DIY LightInk Smartwatch Packs 10-Month Battery, Solar Power and LoRa

1 articles · Updated · Notebookcheck.net · May 17

LightInk is a self-assembled E Ink smartwatch project that pairs a 100mAh battery with solar charging for up to 10 months of runtime.
The design prioritizes low power: it drops an accelerometer, uses a sunlight-readable E Ink screen with backlight, and adds LoRa, GPS and a speaker.
Unlike Garmin-style solar watches, LightInk leaves its solar panel visibly separate from the display rather than integrating it into the screen.
The watch is not sold commercially; users must follow a build guide, order a circuit board, access a 3D printer and handle some soldering.
Without a companion app yet, LightInk sits between a conventional wristwatch and a full smartwatch despite its long battery life and connectivity features.

Is the rise of DIY tech like LightInk a lasting rebellion or just a niche against mainstream smartwatches?

Could DIY watches bypass smartphones to become our primary, autonomous AI companions in the near future?