MAKE / 04 · Hardware

One idea. One device.

Idea → components → prototype → supplier → sample → production. We do not manufacture hardware today — here we show the path and what must be proven.

01IdeaLive
02ComponentsLive
03PrototypeBuildable
04SupplierExperiment
05SampleConcept
06ProductionConcept

Honest status: every device below is a concept. The simulators work in your browser; no device can be ordered.

01 · Desk light

BuildLight Concept

A light strip that follows CI. Green when the build passes, red when something broke.

Idea
Components
Prototype
Supplier
Sample
Production

Web simulator Live

Could this be built?

Yes. Standard parts and common firmware. The hard part is not the electronics but whether people keep looking at it.

What would it require?

Microcontroller with Wi-Fi (e.g. ESP32-class)hardware
Addressable LEDs (e.g. WS2812-type)hardware
Mechanical switch or capacitive padhardware
USB-C for power and programminghardware
Enclosure (3D print for the prototype)hardware
Firmware: connectivity, updates, displaysoftware
Cloud side or webhook that feeds the devicesoftware
Setup page to connect accountssoftware

Draft component list from rules, not from an engineer. Live

Software vs hardware?

Hardware: light, board, enclosure. Software: CI webhook, setup page, firmware updates.

Validate next

Three prototypes with three teams for two weeks. Do they still look?

Also needs

CE marking before sale in the EU. An enclosure supplier.

02 · E-ink

PaperLedger Concept

A calm e-ink screen for the three numbers you otherwise check in three apps.

Idea
Components
Prototype
Supplier
Sample
Production

TODAY · 09:00 42 180 kr

New customers17

Open issues4

E-ink simulator · the numbers are your own, nothing is fetched Live

Could this be built?

Probably. E-ink panels and Wi-Fi boards exist off the shelf. Battery life depends on how often it refreshes.

What would it require?

Microcontroller with Wi-Fi (e.g. ESP32-class)hardware
E-ink panel (SPI) or small LCDhardware
LiPo battery + charge circuithardware
USB-C for power and programminghardware
Enclosure (3D print for the prototype)hardware
Firmware: connectivity, updates, displaysoftware
Cloud side or webhook that feeds the devicesoftware
Setup page to connect accountssoftware

Draft component list from rules, not from an engineer. Live

Software vs hardware?

Hardware: panel, board, battery, enclosure. Software: payment and issue integrations, scheduling.

Validate next

Battery life at four refreshes a day. Whether it really replaces a browser tab.

Also needs

Secure handling of API keys. A panel supplier with steady availability.

03 · One button

VaultKey Experiment

A physical button that approves a deploy or a payment. One press, no app.

Idea
Components
Prototype
Supplier
Sample
Production

Could this be built?

Technically yes, but security is the whole product. This needs expert review before anything is promised.

What would it require?

Microcontroller with Wi-Fi (e.g. ESP32-class)hardware
Mechanical switch or capacitive padhardware
NFC readerhardware
Secure element for keyshardware
USB-C for power and programminghardware
Enclosure (3D print for the prototype)hardware
Firmware: connectivity, updates, displaysoftware
Cloud side or webhook that feeds the devicesoftware
Setup page to connect accountssoftware

Draft component list from rules, not from an engineer. Live

Software vs hardware?

Hardware: button, secure element. Software: signing, approval flow, revocation.

Validate next

A threat model and an external security review.

Also needs

Certifications depending on use.

Small companions

Devices that do one thing.

PRESS → WEBHOOKBuildable

Smart button

A button that starts a flow: reorder, log an event, call someone.

Make this real →

SENSOR → SCREENConcept

Room sensor

Air and temperature in a meeting room, shown on a small screen.

Make this real →

TAP → LINKBuildable

Tap card

An NFC card that opens a collection or gallery on the phone.

Make this real →