An ESP32-based clock project uses LED panels and voice alerts to remind elderly family members when to take medicine and handle other daily tasks.
A hobbyist building under the name hvermaak has developed the Ouma Ria Smart Clock, a DIY smart clock designed to help users remember medication and manage other daily tasks. The project is documented on Hackaday.io and was covered by Hackaday. According to the builder, what started as a simple clock evolved into a device for medication reminders, birthdays and even kitchen timing tasks.
The clock runs on an ESP32-WROOM-32, which handles the display, scheduling and built-in web interface used for setup. Its main display consists of four 8 × 8 WS2812B addressable LED matrix panels, along with a 30-LED WS2812B strip that serves as a status indicator. A DS3231 real-time clock module keeps track of time independently of the ESP32, while a BH1750 ambient light sensor allows the display to dim automatically in low-light conditions. A DFPlayer Mini audio module provides spoken and tone-based alerts, while two AM312 PIR sensors detect movement in the room and enable basic motion-triggered functions.
The web interface lets a family member schedule reminders and adjust settings without reflashing the device. Beyond medication reminders, the builder has extended the same hardware to provide birthday alerts, kitchen timers and basic presence-based security functions using the PIR sensors. The project has therefore expanded from a simple reminder clock into a multi-purpose household device that can sit on a shelf or countertop.
Commercial medication reminder products range from smartphone-based reminder services to dedicated medication-management hardware, with some products requiring recurring subscriptions. An open ESP32-based build made from readily available modules provides a different approach, combining medication reminders with a persistent visual display and local operation without a subscription.
This is a hobbyist build rather than a certified medical device, and assembling it requires familiarity with soldering and ESP32/Arduino firmware, so it is not a plug-and-play product for a non-technical household. The project documentation describes a web interface for configuring the clock, but does not clearly document its authentication or access-control mechanism. Anyone replicating the build should therefore review how the interface is secured before connecting it to a shared home network.
The open nature of the project gives hobbyists and assistive-technology developers a starting point they can adapt and extend rather than relying on a closed commercial product. The build documentation, wiring details and firmware are published on the project’s Hackaday.io page, allowing others to study, replicate or modify the design.
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