Someone made a custom Raspberry Pi Smart Watch with a built-in laser pointer, because why not
Someone has built a fully working smartwatch using the Raspberry Pi RP2040 and shared the entire project online. It’s a DIY, open-source smartwatch designed to be easy to modify and expand using MicroPython. Instead of focusing on making it sleek and commercial, the goal was to make something functional, customizable, and fun to experiment with.
The main board used in the project is the Waveshare RP2040-Matrix. It runs on the RP2040 chip and includes a built-in 5×5 LED matrix. The watch also uses a 0.96-inch 64×128 OLED display to show information. Other components include a 5V boost converter, a buzzer, tactile buttons, and even a small 5mW red laser module.
Raspberry Pi-powered smart watch (with a laser pointer)
Yes, this smartwatch includes a laser pointer. According to the creator, it can reach up to about 3 km at night. It’s more of a novelty feature, but it works. The LED matrix is used for simple animations and visual effects. On the other hand, the buzzer can play 8-bit style tunes by adjusting PWM frequencies, so it acts like a tiny retro speaker.
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There are also some practical tools built into the watch. It includes a number storage feature for saving short sequences like phone numbers. There’s a temperature sensor that uses the RP2040’s internal sensor, though it requires calibration because the chip itself generates heat. There’s also a simple coin flip app. The watch also has a dedicated sleep switch that reduces power usage to just a few milliamps. This allows it to last for several days on a single charge.
The creator admits this is still a rough first version, calling it an “ultra-raw prototype”. The solder joints are exposed, so it’s not water-resistant. There’s also no real-time clock module, which means the time has to be reset when the device restarts. Future improvements could include a smaller design, better protection, and possibly adding Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
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