Urgent.News

What's breaking now, across thousands of outlets.

Science

This project turns your ESP32 CYD into a pixel aquarium with ~100 species of life

Do you have a bits box full of hardware collecting dust? Don't worry; so do I. Fortunately, the DIY community is here with ideas on how to give those dormant pieces of tech a second life with some really creative solutions. For example, if you have an ESP32 CYD sitting around, why not turn it into a miniature digital aquarium, complete with around 100 different species of life for you to discover?

This project turns your ESP32 CYD into a pixel aquarium with ~100 species of life

If you possess an ESP32 CYD display that has been gathering digital dust, fret not – the DIY community has plenty of ideas to breathe new life into your forgotten tech. One such creative project is the ESP32 CYD Aquarium, conceived by user PowerfulChart560 on the ESP32 subreddit. This innovative idea transforms your budget-friendly yellow display into a captivating simulation of marine life, featuring over 100 different species to explore.

Nicknamed the ESP32 CYD Aquarium, this project repurposes your cheap display into a miniature underwater world. Upon booting up, users are greeted with a comprehensive virtual reef, complete with fish, turtles, sharks, plants, and even shark species. Additionally, a 12-hour clock serves as a functional touchpoint for the aquarium's digital ecosystem.

The ESP32 CYD Aquarium boasts several noteworthy features:

1. A living collection of around 100 distinct species, housed in the SpeciesCatalog.h file. This digital roster includes weighted spawn rates, family silhouettes, and six size classes to bring the aquarium's inhabitants to life.

2. An interactive Reef Guide, accessible through touch controls. This feature allows users to page through the guide and records each discovered species using LittleFS storage under /field_guide.json.

3. Large fauna inhabitants such as sharks, whale sharks, and reef mantas add excitement and diversity to the tank.

4. A tank camera function enables users to follow or zoom in on specific creatures by tapping on them. A double tap then zooms out, providing an immersive experience for observers.

To delve into this engaging project yourself, simply visit the ESP32 CYD Aquarium GitHub page and integrate it into your display.

Written by urgent.news from XDA Developers's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

Read the original at xda-developers.com →

More in Science

More from Wednesday 21 October →