Updated
Updated · Android Authority · May 22
Desmontei Turns TicWatch Pro 3 Into Gear-Knob Display With 2 Functions
Updated
Updated · Android Authority · May 22

Desmontei Turns TicWatch Pro 3 Into Gear-Knob Display With 2 Functions

2 articles · Updated · Android Authority · May 22
  • Desmontei repurposed a TicWatch Pro 3’s display and motherboard into a 3D-printed gear knob that shows the car’s active gear on the lever itself.
  • A custom Wear OS app uses accelerometer and gyroscope readings to calculate the knob’s angle and infer which gear is engaged.
  • Hill driving initially threw off the readings, but he said he fine-tuned the algorithm to reduce incorrect gear displays.
  • Swipe gestures add a second use: the modified knob can pause Spotify or skip tracks while driving.
  • A second version is already planned, with stronger SLS-printed material and possibly a second car-mounted sensor for more reliable angle reference on inclines.
Could your old smartwatch be the next upgrade for your car, or is this DIY trend a safety risk?
Can upcycling millions of old smartwatches into car parts truly impact our global e-waste problem?
As cars become software-defined, will DIY hacks begin to replace expensive factory options?