Build Instructions

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• 1

  The Idea

  Dude, I was just getting to that…

  Piko tracks your movement using an onboard accelerometer, applying a bit of clever math and physics to estimate how fast, and how often, you’re taking steps. We’ll dive into the technical details later, but in short, by analysing changes in acceleration, Piko figures out what you’re doing.

  Once he detects a shift in your motion, like switching from walking to running, the ESP32 kicks in, choosing the right animation to match your activity. That’s how you know Piko’s keeping up: his display changes as you do.
  

• 2

  Design Inspiration

  Piko’s design draws inspiration from the nostalgic charm of Tamagotchi characters and the clean aesthetic of minimalist pixel art. The goal was to create a companion that felt familiar, comforting, and visually timeless.

  He was intentionally designed to be:

  • Instantly lovable with a hint of deadpan personality
  • Approachable and non-intimidating
  • Visually simple, using only black and white for maximum clarity and charm
• 3

  Sketching & Choosing the Final Design

  After a whole lot of sketching and back-and-forth of ideas, four character designs made the final shortlist, each with its own unique charm. Some were expressive, some more peace-loving, but in the end, there was one clear winner…

  Piko! 🎉

  Minimal, deadpan, and just the right amount of cute — think Baymax meets pixel art.

  When finalising his design, 3 things mattered most:

  • A clean black-and-white colour palette for that crisp pixel feel
  • A neutral expression that users could project their own emotions onto
  • Soft, rounded features to keep him friendly, familiar, and wearable

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