Arduino Bluetooth Smartwatch with Android Notifications

If you want a smartwatch, you could spend hundreds of dollars to get a very capable model off the shelf. Another option, as demonstrated by Electronoobs, would be to build one yourself using a custom PCB and an ATmega328 chip found on many Arduino models. Instead of a housing, the PCB provides supports for the watch, including two long holes that secure the strap.

While creating a custom watch might save you money in terms of pure dollars, Electronoobs illustrates nicely that depending on how you value your time, it’s still not cheap. So far, the project has gone through multiple revisions, and the version shown still has a couple of small errors. Even so, it’s an interesting look into the kind of skills needed and challenges involved in putting together a relatively simple smartwatch.

Currently, the device sips either 2mA in sleep mode without Bluetooth activated, or roughly twice that with an HC-06 module installed, allowing a small rechargeable battery to keep the watch going all day. A battery charging circuit is integrated into the PCB, along with an FTDI chip for programming changes. Finally, android app called Noitiduino is used to push notifications from various smartphone apps, potentially a very good resource for other custom watch and IoT projects.