THE QUESTION
AI can help you build physical things. But can it help YOU build one?
And what does it really take? CAIBI looks at real projects, where AI helps, where it stops, and what it takes to turn the idea into a finished physical thing.
START HEREWhat do you want to make?
ImageGenCamBUILD ITClawd MochiBUILD ITAI-on-the-edge-deviceBUILD ITSesame RobotWORTH CONSIDERINGOpenMowerBUILD FOR THE EXPERIENCESplit-Flap DisplayBUILD FOR THE EXPERIENCEVerhoBotWORTH CONSIDERINGOpenFlexure MicroscopeWORTH CONSIDERINGGridfinity RebuiltBUILD ITESP32 SmartwatchBUILD FOR THE EXPERIENCEImageGenCamBUILD ITClawd MochiBUILD ITAI-on-the-edge-deviceBUILD ITSesame RobotWORTH CONSIDERINGOpenMowerBUILD FOR THE EXPERIENCESplit-Flap DisplayBUILD FOR THE EXPERIENCEVerhoBotWORTH CONSIDERINGOpenFlexure MicroscopeWORTH CONSIDERINGGridfinity RebuiltBUILD ITESP32 SmartwatchBUILD FOR THE EXPERIENCE
PROJECTImageGenCamPhotography & videoAI CAN HELPCode · ConfigurationAI CAN'T DOPrint and finish the enclosure · Fit the camera, display, battery and Raspberry Pi into the caseCAIBI VERDICTBUILD ITNot publishedNot published · Difficulty 3/5PROJECTClawd MochiElectronicsAI CAN HELPFirmware changes · UI changesAI CAN'T DOPrint and finish the enclosure · Wire the display to the ESP32-C3 correctlyCAIBI VERDICTBUILD IT$7–8~1 hour · Difficulty 2/5PROJECTAI-on-the-edge-deviceHome & automationAI CAN HELPRecognition · Configuration helpAI CAN'T DOMount the camera rigidly in front of the real meter · Create stable lighting and remove glare from the physical installationCAIBI VERDICTBUILD ITVariesVaries · Difficulty 3/5PROJECTSesame RobotRoboticsAI CAN HELPFirmware changes · Animation codeAI CAN'T DOPrint the mechanical parts · Wire and fit the eight servosCAIBI VERDICTWORTH CONSIDERING$50–60Weekend+ · Difficulty 4/5PROJECTOpenMowerRoboticsAI CAN HELPConfiguration help · Code investigationAI CAN'T DOModify the donor mower safely · Make the electrical and mechanical connections inside the machineCAIBI VERDICTBUILD FOR THE EXPERIENCE~€700 + mower + RTKWeekend+ · Difficulty 5/5
PROJECTSWhat people are making
Browse all 10 →
ImageGenCamA buildable Raspberry Pi camera designed around a Codex-assisted hardware and software workflow.CostNot publishedTimeNot publishedDifficulty3/5AI help5/5CAIBI VERDICTBUILD ITThere is no obvious finished-product equivalent. The point is the combination of custom hardware, image generation and a build process that deliberately gives an AI coding agent meaningful work.→
Clawd MochiA small ESP32-C3 desk companion with animated faces, web controls and a published low-cost parts list.Cost$7–8Time~1 hourDifficulty2/5AI help4/5CAIBI VERDICTBUILD ITCheap, compact and easy to modify. It is a good example of AI-assisted embedded work becoming approachable without turning into a large electronics project.→
AI-on-the-edge-deviceAn ESP32-CAM project that reads existing water, gas or electricity meters and publishes the readings digitally.CostVariesTimeVariesDifficulty3/5AI help4/5CAIBI VERDICTBUILD ITIt adds digital reporting to a meter that already works. The value is in avoiding replacement hardware and extracting more use from the equipment you already have.→
Sesame RobotA printable ESP32 quadruped using eight servos, an expressive OLED face and open animation/control software.Cost$50–60TimeWeekend+Difficulty4/5AI help3/5CAIBI VERDICTWORTH CONSIDERINGThe result is a useful robotics platform rather than a one-off novelty. Hardware, movement, expressions and software can all be changed after the first build.→
OpenMowerA conversion that replaces the electronics in compatible robot mowers with GPS-guided, map-aware open hardware and software.Cost~€700 + mower + RTKTimeWeekend+Difficulty5/5AI help2/5CAIBI VERDICTBUILD FOR THE EXPERIENCEIt can turn a compatible basic mower into a much more capable open platform. The case is strongest if you value control, mapping and modification rather than simply needing the grass cut.→
Split-Flap DisplayA modular ESP32-based split-flap display designed to scale from a single character to large installations.CostScale-dependentTimeMulti-dayDifficulty4/5AI help2/5CAIBI VERDICTBUILD FOR THE EXPERIENCEA physical display with sound, motion and presence that software cannot reproduce. It makes most sense when the mechanism itself is part of the appeal.→
VerhoBotA compact ESP32 curtain robot built to automate an existing curtain rail without ropes or pulleys.CostNot publishedTimeNot publishedDifficulty3/5AI help4/5CAIBI VERDICTWORTH CONSIDERINGIt retrofits automation to an ordinary curtain rail and keeps the hardware and firmware open to modification.→
OpenFlexure MicroscopeA 3D-printable microscope platform with precise flexure-based sample positioning and multiple optical configurations.CostConfiguration-dependentTimeMulti-stageDifficulty4/5AI help3/5CAIBI VERDICTWORTH CONSIDERINGIt provides a serious open instrument platform rather than a classroom toy, with the option to change mechanics, optics and automation.→
Gridfinity RebuiltA parametric OpenSCAD implementation of Gridfinity bins with configurable sizes, compartments, tabs, bases and print options.CostFilamentTimePrint-dependentDifficulty2/5AI help4/5CAIBI VERDICTBUILD ITIt converts a useful storage standard into something configurable. AI can help generate or modify parameter sets without turning every custom bin into a CAD exercise.→
ESP32 SmartwatchAn open ESP32 smartwatch with a 3D-printed case, notifications, media controls and reprogrammable firmware.CostCustom BOMTimeMulti-stageDifficulty5/5AI help3/5CAIBI VERDICTBUILD FOR THE EXPERIENCEIt is compelling as an open wearable and learning platform, not as the easiest route to a polished smartwatch.→