can communicate with anyone you want at one-third the cost of an Apple watch. Establish a separate communication network by connecting your smartwatch and the other device to AWS IoT Core through MQTT.

While you could use your mobile phone, it's not always accessible—especially for those in certain lines of work. It uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for communication.

4. E-ink Digital Watch

epaper digital watch esp32 tinypico

E-paper may look like ink on paper to those who don’t know what it is. It is a low-power solution for smartwatch lovers who want to avoid the eye strain that you'd get from typical LCD screens. With just an 80 mAh battery, this E-ink Digital Watch will stay on for three consecutive days. However, keep in mind that you will need to connect it to the internet once a day to synchronize the time.

It should be noted that this is an ESP32-based watch that uses only the Esp-IDF firmware and doesn’t support the Arduino framework.

5. Smart Insole

smart insole

There's always the risk of injury for the athletic or adventurous. With this smart insole, you can be in more control knowing. You'll know how much force each of your feet exerts, and to what distribution they do when performing an activity. This way, injuries can be avoided while taking performance to a whole new level. This smart insole is built with two ESP32 microcontrollers, one for each foot.

Other components include 10k ohm resistors, copper tape, velostat conductive sensing material, printed insole templates, WS2812RGB LEDs, pushbutton switches, accelerometers, and a 3D printable housing. Basically, it uses the sensors to collect data which is shared through Wi-Fi via real-time stats. By doing so, you adjust how you perform and compare the data from two different sessions to see the difference.

6. Presence Sensor

presence sensor

If you have dreamt of a device that will activate if you are present near it, this is it. This is an ESP32-based presence sensor that does just that. By using a smartwatch of any company or an ESP32 smartwatch, you can control a smart device. Just connect the smartwatch with the smart device, and it will trigger the proximity sensor through IFTTT if you are anywhere near it!

7. Receive Notifications From Your iPhone to an ESP32 Watch

notification sfrom iphone to esp32 watch

Are you an iPhone user who wants to receive notifications on a smartwatch but doesn’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on an Apple Watch? If the answer to that question is yes, then this ESP32 BLE watch is for you; you will be able to see who is calling you or who sent a message.

You only need the M5StickC development with BLE, a display, battery, and a source code, and you are all set to create your first smartwatch. Write the code with Arduino IDE and customize it to receive filtered notifications or notifications from specific contacts only.

8. A Smartwatch That Keeps Track of Ambient CO2 Levels

smart watch keeps eye on ambient co2 levels

When we breathe in, we take in oxygen. And when we breathe out, we exhale carbon dioxide. High CO2 levels around us can indicate that there are more humans around, and perhaps, the pathogens they carry.

This maker has created a modification for the Watchy open-source smartwatch; specifically, it can monitor the CO2 ambient levels. It is based on the Sensio SCD40 or SCD41 sensor to detect CO2 near you. Equip yourself with data and graphs to keep an eye on CO2 concentration.

9. ESP32 Internet Radio

esp32 internet radio is no game

Sure, you can listen to the radio on your smartphone. But what if you want to go out somewhere and would rather leave your phone at home? Don't worry; we've got the solution.

If you have an extra display and a TTGO T-Display board with you, you can build a low-cost ESP32 internet radio! Download the code from GitHub and add the audio libraries to it. You can also see a visualization of what is happening on the small display and control the music player.

Which ESP32 Wearable Project Is for You?

In this article, we’ve looked at 10 wearable projects made with an ESP32. Most of these projects are DIY smartwatches that utilize the low-cost of the ESP32, in addition to 3D printing technology and more.

Having read this far, you should now have a good idea of what exciting projects you'd like to try. All that's left for you to do is get creating and bring your own ideas into the world!