LightInk Smartwatch Reaches 9-Month Battery Life as Solar Design Targets Indefinite Operation
Updated
Updated · Yanko Design · Jun 18
LightInk Smartwatch Reaches 9-Month Battery Life as Solar Design Targets Indefinite Operation
1 articles · Updated · Yanko Design · Jun 18
Summary
A LightInk prototype ran nine months on battery alone, and its solar panel is designed to push the smartwatch toward effectively indefinite operation.
Under 1ms boot-send-refresh cycles made that possible after the creator bypassed the ESP32’s normal 28ms boot, which had accounted for about 60% of total power draw.
A 100mAh battery now delivers roughly six to 10 months of runtime, helped by a 1.54-inch E-Ink display that only uses power during updates and retains its image without power.
The open-source watch also packs WiFi, Bluetooth and LoRa in a 3D-printed case with 22mm bands, while optional GPS was deemed too costly in space and power.