Bongo Cat Typing Companion
An ESP32-based desk device with a digital pet that animates when you type -- displaying real-time typing speed, CPU, and RAM load.
The Problem
Learning touch typing on a new ergonomic split keyboard with no real-time feedback. Existing typing tools were browser apps or raw text displays -- nothing that made the feedback loop engaging enough to sustain practice.
What I Built
A standalone ESP32-based desk device running custom firmware. The Bongo Cat animates in sync with your typing, displaying live typing speed, CPU load, and RAM usage pulled from the connected computer. Multiple animation states were hand-drawn as embedded bitmap stacks. A 3D-printed housing was designed and printed to make it a proper desk object, not a loose board. A web flasher was built so anyone can set it up without writing a single line of code or touching a soldering iron.
Concrete Outcome
Hit its crowdfunding goal. Received an offer for commercialization and mass production -- declined due to time constraints.
My Role
Wrote all firmware in C++. Drew and animated every state. Designed and printed the housing. Ran the entire crowdfunding campaign including promotion and fulfillment strategy.
Resources & Links
Supporting artifacts, downloads, and external references related to this project.