Introduction: DIY Smart Glasses - Arduino/ESP

The new version is available here: [YouTube]

Heyho guys!

I am here to show You my DIY project and encourage You to Do It Yourself!

The project is real smart glasses that everyone can make at home.

All code can be found here and resources:

I also did a YouTube tutorial. Don't forget to check it out!

You can download code for Android Studio and develop it by yourself.

This project only includes basic functionality, which I hope, I will develop in the future.

Step 1: Creating Case for Electronics

First of all we have to create a case for our electronics. I designed it in Blender 3D for this type of sunglasses (picture above) and then printed it using my 3D Printer.

You can make the case using cardboard or plywood aswell. Project on GitHub.

Step 2: What Do We Need

So the elements needed in this project are:

  • ESP8266 d1 mini
  • OLED 0.91" 128x32 px
  • 100 mAh LiPo battery - 3.7V
  • LiPo charger
  • Sunglasses
  • Lens from cardboard goggles
  • jumper wires and other wires
  • Schottky diode

We will also need:

  • soldering iron
  • hot glue gun
  • double-sided tape
  • insulating tape
  • cardboard/plywood/3d printer
  • Android device (phone)

Step 3: Connect Everything Together

It's time to put everything together. You can do this according to the scheme or check out my YT video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdbJVyrHCOg&t=9s

In this step You will need soldering iron, solder and a lot of wires and patient :)

You have to connect everything as on the scheme.

Don't forget to short RST and D0 - this will enable our ESP to restart from deep sleep.

Step 4: Coding Time!

Full code and other resources can be found here:

1. Arduino IDE

So when we have our glasses electronic ready it's time to program it.

First of all we have to install required libraries. Tutorials here:

Connect ESP8266 d1 mini to the PC using USB cable, open our program (which You can download from here) in Arduino IDE.

Change the "ssid" and "password" variables according to hotspot ssid and password in Your phone.

Change the "url" to the "http://IP_OF_YOUR_PHONE:8080"

  • IP_OF_YOUR_PHONE - IP of your phone when it shares WiFi

2. Android

Now enable "USB Debugging" on Your android phone and upload program using Android Studio or using ".apk" file.

Step 5: Let's Run It

Firstly, activate hotspot on Your phone (use ssid and password you set earlier). Then open installed app.

Now you can connect ESP8266 to battery. It should connect to your phone hotspot and show "Init...".

It's time to play with app! Use auto time sending or write custom text to send it to your glasses.

Then try on the glasses and choose the best position of the lens. Attach it permamently.

Done!