An nameless maker has constructed a low-power moveable distraction-free Python-powered ePaper typewriter, dubbed the ZeroWriter — pushed by a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W single-board laptop and buildable for below $200.
“This venture began as a private try to make an inexpensive [ePaper] typewriter, just like the Freewrite or Pomera DM30,” the maker, recognized solely by the venture title ZeroWriter, explains. “The thought was to make use of a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W because the brains, so I might deal with rapidly getting collectively the {hardware} and get to writing. It is easy sufficient for a newbie, as a result of I’m a newbie!”
This compact 3D-printed moveable goals to supply a distraction-free writing atmosphere, with low-power ePaper show. (📷: ZeroWriter)
Inspiration for the venture got here from Penk Chen’s Penkēsu, or ペンケース — a retro-themed ultra-wide pocket-friendly laptop with a 48-key ortholinear keyboard and a chunky clamshell chassis. Chen, who had beforehand designed the industrial Raspberry Pi-based CutiePi pill, launched the Penkēsu below the permissive MIT license — giving the ZeroWriter venture a base on which to construct.
Reasonably than an ultra-wide coloration show, although, the ZeroWriter opts for a low-cost Waveshare 4.2″ ePaper show. Utilizing electrophoretic expertise, the show requires energy solely when updating — and is readable in direct daylight, although with no front-light system can be completely unreadable in darkness. When the system boots, it does so immediately right into a customized Python text-editing software operating on high of Raspberry Pi OS — and providing no tempting distractions like video games or an online browser.
The gadget is powered by a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W single-board laptop operating a Python program atop Raspberry Pi OS. (📷: ZeroWriter)
“For simplicity, this venture makes use of an exterior battery pack,” the maker provides. “These are useful to have anyway, and tremendous simple to interchange down the road. If you wish to activate the typewriter, you plug within the battery pack, and it boots inside 5s. If you’re a bit extra snug tinkering, you may definitely set up your individual LiPo [battery] + battery controller chip however it provides some problems (like studying battery stage and state, and so on), so I lower it for this construct.”
The total venture write-up is obtainable on Hackaday.io, whereas the supply code and STL information for 3D printing the chassis have been revealed on GitHub below an unspecified license.