Build Your Own AI Tamagotchi with Budget Microcontrollers

Tech enthusiasts are building custom, pocket-sized AI companions using the Waveshare ESP32-S3 development board as a cost-effective alternative to upcoming branded gadgets.

As major tech firms tease cute, portable AI hardware gadgets for the upcoming holiday shopping season, hobbyists are proving they can build functional equivalents at a fraction of the cost. By sourcing a $50 Waveshare ESP32-S3 1.75C touchscreen development board directly from manufacturers, developers can create push-to-talk voice AI companions complete with custom avatars.

While lacking high-end cellular radios or advanced cameras, these compact pendants function as remote camera viewfinders, pocket watches, and smart home controllers with custom vibe coding. This trend highlights the power of open hardware kits in bypassing expensive consumer tech ecosystems.