Published March 19, 2025 © GPL3+

Wearable cyber-deck monitor using UNIHIKER for any device

The capability of reading sensor status information from other Bluetooth or wifi enabled devices. The Other vital informations...

IntermediateWork in progress391

Wearable cyber-deck monitor using UNIHIKER for any device

Things used in this project

Hardware components

DFRobot UNIHIKER - IoT Python Programming Single Board Computer with Touchscreen

Lithiuim ion battery 7.8 volt

Lithium-ion battery 2S

wireless charging

DC/DC Converter, Buck Regulator

LM2596 Step down buck converter

Adafruit USB Li Ion Battery Charger

TP4056

Hand tools and fabrication machines

3D Printer (generic)

Story

YOLU is the autonomous robot I have made before the year 2025 hits. I am satisfied with everything except one feature I wish it had. A capability of monitoring it wirelessly. Oh did I mention it is ploughing the snow outside too. So it is very necessary to monitor it remotely.

Yolu wondering in the snow. I am amaized how the torque and grip are holding up for such a low cost tires and motors

The capability of reading sensor status information from other Bluetooth or wifi enabled devices.The Other vital information like battery status, sending video via Bluetooth or wifi from the camera the robot has in the future is also so cool. Imagine wearing the powerful mini computer in your wrist and it shows you all the cool stuff about your hardware/s you specifically custom program it with.The hardware choice to realize this idea was so obvious:The Unihiker board is the one!.No doubt!. Because I have a couple of them lying around from past contests freely given to me by dfrobot.

A built in wifi/Bluetooth connection, running Debian/Linux, and topped with the powerful python. I found the Unihiker board to be the perfect choice for a wearable cyber-deck computer I have in mind. In fact this cyber-deck I am designing is open and it can be customized to any project in mind.

Inspiration

For my curiosity and inspiration I hit some AI search. As I want this to be as unique as possible with some style. I found some results that ignited my imagination howeve; they appear to be non practical. Or are they? Let us find out.

Here are some inspirations I got from google Gemini :

generate an image of UNIHIKER board with 2.8 inch touch screen that fits like a big 3D printed plastic bracelet case in the inner part of a wrist

1 / 3 • AI generated image2 for inspiration

Reality

That was Very cool right? I know!!. In reality I had to put all the hardware: The Unihiker board, the lithium-ion battery, the charging module, some wires and finally the inner closing plate in the case and all have to fit in the left arm of my wrist. Very interesting challenge but doable.

Reality check!

How do we wear a 2.8 inch screen ,battery pack and charging module on your wrist without looking ridiculous? 🤔

Make the design as slim as possible and use small circuitry and components. It is possible to use keyboard to type in both hands while the Unihiker is on the wrist (inside or out side wrist) making you cool and all free hands. I know what you thinking...the Unihiker is also a touch screen. Yeah we can use that too. The design I am approaching is the shape of human wrist as slim as possible, and as fashionable as possible (Wearable is the technical term). It is also possible to attach a Velcro belt and it fits to any wrist size. Here is the unique design approach:

1 / 4 • "The design"

I tried to leave a space for the 7.8 V lithium-ion 100mm X 40mm, stepdown module 20mm X 20mm and for wireless charging module (Reciever). Leaving basic hardware parts in the design consideration is vital.

So finally, these are the main components to consider dimension the cyber-deck. Here is the final video showing the look of the unique wearable cyber-deck that can pack a power inside. You can download the CAD and use it for your purpose, here I linked the file below.

The CAD

CAD preview 1

CAD preview 2

See you after I get this printed in My new printer (Bambu) 😆. Yes they are an awesome printers and I am not against of anything and In favour of anything either. I just like melting some plastic.

To be continued . . .

Schematics

Code

import socket
from unihiker import UniHiker
import time
 
# Initialize UniHiker
uh = UniHiker()
 
# Wi-Fi Connection Parameters
ESP32_IP = "192.168.4.1"  # Replace with the ESP32's IP address
ESP32_PORT = 12345        # Replace with the ESP32's listening port
 
# Create a socket to communicate with ESP32
sock = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
sock.settimeout(5)  # 5 seconds timeout
 
try:
    print("Connecting to ESP32...")
    sock.connect((ESP32_IP, ESP32_PORT))
    print("Connected to ESP32!")
except socket.error as e:
    print(f"Error connecting to ESP32: {e}")
    uh.screen.text("Error connecting to ESP32!", x=20, y=20, color=(255, 0, 0))
    exit()
 
def update_display(data):
    """Update the UniHiker screen with received data."""
    uh.screen.clear()  # Clear the screen
    uh.screen.text(f"Received Data:", x=10, y=10, size=20, color=(0, 0, 255))
    uh.screen.text(data, x=10, y=50, size=20, color=(0, 255, 0))
 
try:
    while True:
        # Receive data from ESP32
        try:
            data = sock.recv(1024).decode('utf-8')
            if data:
                print(f"Data received: {data}")
                update_display(data)
            else:
                print("No data received.")
        except socket.timeout:
            print("No data received (timeout).")
        time.sleep(1)
 
except KeyboardInterrupt:
    print("Exiting...")
    sock.close()
    uh.screen.text("Disconnected.", x=20, y=20, color=(255, 0, 0))

#include <WiFi.h>
const char* ssid = "ESP32-Access-Point";    // SSID of ESP32's Wi-Fi
const char* password = "12345678";          // Password for the Wi-Fi
WiFiServer server(12345);                   // Create a server on port 12345
void setup() {
Serial.begin(115200);
// Start Wi-Fi in AP mode
WiFi.softAP(ssid, password);
Serial.println("Wi-Fi Access Point started");
Serial.print("IP Address: ");
Serial.println(WiFi.softAPIP());
// Start the server
server.begin();
Serial.println("Server started");
}
void loop() {
WiFiClient client = server.available(); // Check for incoming clients
if (client) {
Serial.println("Client connected");
while (client.connected()) {
// Send data to the client
String message = "Hello from ESP32! Time: " + String(millis() / 1000) + "s";
client.println(message);
Serial.println("Message sent: " + message);
delay(1000); // Send a message every second
}
client.stop();
Serial.println("Client disconnected");
}
}