Hardware · build

An 18650-powered ESP32 desk buddy with a knob

Electro dudeon Hackster.io

A battery-powered ESP32 desk companion with a 2.8-inch touchscreen and a rotary knob that handles AI chat, weather, crypto prices, PC stats and volume.

Build sheet

Controller: ESP32
Display: 2.8in touchscreen
Input: Rotary knob
Power: 18650 cell

Can I build this?Intermediate · AI 4/5 · $25–50

Difficulty: Intermediate
AI-buildability: 4/5
Time: A weekend
Cost: $25–50

Parts

ESP32 2.8in touchscreen Rotary encoder 18650 battery

Tools

soldering iron3D printer

Starter prompt

Based on "An 18650-powered ESP32 desk buddy with a knob" on Afterware: https://afterware.xyz/p/an-18650-powered-esp32-desk-buddy-with-a-knob

Write ESP32 firmware for a 2.8-inch ILI9341 SPI touchscreen with a rotary encoder and a 18650 battery. Show a home screen with weather, crypto prices and PC stats fetched over Wi-Fi, a page for AI chat replies, and a volume mode where turning the knob sends BLE media volume commands to a computer.

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

Story

A single ESP32 runs a 2.8-inch touchscreen with a rotary knob on the side, so you can flip between AI chat, weather, crypto prices and PC stats without reaching for the mouse. The knob also works as a BLE volume control for your computer.

The whole thing runs off an 18650 lithium cell, which makes it a true desk gadget instead of something tethered to a wall adapter. The source gives only a summary, so the exact board, display driver and firmware approach aren't spelled out here.

For your own build, this is a good template: a small display, one knob for input, and a battery cell is enough for a useful desk status panel. Pair it with a 3D-printed case and it becomes a clean standalone device.