A joystick desk console that tells you when to open the window

Difficulty

Intermediate

AI-buildability

4/5

Most of the work is Arduino firmware (menu, sensor reads, backlight logic), which AI handles well, while the level shifter wiring, soldering and printed case are hands-on.

Time

A weekend

Cost

$100–150

Estimates based on the original write-up. How AI-buildability is scored. Building with an AI assistant? Connect it to Afterware (free MCP server).

Desk Watch JOY AIR is the first model of a Grove-based range where every base model gets a Grove Thumb Joystick, a real-time clock, a buzzer and a temperature/humidity sensor, so the whole thing runs one-handed. The AIR version adds a Sensirion SCD30 to read CO2 and turns the console into a desk, classroom or workshop air monitor.

The screen shows the time, CO2, temperature and humidity, then a plain verdict on the air. The backlight shifts from green for good to orange for fair and red for act. The SCD30 runs at 3.3 V on a 5 V Grove bus, so it sits behind an I2C level shifter. The case is 3D printed, and only the base and tray change between configurations. The menu also includes a Pomodoro timer, a dice roller and a chess clock.

The firmware is public: an Arduino sketch with a joystick-driven menu, configurable CO2 limits and a night mode that dims the screen to 8 percent. The wiring diagram and printable files were slated for November 3, so this is a teaser for now.