Aura, Smart Weather Forecast Display

Aura is a glanceable smart device that displays the latest weather forecast. Never walk out the door wearing the wrong gear again.

• Assemble in seconds
• Costs less than $20
• No wiring or soldering!
• Free and open source

NEW: If you have an H2D or other laser cutter, check out the laser edition of this project.

 

Aura is not only super useful in daily life, but it is also an ideal first project for learning to combine 3D printing with microcontrollers. It uses off-the-shelf parts that are inexpensive and widely available on Amazon, and it's simple to set up. No previous experience required.

Boost MeHope you have good weather, but feel free to rain down your boosts :)

Required Parts

1. Case (printed)
2. ESP32-2432S028R ILI9341 dev board with 2.8" display (Also known as a CYD): Around $15
   • Buy on Amazon: USA / USA2 / USA3 / USA4 / USA5 / USA6 / USA7 - UK / UK2 / UK3 - Canada - Germany
     • Update: Many Amazon links are sold out, but other ESP32-2432S028R ILI9341 devices on Amazon should also be fine. Just make sure to get the 2.8" display version.
   • Buy on AliExpress
3. Any USB-C (or USB Micro) 90 degree angled connector
   • Some boards have a USB-C port, others have USB Micro. So order the appropriate USB adapter for your board
   • Buy on Amazon: USA - UK - Canada - Germany
   • Any adapter or angled cable that fits will work fine.

Note: If the exact 'DIYmalls' brand 2.8" ESP32-2432S028R ILI9341 board is not cheap or easily available in your country, you can buy any brand's “ESP32-2432S028R ILI9341 2.8in 240x320 TFT LCD Module”. Many Chinese distributors sell this product. Just make sure it's a 2.8-inch display and that the ESP32-2432S028R ILI9341 numbers match.

Software Installation and Assembly

Full instructions with photos are in the assembly guide PDF below, but here is the quick version:

Step 1: Install Aura's Software

1. Plug the board into your computer's USB port.
2. Visit this website to install the Aura software onto the board.
3. Once the software is loaded, follow the instructions on the screen to configure Aura's access to your Wifi. It needs internet access to load the weather forecast.

Step 2: Assemble the Device

1. Attach the USB angle adapter to the board's USB port, facing away from the screen.
2. Drop the board into the front of the case with the screen facing outwards.
3. Pop the back of the case on. Make sure it's firmly seated all the way around.
4. Plug in a USB cable for power!

Step 3: Use Aura

• Click on the top of the screen to access Aura Settings. 
  • From there, you can enter your city to make sure you get the correct forecast. 
  • You can also change the brightness or switch between C/F temperatures.
• Click on the 10-day weather forecast area to switch between an hourly forecast or daily forecast view.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Aura connects to the internet. Does it collect any information or track me?

A: No, it only connects to the Open-Meteo API to fetch the weather forecast. You can see the source code here and compile the software yourself, if you like. It's open source.

 

Q: Do I need an account or anything to use this? Does it cost money to use?

A: No, it's totally free, and no accounts are required.

 

Q: Aura displays everything in English. Does it support other languages?

A: Not yet. I may add localization if there is demand.