Motivated by the lack of a suitable smartwatch solution for managing his son's Type 1 diabetes, a father embarked on building a custom smartwatch from scratch. Using off-the-shelf hardware components like a PineTime smartwatch and a Nightscout-compatible continuous glucose monitor (CGM), he developed software to display real-time blood glucose data directly on the watch face. This DIY project aimed to provide a discreet and readily accessible way for his son to monitor his blood sugar levels, addressing concerns like bulky existing solutions and social stigma associated with medical devices. The resulting smartwatch displays glucose levels, trend arrows, and alerts for high or low readings, offering a more user-friendly and age-appropriate interface than traditional diabetes management tools.
Driven by the deeply personal need to enhance his son's safety and management of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), Andrew Childs embarked on a remarkable journey of engineering a custom-made smartwatch. His son, newly diagnosed, relied on a Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) and an Omnipod insulin pump, technologies that offered significant advancements in diabetes management, but lacked a crucial element: readily accessible and discreet glucose level readings for a child. Existing smartwatches, while capable of displaying CGM data, were deemed unsuitable due to their complexity, size, and potential distractions for a young user.
Childs's primary objective was to create a simple, single-purpose device focused solely on displaying blood glucose levels. He prioritized legibility, robustness, and a user interface specifically designed for a child. Leveraging his expertise in software and hardware development, he meticulously documented his process, starting with the selection of appropriate hardware components. This included a small, low-power ESP32 microcontroller, a compact OLED display screen chosen for its clarity and energy efficiency, and a robust battery to ensure longevity.
The intricate process involved not only hardware assembly but also the development of custom software to interface with the Dexcom G6 via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and interpret its data. This necessitated meticulous reverse-engineering of the Dexcom G6's communication protocols, a complex undertaking that required significant time and effort. Childs meticulously detailed his methodology, including the challenges encountered and solutions implemented. He also prioritized power optimization to maximize the watch's battery life, a critical consideration for a device intended for continuous use.
The software development included designing a straightforward user interface tailored to his son's needs, displaying glucose values in a large, easily readable font. Furthermore, he incorporated color-coded alerts to visually indicate high and low glucose levels, providing an immediate and intuitive understanding of the data. The final product, housed in a 3D-printed case designed for comfort and durability, represented a significant achievement in personalized medical technology.
Childs's project underscored the power of combining personal motivation with technical expertise to address a specific need. His detailed account of the design and development process serves not only as a testament to his ingenuity but also as a valuable resource for others interested in exploring similar solutions. This endeavor demonstrates the potential for individuals to create tailored technological interventions that improve the lives of those living with chronic conditions like T1D. His work highlights the evolving landscape of personalized healthcare and the empowering role that technology can play in managing complex medical needs, particularly for children.
Summary of Comments ( 6 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42854291
Hacker News commenters largely praised the author's dedication and ingenuity in creating a smartwatch for his son with Type 1 diabetes. Several expressed admiration for his willingness to dive into hardware and software development to address a specific need. Some discussed the challenges of closed-loop systems and the potential benefits and risks of DIY medical devices. A few commenters with diabetes shared their personal experiences and offered suggestions for improvement, such as incorporating existing open-source projects or considering different hardware platforms. Others raised concerns about the regulatory hurdles and safety implications of using a homemade device for managing a serious medical condition. There was also some discussion about the potential for commercializing the project.
The Hacker News post "Building a T1D smartwatch for my son from scratch" generated a substantial discussion with 29 comments. Many commenters expressed admiration for the author's dedication and ingenuity in creating a custom solution for managing his son's Type 1 diabetes.
Several commenters focused on the complexities and frustrations of dealing with existing diabetes technology. One user shared their personal experiences with closed-loop systems, highlighting the challenges of achieving optimal glucose control and the constant need for calibration and adjustments. They appreciated the author's proactive approach to building a tailored solution. Another commenter echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the limitations of current commercial offerings and the burden placed on users, particularly children.
Some commenters raised concerns about the project's safety and regulatory aspects. One user questioned the implications of relying on a self-built system for such a critical health condition and suggested exploring collaboration with medical professionals. Another commenter inquired about the device's accuracy and reliability, emphasizing the importance of rigorous testing and validation.
A few commenters offered technical suggestions and resources. One commenter mentioned alternative hardware platforms that might be suitable for the project. Another commenter shared a link to a relevant open-source project, potentially offering valuable insights and code examples.
Several users praised the open-source nature of the project, expressing hope that it could benefit other individuals with Type 1 diabetes. They appreciated the author's willingness to share their work and contribute to the community.
Some comments delved into the specific technical details of the project, discussing aspects such as data processing, algorithm design, and user interface development. These comments demonstrated a genuine interest in the project's technical implementation and offered valuable feedback to the author.
Overall, the comments reflect a mix of admiration, concern, and technical curiosity. The compelling comments highlight the challenges of managing Type 1 diabetes, the potential benefits of customized solutions, and the importance of collaboration and open-source development in addressing complex health problems. They also underscore the need for thorough testing and validation to ensure the safety and reliability of such systems.