The Gateway is not a conventional Apple Watch or Wear OS competitor. It is a custom ESP32-S3 wearable designed as an on-wrist IoT controller, sensor dashboard, 2.4-GHz Wi‑Fi network viewer and short-range time-of-flight distance meter. It combines a 1.69-inch display, VL53L1X ranging sensor, BME680 environmental sensor, motion sensing, ESP‑NOW controls and a rechargeable battery in a custom watch PCB.
The project was published by RoboticWorx in June 2024, with source code, PCB files, CAD, schematics and firmware available for makers. It is best suited to builders who want a specialized wearable interface for their own ESP-based devices—not buyers seeking GPS, cellular calling, app support or mature health tracking.
What the Gateway smartwatch does
The Gateway acts as a physical access key for compatible IoT projects. Its buttons can send commands over ESP‑NOW to configured ESP devices, while the screen displays time, sensor readings, wireless information and custom watch faces.
| Function | What it provides |
|---|---|
| Display | Time, watch themes, sensor information and control menus on a 1.69-inch 280 × 240 ST7789 LCD |
| Distance | Short-range measurement using a VL53L1X infrared time-of-flight sensor |
| Wi‑Fi scanner | Nearby 2.4-GHz SSIDs, signal strength and authentication-mode information |
| ESP‑NOW controller | Wireless commands to configured ESP-based receiver devices |
| Environmental sensing | Temperature, humidity, pressure, altitude-related data and BME680 gas-resistance readings |
| Motion sensing | Acceleration, tilt and motion-triggered wake behavior through an ICM42670 |
| Power monitoring | Battery measurement through an MCP3427 ADC |
| Extras | Flashlight-style white screen and an optional visible red laser pointer |
There is no indication that the Gateway provides cellular service, GPS, phone calls, a mainstream phone companion app, an app store or certified fitness and health features. Calling it a “smartwatch” describes its form factor and programmable display; technically, it is closer to a wearable IoT remote.
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- 【Wireless】Wi-Fi:802.11 b/g/n,Bluetooth:BLE V5.0
- 【Onboard Functions】RTC, Microphone, MAX98357A, Power Detection, BMA423 3-axis acceleration sensor
- 【WIKI】wiki.lilygo.cc/get_started/en/Wearable/T-Watch-S3-PLUS/T-Watch-S3-PLUS.html
- 【Github】github.com/Xinyuan-LilyGO/TTGO_TWatch_Library/tree/t-watch-s3
- 【After-sales Service】If you have any questions or suggestions about the product, please feel free to contact us. We will answer your question as soon as possible.
Hardware architecture
The central controller is an ESP32-S3-MINI. The display uses SPI, while the principal sensors share an I²C bus. The documented hardware includes:
- 1.69-inch 280 × 240 RGB LCD with an ST7789 controller
- ST VL53L1X time-of-flight distance sensor
- Bosch BME680 environmental sensor
- TDK/InvenSense ICM42670 motion sensor
- MCP3427 battery-monitoring ADC
- 400 mAh rechargeable LiPo battery
- TI BQ24090DGQR charging circuitry
- Five physical buttons
- Optional 650-nm, 5-mW red laser
Conceptually, the system is arranged like this:
Buttons / IMU / Sensors
│
▼
ESP32-S3
├── SPI → ST7789 display
├── I²C → VL53L1X, BME680, ICM42670, MCP3427
├── Wi‑Fi → 2.4-GHz network scanning
├── ESP‑NOW → configured IoT receivers
└── Power system → LiPo charger and monitoringThe VL53L1X and BME680 are mounted on a raised or vertical portion of the PCB. The distance sensor needs to point outward from the wrist, while separating the environmental sensor from heat-producing electronics can help it represent surrounding conditions more usefully.
This is not a project that can be reproduced by attaching a few modules to any generic ESP32 development board. A complete build involves the custom PCB, display, sensors, charger, battery, buttons, mechanical parts and enclosure or band components. The PCBWay project listing identifies the available design materials, while the GitHub repository is the primary software reference.
What the “LiDAR” sensor really does
RoboticWorx calls the feature LiDAR, but the component is more precisely a compact single-point-ish time-of-flight ranging sensor: the ST VL53L1X. It emits invisible 940-nanometer infrared light and estimates distance from the returned signal.
The project describes a nominal operating range of approximately 4 cm to 4 m and accuracy of less than ±1% under suitable conditions. Those figures should not be treated as a universal field guarantee. The actual reading depends on the target, lighting, alignment and firmware configuration.
The sensor is not a mapping LiDAR and does not create a detailed 3D point cloud. It measures within a field of view. RoboticWorx describes an area of roughly 9.8 degrees in each direction around the aiming direction, so nearby objects can influence the result. Dark, reflective, transparent or irregular surfaces may produce weaker or less stable readings, and strong sunlight can reduce reliability. Indoor or lower-light testing against a flat, perpendicular surface is more favorable.
The visible red laser is an aiming aid and presentation feature, not the ranging mechanism. Its dot and the infrared sensor’s measurement area do not necessarily overlap perfectly. Treat the laser as an approximate pointer rather than proof that the exact dot location is being measured.
Wi‑Fi scanning: useful discovery, not wireless auditing
The ESP32-S3 radio supports 802.11b/g/n Wi‑Fi in the 2.4-GHz band. The Gateway’s scanner can display nearby network names, RSSI or received signal strength, and authentication-mode information represented by the project on a 0–7 scale. See the ESP32-S3 datasheet for the radio’s documented capabilities.
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It cannot scan 5-GHz-only networks because the documented hardware is a 2.4-GHz radio. Results can also vary with channel conditions, scan timing, hidden SSIDs, antenna orientation and signal strength.
Rank #2
- Attention: This is a wearable watch style development board that is not a standard pre configured smartwatch. It is a DIY module that requires customers to develop their own applications to fully utilize its features. This product is aimed at technology enthusiasts, developers or programming enthusiasts, manufacturers, etc.
- Features the ESP32-S3R8 (dual-core, 240 MHz) with 8 MB P-S-RAM and 32 MB Flash, making it suitable for running complex graphics libraries such as LVGL. Supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) and Bluetooth 5 (LE), with onboard antenna.
- 2.06inch AMOLED screen, 410x502 resolution, 16.7M colors. Driven by the CO5300 chip via QSPI interface and FT3168 touch chip via I2C, it ensures smooth graphics rendering and responsive touch control while saving IO resources.
- Built-in dual microphone array and audio codec; compatible with XiaoZhi AI and DeepSeek for voice interaction, speech applications and AI wearable development.
- QMI8658 6-axis IMU for motion and step detection; PCF85063 RTC with AXP2101 PMIC; 3.7V MX1.25 Li battery interface for efficient charging and uninterrupted power.
The scanner does not reveal passwords, automatically connect to networks, capture packets or perform vulnerability testing. It is best understood as a compact network-discovery tool for basic site awareness and troubleshooting—not a replacement for a professional wireless survey or authorized security-testing platform.
ESP‑NOW versus normal Wi‑Fi
The project uses ESP‑NOW to send commands to configured ESP-based devices without first completing a conventional access-point association. A receiving device must be programmed to recognize the message and perform the requested action.
These are three different functions:
- Wi‑Fi scanning: finds nearby access points and reports basic information.
- ESP‑NOW: sends low-overhead device-to-device messages to configured peers.
- Normal Wi‑Fi networking: connects to an access point for IP-based communication and internet or local-network services.
ESP‑NOW is not internet access, and scanning does not establish a connection. Reliability still depends on interference, antenna placement, channel compatibility, receiver firmware and correct peer configuration. The project’s editable MAC-address controls select configured ESP‑NOW destinations; they should not be interpreted as a tool for impersonating arbitrary network clients or bypassing access controls.
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The documented controls are:
| Control | Function |
|---|---|
| Button 1 | Home/watch face; wakes the watch and participates in sleep behavior |
| Button 2 | Opens wireless mode |
| Button 3 | Cycles through MAC-address destinations in wireless mode |
| Button 4 | Changes the selected MAC-address digit |
| Button 5 | Moves between digits of the selected MAC address |
| Hold Button 1, press Button 2 | Toggle distance sensing |
| Hold Button 1, press Button 3 | Toggle the red laser |
| Hold Button 4, press Button 1 | Open the flashlight screen |
| Hold Button 4, press Button 2 | Start a Wi‑Fi scan |
| Hold Button 4, press Button 3 | Enter clock-change mode |
A hardware reset button is located near the boot button. Exact behavior can change with firmware revisions, so builders should compare the controls with the revision they flash rather than assuming every binary behaves identically.
Battery and charging
The watch uses a 400 mAh LiPo battery. RoboticWorx reports approximately 14 hours of standard use and a full charge time of under 43 minutes. These are creator-reported project figures, not independent laboratory measurements.
Actual endurance will vary with display brightness, Wi‑Fi scan frequency, ESP‑NOW traffic, continuous ranging, laser use, sensor duty cycle, firmware behavior and battery age. A small battery can run an efficient embedded device for a useful period, but capacity alone does not predict runtime.
Use only a suitable battery and charging circuit, inspect the cell for swelling or damage, and stop using it if it becomes unusually hot. Do not puncture, crush or casually replace a LiPo cell with an incompatible part.
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Firmware: ESP-IDF rather than a simple Arduino sketch
The project is built with ESP-IDF, Espressif’s official development framework. RoboticWorx selected it for a project of this complexity and its FreeRTOS-based structure.
The source-build route is broadly:
- Install the ESP-IDF version and Espressif tools required by the repository revision.
- Clone the Gateway-Smartwatch repository.
- Set the build target for the project’s ESP32-S3 hardware.
- Apply any project-specific configuration.
- Build the firmware with the repository’s documented procedure.
- Place the board into download mode.
- Flash the generated images.
- Monitor serial output and test the display, buttons, sensors and radios.
Do not blindly copy a command sequence from an older article: the current repository may differ from the 2024 project documentation, photographs or prebuilt binaries. Match the ESP-IDF version, partition layout and firmware revision.
Rank #3
- This is a programmed watch. Built on the ESP32 core, Watch V2.0 PLUS combines open-source hardware and software for limitless customization. Developers can program with MicroPython, or ESP-IDF, while users personalize designs with 3D-printed cases and straps.
- A 200x200 monochrome screen delivers sharp visibility even in direct sunlight. Dynamic refresh technology ensures ultra-low power consumption, updating content without draining energy between changes.
- Seamlessly sync with external APIs (weather, news, music) and devices through multi-protocol support. Built-in 3-axis accelerometer enables gesture controls, while real-time clock (RTC) ensures precise timekeeping with alarms and calendar functions.
- Onboard USB-to-serial adapter allows instant programming. Expand functionality via GPIO pins for adding sensors or peripherals, backed by a thriving global maker community sharing templates and watch faces.
- Achieve 5-7 days of operation in time-only mode or 2-3 days with active data updates. Customizable sleep modes and motion-triggered wake-ups extend usage while balancing performance.
Flashing prebuilt images
The original instructions describe four files and these addresses:
bootloader.bin 0x0000
partition-table.bin 0x8000
main.bin 0x10000
storage.bin 0x110000These addresses apply to the project’s documented firmware output, not to every ESP32-S3 application. The project also offers themed variants, including 12-hour and 24-hour versions.
The Tool Desk
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- Hold the board’s boot button.
- Press the reset button.
- Release the boot button.
- Select the correct data-capable USB connection and serial port.
- Flash each image at its matching address.
- Reset the board and test it.
If flashing fails, check the chip target, port, USB cable, driver, binary addresses and bootloader sequence before assuming the hardware is damaged.
After a hardware reset, the documentation says that the time and stored MAC addresses may need to be entered again. If the display becomes unresponsive, power cycling or using the hardware reset is the first response. The original guidance mentions allowing the battery to discharge fully for a severe sensor lockup; treat that only as a last resort because repeated deep discharge is harmful to LiPo battery health.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Custom watch faces
The watch face uses image assets displayed through the ST7789 screen. The documented customization workflow is to create artwork on a 240 × 280 pixel canvas, export it as PNG, convert or encode it into the format expected by the firmware, replace the relevant image data or storage asset, and rebuild or reflash.
The display is also described as 280 × 240. That apparent reversal is likely an orientation issue: the panel dimensions and the firmware’s rotated image-array convention may use different width and height orderings. Confirm the active rotation and asset format in the repository before preparing a large set of images.
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PCB revisions and project files
RoboticWorx reports that a newer black PCB corrected errors present in the blue revision, although both may function. Builders should use the latest official schematic, PCB files, Gerbers, BOM and CAD materials rather than recreating an older board from photographs.
Expect the build to involve custom PCB fabrication, fine-pitch assembly, battery and charging work, display and sensor installation, mechanical fitting and firmware troubleshooting. A generic ESP32 board is useful for experimenting with software concepts, but it is not a drop-in replacement for the Gateway’s integrated watch hardware.
Common problems and fixes
| Symptom | Checks |
|---|---|
| No display | Verify firmware addresses, power, display wiring, SPI connections and reset behavior. |
| Flashing cannot connect | Repeat the boot/reset sequence, use a data-capable cable and verify the serial port. |
| Wi‑Fi scan is empty | Confirm the button combination, test near a known 2.4-GHz network and remember that 5-GHz-only networks will not appear. |
| Distance readings fluctuate | Move indoors, target a flat surface, keep the sensor perpendicular and reduce nearby objects in its field of view. |
| Laser dot does not match the measured area | Remember that the visible laser and infrared ToF field are not perfectly coincident. |
| ESP‑NOW command fails | Verify the destination MAC, receiver firmware, radio channel and message format. |
| Environmental readings look wrong | Check I²C wiring, startup behavior, calibration and whether heat from the board is affecting the raised sensor area. |
| Unexpected resets | Inspect battery voltage, charging hardware, power connections and possible firmware or sensor lockups. |
| Time or MAC settings disappear | Re-enter them after reset and verify that the flashed firmware preserves nonvolatile storage as expected. |
Build, buy or choose another smartwatch?
Build it yourself if
- You want a substantial ESP-IDF and embedded-hardware project.
- You are comfortable with soldering, custom PCBs, LiPo safety and firmware flashing.
- You own or plan to build ESP‑NOW-controlled devices.
- Customization matters more than phone integration.
- A 2.4-GHz scanner and short-range ToF sensor meet your needs.
Buy an assembled unit if
The official Gateway Smartwatch listing is the most direct way to obtain the exact design without assembling the PCB. The page has displayed a price of $190 and “Sale Sold out”; availability and price can change, so it should be checked before purchase. Even when available, it remains a specialist maker device rather than a general-purpose smartwatch.
Choose something else if
- You need GPS, LTE, cellular calls, mature phone notifications or health tracking.
- You need 5-GHz Wi‑Fi scanning.
- You expect 3D LiDAR mapping or dependable outdoor ranging.
- You want long-term commercial support, replacement parts and polished mobile software.
- You are not prepared to troubleshoot custom electronics or handle a LiPo battery safely.
A generic ESP32 wearable may be cheaper or easier for Arduino-oriented experimentation, but it will not necessarily include the Gateway’s VL53L1X placement, five-button interface, ESP‑NOW workflow or sensor package. For example, the Bellafaire ESP32 Smart Watch represents a different design and feature priority.
Quick Recap
Safety and responsible use
- Never aim the 5-mW red laser at eyes, vehicles, aircraft, people or reflective surfaces at close range. Follow local laser regulations.
- Use the supplied charging design and a suitable LiPo cell. Stop if the battery swells, overheats or is damaged.
- Use ESP‑NOW controls only with devices you own or are authorized to operate.
- Network discovery is not permission to access, intercept or test other networks. Perform security testing only with explicit authorization.
- Do not describe BME680 gas resistance as a certified toxic-gas detector or safety instrument. It is a sensor signal that requires interpretation and calibration.
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