For the past few weeks, I’ve been working on one of my personal projects: a hybrid of hardware, firmware/software and UI design.A microcontroller-based device inspired by the aesthetic of 1980/90s gadgets.
It is built using a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller paired with a Pimoroni “GFX Pack” display and a small I2C keyboard (CardKB) and programmed in MicroPython.
The aim is to create a modular, icon-based menu system with multiple “apps” (clock, calendar, memos, todos, games, etc.) and persistent state, in a neat retro form-factor.
I’m still in the early stages of development, but I’m already able to create a simple menu system with a few apps. The 3D design is not yet finalized, but I’m happy with the progress so far. I’m learning Fusion 360 – Tinkercad was great at first, but I think Fusion 360 is a better fit for this kind of project.