Build Your Own RP2040-Powered Pip-Boy
Let Adafruit's John Park walk you through how to create this sweet Pip-Boy-style wrist-mounted "computer."
The Fallout video game franchise is full of interesting fictional technology, thanks to the universe's retro-futuristic alternate history. The Robco Pip-Boy wrist-mounted computer is the most iconic of that technology. It provides many functions in the narrative, but players also use it to access their inventory and other gameplay features. As such, players spend a lot of time with their Pip-Boys and become quite familiar with them. While it isn't a faithful recreation of the in-game device, John Park's Pip-Boy 2040 takes advantage of the powerful RP2040 microcontroller.
Park's guide will walk you through how to build your own Pip-Boy 2040, which functions a bit like a completely customizable smartwatch. It has a large 1.69" 280x240 full-color IPS TFT LCD screen with cool rounded corners. Input is through five buttons and a 2-axis joystick. The provided code only provides a slideshow of image designed to look like an in-game Pip-Boy's interface, but you can tweak the code to provide whatever functionality you want. Turn it into a stylish watch or use it for your own cosplay — it is up to you!
The great thing about this project is that it takes advantage of Adafruit's FeatherWing ecosystem, which is modular and reduces wiring. You start with a FeatherWing Tripler Mini Kit, which is a perfboard for projects like this. Then you add an Adafruit Feather RP2040, which utilizes the fantastic Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller. After that, you add the LCD and the Adafruit Joy FeatherWing, which contains the controls. Finally, a 420mAh LiPo battery provides power. The enclosure is 3D-printable and works with a 22mm watch strap.