Building a T1D smartwatch for my son from scratch (andrewchilds.com)

Article summary

The author, a software developer and parent of a child with Type 1 diabetes, built a custom smartwatch to help their son manage his condition. The watch provides a simple and distraction-free way to monitor blood glucose levels and receive haptic alerts. The project involved overcoming several technical challenges, including establishing a reliable BLE connection and designing a custom PCB. The watch has been successfully used by the author's son for over a year.

Main themes

• Type 1 diabetes management
• Custom smartwatch development
• Parental innovation
• Health technology
• Wearable devices
• Diabetes care

What commenters say

• The author's project highlights the need for more specialized and user-friendly devices for managing Type 1 diabetes, particularly for children.
• Some commenters suggest that existing smartwatches, such as the Apple Watch, are not suitable for children with Type 1 diabetes due to their complexity and potential for distraction.
• Others propose alternative solutions, such as using e-ink displays or open-source watch platforms, to improve the functionality and affordability of diabetes management devices.
• There is a perceived lack of innovation in the diabetes technology industry, with some commenters calling for more collaboration between manufacturers and users to develop effective and user-friendly solutions.
• The use of open-source hardware and software can facilitate the development of customized solutions for specific needs, such as diabetes management.
• Some commenters appreciate the potential for the author's project to inspire others to develop their own solutions and contribute to the development of more effective diabetes management technologies.