Three years ago, when the, then, 5-year-old Omkar attended the 2012 Maker Faire, the young Maker was suddenly overcome with a great interest for the world of electronics and programming. Once he began dabbling in Arduino-based projects shortly thereafter, Omkar came up with the design for the O Watch, a 3D printed smartwatch kit created to help young innovators become acquainted with programming and 3D printing design. His project has been so successful thus far that Omkar has even received a helping hand from 3D Hubs, well-known in the industry as one of the biggest global networks for local 3D printing services.
The O Watch allows kids to build the smartwatch from scratch, packaged with the full set of components and simple instructions that can help turn any youngster into a Maker. The 3D printed watch case is customizable in color, allowing kit-builders to gleefully choose the desired color of their watch and watch strap before they start the construction process. Within the 3D printed case are the components to the kit, which include an OLED screen and a LiPo battery, as well as a sensor board that is able to detect temperature and barometric pressure. The O Watch has already surpassed the crowdfunding goal it set via Kickstarter, and has even gained a major ally in the 3D printing world to help make the O Watch accessible to all.
3D Hubs has taken note of Omkar’s smartwatch design, and seemingly want to share the innovative O Watch with the young future programmers and designers of the world. To help their Kickstarter goal go even further, 3D Hubs is offering a $10 credit towards their services to anyone who helps to back Omkar’s project. Whether you have a 3D printer within the confines of your home, or an accessible local 3D printing maker-space near by, the O Watch is aiming towards procuring an ecosystem for kids to experiment with 3D printing technology.
Later this September in New York City, Omkar will be a featured guest at the World Maker Faire, the very same type of event that originally inspired his innovative spirit when he was just five. Omkar’s project is currently being displayed on the IOT4Kids website, a tech-related site meant to introduce kids to the so-called “Internet of Things”. Omkar has produced a unique and advanced 3D printed smartwatch at such a young age, and has been gaining such recognition from the industry, that one can’t help but imagine what else this young innovator will possibly come up with in the future.
