DIY Tech Projects to Sink Your Teeth Into: Smart Display, Weather Station & Smart Mirror

Samuel TanDIY & Repurposing, HOW-TOs & Tutorials 0

Are you ready to take your DIY skills to the next level? These advanced DIY tech projects are perfect for enthusiasts who want to combine creativity with cutting-edge technology. Looking to breathe new life into an old monitor, build a personalised weather station or crafting a futuristic smart mirror, you have come to the right place.

Raspberry Pi, Arduino kit and complementing accessories are required for these projects so get yourself comfortable handling these and performing so light coding and configurations.

Table of Contents

Advanced Projects – requiring tools, coding and complex assembly

Each of these projects taps into the potential of Raspberry Pi, Arduino kits, and other innovative tools to create functional, stylish, and smart additions to your home. Not only will you learn valuable coding and assembly skills, but you’ll also end up with impressive tech gadgets you can proudly show off. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your tools, and sink your teeth into these exciting DIY tech projects! Head over to our other article – introduction to Raspberry Pi and projects if you need a quick intro.

If you are looking for smaller DIY Tech Projects, check out our Beginner-friendly entries and Intermediate projects.

8. Convert Old Monitors into Smart Displays

Transform your outdated monitor into a smart display that can showcase weather updates, news, calendars, or even digital art. This project is a fantastic way to breathe new life into old tech while adding a touch of modern functionality to your space. It requires basic hardware assembly and software setup using a Raspberry Pi. If you are looking for more ways to repurpose your old monitor, check out our what to do with old monitors that includes 28 brilliant projects.

This project involves setting up a Raspberry Pi, connecting components, and installing software. Some technical knowledge and troubleshooting skills are helpful.

Materials Needed:

Old monitor (with HDMI or VGA input)
Raspberry Pi (Model 4 recommended for performance)
MicroSD card (at least 16GB, with Raspberry Pi OS installed)
HDMI-to-VGA adapter (if your monitor uses VGA)
Power supply for Raspberry Pi
Wireless keyboard and mouse (for setup)
Cables and adapters as needed (e.g., HDMI, power cables)
Optional: Frame or casing for a polished look

Steps:

Prepare the Monitor: Test the monitor to ensure it’s in working condition. Clean it thoroughly for a fresh look. Gather the necessary cables (e.g., HDMI or VGA) to connect it to the Raspberry Pi.
Set Up the Raspberry Pi: Download and install Raspberry Pi OS on a microSD card using a tool like Raspberry Pi Imager. Insert the microSD card into the Raspberry Pi and connect it to the monitor using an HDMI cable (or an HDMI-to-VGA adapter if needed).
Install Required Software: Power up the Raspberry Pi and complete the initial setup, including connecting to Wi-Fi. Install software based on the purpose of your smart display:
- For weather, calendar, and news: Use MagicMirror or similar software.
- For digital art or photos: Use a slideshow app like Pi3D.
- Follow the instructions for configuring the chosen software to display the desired content.
Customize the Display: Configure the software to show widgets or data you care about, such as time, weather, upcoming events, or custom messages. Adjust settings for brightness, rotation, and layout to suit your space.
Secure the Components: Place the Raspberry Pi and cables neatly behind the monitor. Use adhesive clips or a small mount to keep everything organised. If desired, build a frame or casing to give the setup a sleek, polished look.
Test Your Smart Display: Power up the system and ensure all features are functioning as expected. Make adjustments to the display layout or software settings as needed.

By the end of this project, you’ll have a fully functional smart display that can serve as a digital dashboard, a photo frame, or even a modern art piece.

9. Build a DIY Weather Station

Create your own weather station to monitor local temperature, humidity, and more! This advanced project combines coding, electronics, and assembly, making it a rewarding challenge for tech enthusiasts. Not only will you learn valuable skills, but you’ll also have a functional device to track the weather in real time.

This project involves assembling sensors with an Arduino kit and programming it to collect and display weather data. Some coding experience and familiarity with basic electronics are required.

Materials Needed:

Arduino board (e.g., Arduino Uno or Nano)
Sensors:
- Temperature and humidity sensor (e.g., DHT11 or DHT22)
- Barometric pressure sensor (e.g., BMP180 or BMP280)
- Optional: Wind speed and rainfall sensors
Breadboard and jumper wires
Resistors (as required for sensor connections)
Display module (e.g., LCD or OLED screen)
Power supply (USB cable or battery pack)
Computer with Arduino IDE installed

Steps:

Set Up the Arduino Environment: Download and install the Arduino IDE on your computer. Connect the Arduino board to your computer using a USB cable.
Assemble the Sensors: Place the sensors on the breadboard and connect them to the Arduino board using jumper wires. Refer to the data sheets for each sensor to ensure proper connections to the Arduino’s pins.
Write the Code: Use the Arduino IDE to write code that collects data from the sensors and displays it on the LCD or OLED screen.
- Libraries for popular sensors (e.g., DHT or BMP) can be installed from the Arduino IDE’s library manager to simplify coding. Here are the steps to add libraries to Arduino IDE.
- Example code snippet for a temperature and humidity sensor:
```
#include <DHT.h>
#define DHTPIN 2
#define DHTTYPE DHT22
DHT dht(DHTPIN, DHTTYPE);

void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
dht.begin();
}

void loop() {
float temp = dht.readTemperature();
float hum = dht.readHumidity();
Serial.print("Temperature: ");
Serial.print(temp);
Serial.print("°C Humidity: ");
Serial.print(hum);
Serial.println("%");
delay(2000);
}
```
Test the Setup: Upload the code to the Arduino board and open the Serial Monitor to ensure the sensors are providing accurate readings.
Add a Display: Connect an LCD or OLED screen to the Arduino and modify the code to output weather data to the display. Example: Show temperature, humidity, and pressure readings.
Build a Casing:Enclose the Arduino, sensors, and display in a weatherproof casing if you plan to use it outdoors. Ensure proper ventilation for sensors to measure environmental conditions accurately.
Power the Weather Station: Use a USB cable connected to a power adapter or a battery pack for portable use.
Optional: Add More Features: Incorporate additional sensors like wind speed, rainfall, or UV index. Connect the station to Wi-Fi using a module like ESP8266 to upload data online for remote monitoring.

Once complete, you’ll have a fully functioning weather station capable of tracking local weather conditions. You can use it for personal insights, school projects, or even community weather monitoring.

10. Make a DIY Smart Mirror

Turn your old monitor into a futuristic smart mirror that displays time, weather, news, and more! This advanced project combines hardware integration and software configuration to create a stunning and functional addition to your home.

This project requires integrating a two-way mirror, an old monitor, and a Raspberry Pi. It also involves installing and configuring smart mirror software. Basic coding and hardware skills are necessary.

Materials Needed:

Two-way acrylic mirror (cut to the size of your monitor)
Old monitor (with HDMI or VGA input)
Raspberry Pi (Model 3 or 4 recommended)
MicroSD card (with Raspberry Pi OS installed)
HDMI or VGA cable (depending on the monitor)
Frame or enclosure to house the components
Power adapter for the Raspberry Pi
Wireless keyboard and mouse (for setup)
Optional: USB microphone or camera for voice commands or video

Steps:

Prepare the Monitor: Remove the plastic casing from your old monitor to expose the screen. Clean the screen thoroughly to ensure a clear display through the mirror.
Set Up the Raspberry Pi: Install Raspberry Pi OS on a microSD card using Raspberry Pi Imager. Insert the microSD card into the Raspberry Pi and connect it to the monitor using an HDMI or VGA cable.
Install Smart Mirror Software: Use MagicMirror, a free and open-source platform for smart mirrors.
- Install MagicMirror by running the following commands in the Raspberry Pi terminal:
- ```
curl -sL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/MichMich/MagicMirror/master/installers/install.sh | bash
bash
```
- Configure the software modules to display features like time, weather, news, and calendars.
Assemble the Smart Mirror: Place the two-way mirror over the monitor screen. The mirror reflects light while allowing the monitor display to shine through, creating the smart mirror effect. Secure the mirror and monitor inside a frame or enclosure. Ensure the Raspberry Pi and cables are neatly arranged behind the screen.
Configure the Display: Use the MagicMirror configuration file to adjust the layout and features displayed.
- Example features include:
  - Time and date
  - Weather updates
  - News headlines
  - Custom messages or reminders
Test and Calibrate: Power up the smart mirror and verify that the display is visible through the mirror. Adjust the screen brightness and mirror placement for optimal visibility.
Add Advanced Features (Optional): Integrate voice control using a USB microphone and software like Google Assistant. Add a camera for video functionality or motion detection.

Give your smart display a sleek and modern design look. Use it to display your daily schedule, check the weather or get the latest news headlines. If you are seriously considering this project, you are not alone. You can find plenty of resources online include this video below by Break It Yourself YouTube Channel.

Final Thoughts

With a little effort and ingenuity, you can transform old hardware into brilliant smart gadgets that are both functional and stylish. To recap – we looked at turning discarded monitor to create a smart display, turning weather tracking into a personal project, or designing a sleek, building high-tech smart mirror. You are not going to get through these projects in a day. Take your time and allow yourself space to work on them. Remember to combine your own creativity and technical know-how to make it truly yourself. Lastly, remember to share your work with us here in the comments.