Since its launch last year’s end, OpenAI’s massive language model ChatGPT has become ubiquitous. Now, the MayLabs YouTube channel offers a way to use it anywhere and anytime without needing a phone or computer.
Rather than relying on voice recognition technology from tech giants such as Siri and Google Assistant, the channel has created its DIY smartwatch, which can answer spoken questions with ChatGPT’s short responses.
In the video, a creator identified as “Frumtha Fewchure” builds the watch with processing from an 8GB Raspberry Pi 4B (which appears to be what MayLabs utilizes in its video link).
The Pi is secured in a holder that attaches to a belt and is connected to an external battery. Cables are then threaded through the arm of the jacket and attached to a 3D-printed gauntlet on the wearer’s forearm.
The video’s creator informs us that they anticipate it might operate with a less powerful Raspberry Pi. However, they caution that the Pi Zero could be too demanding since the speech recognition may overload the least powerful single-board computers.
The watch component is equipped with LED lights (which act as indicators to let you know when the microphone is active), 6 x 6 x 4.3mm tactile buttons, a 0.96-inch two-color OLED screen, and ports for attaching two Apple Watch straps.
The Frumtha Fewchure informed Tom’s Hardware that a “mysterious” LED seen in the video is meant to function as an infrared emitter, enabling the watch to be utilized as a universal remote with future updates.
We can’t deny that the watch isn’t aesthetically pleasing. However, MayLabs states that this smartwatch is a pioneer, so there’s potential for more appealing models to be released.
The code on the Pi monitors for a press of one of three buttons. It can generate CPU statistics or provide you with an analog watch face; however, the most impressive feature is that by pressing a button, it connects to the ChatGPT API and poses questions. The responses are displayed on the screen and heard through headphones (wired or Bluetooth) – since there aren’t any speakers installed.
Frumtha Fewchure has stated that the watch is equipped with an offline speech recognition kit, Vosk. While it needs to be connected to the internet for data transmission between ChatGPT, you can use your home Wi-Fi network. If you are testing the device outside your space, MayLabs suggests using a smartphone as a hotspot.
MayLabs provides a comprehensive list of components to construct your ChatGPT watch, including a display, microphone, Raspberry Pi, buttons, LEDs, and a breadboard outlined in the video. They also state that you can substitute some items for other elements.
The channel has not made any code available on GitHub or provided 3D printing designs for the watch piece, so you must do this part of the project yourself.
Although my Apple Watch may be visually more appealing, I have grown accustomed to using Siri for setting timers. Wearing this ChatGPT watch through airport security is not recommended; however, it demonstrates what wearables with more powerful AI assistants could achieve.
Andrew E. Freedman is a senior editor at Tom’s Hardware, specializing in laptops, desktops, and gaming. He has a passion for games and technology, and his works have been featured in several publications, such as Tom’s Guide, Laptop Mag, Kotaku, PCMag, and Complex. Additionally, he stays up to date with the most recent news.
Using Raspberry Pi in the design of the ChatGPT Smartwatch also allows for easier maintenance and upgrades. Users can easily replace or upgrade components, ensuring the device remains current with the latest technology and features.
Overall, the ChatGPT Smartwatch, powered by Raspberry Pi, is an excellent choice for a high-performance and customizable wearable device. Its advanced features and easy maintenance make it a top choice for tech enthusiasts, while its sleek design and ease of use make it accessible to a wide range of users.
Source: Tom’s Hardware
