# An 18650-powered ESP32 desk buddy with a knob

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.

- Category: Hardware (build)
- Made by: [Electro dude](https://www.hackster.io/Electrodude) on Hackster.io
- Original: https://www.hackster.io/Electrodude/esp32-ai-desk-companion-with-touchscreen-rotary-knob-119e7e
- On Afterware: https://afterware.xyz/p/an-18650-powered-esp32-desk-buddy-with-a-knob

## Can I build this?

- Difficulty: Intermediate
- AI-buildability: 4/5 (Most of the work is firmware for an off-the-shelf ESP32 touchscreen board (UI, API calls, BLE HID volume), with only light soldering for the encoder and battery and a printed case.)
- Time: A weekend
- Cost: $25–50
- Parts: ESP32, 2.8in touchscreen, Rotary encoder, 18650 battery
- Tools: soldering iron, 3D printer

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

## Build sheet

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

## 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.
```

## 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.

Tags: esp32, 18650, rotary encoder, touchscreen, desk companion, ble

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