Cobalt Watch: The Retro Voice Assistant

Overview

Cobalt Watch is an independent project that brings modern voice AI to a classic design. It takes the famous Casio F-91W watch and upgrades it with a custom circuit board inside. This allows users to control their watch and get help from a voice assistant without needing to take out their phone. The project was created by two French engineers named Jean and Joseph. Their goal is to make technology useful without being annoying or intrusive. It is important to note that Cobalt Watch is not made by Casio and is not officially approved by them. The use of the Casio name is only to show that the device fits the original watch.

Benefits

Cobalt Watch offers several key advantages for users who want a simple yet smart device. The main benefit is the ability to use voice commands. Users can ask for the weather, set reminders, or navigate to a location by simply speaking. The device is designed to be durable and tough. It has a water resistance rating of IP56, which means it can handle water, shocks, and extreme conditions. The battery life is impressive, lasting up to six months with normal use. Another major benefit is the ease of installation. The upgrade is DIY-friendly and takes only five to ten minutes to swap the internal board at home. The device also supports gesture recognition, allowing users to control functions with hand movements.

Use Cases

This watch is perfect for people who want a minimalist gadget that does not distract them. It works well for anyone who wants to keep their hands free while walking or working. Users can use it to control music volume and skip tracks without touching their phone. The device can act as a step counter to track daily activity. For those who need quick access to information, the watch can provide weather updates or summarize a daily agenda. The wireless edition adds new possibilities. It can be used as a digital business card or an access badge for buildings. Users can also initiate payments using the NFC feature on the wireless model. The watch is currently compatible with Android phones, making it a great companion for daily tasks.

Pricing

Pricing details for Cobalt Watch are not available in the provided information. The project offers different versions, including a prototype for developers, a standard consumer model, and a wireless edition with extra features. More information on costs may be found on their official website.

Vibes

Public reception and specific customer reviews are not included in the provided article. The project is described as a minimalist innovation by its creators, who are dedicated to building the product from start to finish. The focus is on creating a device that is both functional and respectful of the original classic design.

Additional Information

The development team consists of two engineers, Jean and Joseph. Jean handles the Android application and AI voice assistant, while Joseph manages the electronic design and hardware integration. The team builds everything themselves, including the circuit boards and casings. The device uses an nRF52840 microcontroller and a MEMS microphone. The standard model uses the original 90mAh button cell battery, while the wireless edition uses a rechargeable battery. The project is entirely independent and not affiliated with Casio Computer Co., Ltd.