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

An Arduino UNO, a Grove joystick and a Sensirion SCD30 CO2 sensor go into a 3D-printed desk box that gives the air a verdict and changes its backlight to match.

- Category: Hardware (build)
- Made by: [Pr.Belamine Makerlab](https://www.hackster.io/Pr_Belamine_Makerlab) on Hackster.io
- Original: https://www.hackster.io/Pr_Belamine_Makerlab/desk-watch-joy-air-arduino-uno-air-quality-console-87a46f
- On Afterware: https://afterware.xyz/p/a-joystick-desk-console-that-tells-you-when-to-open-the-window

## Can I build this?

- 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
- Parts: Arduino UNO R3, Grove Base Shield V2.0, Grove LCD RGB Backlight V4.0, Grove Thumb Joystick, Sensirion SCD30, Grove RTC, Grove SHT31, I2C level shifter
- Tools: soldering iron, 3D printer, Arduino IDE

Estimates based on the original write-up. How the AI-buildability score works: https://afterware.xyz/ai-buildability

## Build sheet

- Controller: Arduino UNO R3
- Sensor: Sensirion SCD30 CO2
- Input: Grove Thumb Joystick
- Case: 3D printed

## Starter prompt

```
Based on "A joystick desk console that tells you when to open the window" on Afterware: https://afterware.xyz/p/a-joystick-desk-console-that-tells-you-when-to-open-the-window

Write Arduino firmware for an Arduino UNO with a Grove Base Shield, a Grove 16x2 RGB LCD, a Grove Thumb Joystick on A1 and A2, and a Sensirion SCD30 CO2 sensor on I2C through a level shifter. Show time, CO2, temperature and humidity, and set the backlight to green, orange or red based on CO2 thresholds. Add a joystick menu with a timer and a dice roller.
```

## Story

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.

## Resources

- [Project page](https://www.hackster.io/Pr_Belamine_Makerlab/desk-watch-joy-air-arduino-uno-air-quality-console-87a46f)
- [First version (Melody/Teacher editions)](https://www.hackster.io/Pr_Belamine_Makerlab/desk-watch-arduino-uno-console-melody-teacher-editions-0709c7)
- [Firmware file](https://www.hackster.io/code_files/688859/download)

Tags: arduino uno, grove, co2 sensor, joystick, 3d-printed case, air quality

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