FacePunch - Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C3 - dumpling - CodeCraft Hub
Scene: Maker. Edge AI application on CodeCraft Hub for Maker use cases.
Devices / BOM: Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C3, Grove Shield for Seeed Studio XIAO, Grove - Universal 4 Pin Buckled 20cm Cable (5pcs), LED Ring, Tactile Buttons, Speaker
Maker application on CodeCraft Hub. This project was inspired by wrist pain caused by long-term mouse use with the right hand. The creator wanted to make rehabilitation exercises fun and enjoyable. The final form is a boxing target with a "human face" design — you can punch the face of someone who makes you angry。
Documentation
This project was born from wrist pain caused by prolonged right-handed mouse use. The creator sought to combine hand rehabilitation exercises with fun. The final design takes the form of a boxing target featuring a "human face" — allowing you to punch the face of someone you dislike (such as a frustrating boss or an ex). Each successful hit triggers vibrant LED lighting and a celebratory sound effect.
The device is constructed with a 3D-printed base, laser-cut wooden panels, and fabric accents. Internally, it integrates a XIAO ESP32-C3, WS2812 LED rings, tactile push buttons, and an MP3 voice module. Beyond its entertainment and stress-relief value, the project also serves as an engaging interactive installation for art museums or science museums.
Deploy steps
- Hardware Connection
- Firmware Flashing
This application supports theXIAO ESP32‑C3 . Select the corresponding firmware based on your board.
Click the "Flash Firmware" button below, follow the prompts to select the appropriate serial port, and connect the device.
If the device is not recognized, double‑click the Reset button on the XIAO to enter Download Mode, then try again.
Flash firmware to your device (in-app tool on CodeCraft Hub).
- Powering On and Usage
One of the three LED rings will randomly light up in green.
You have 1 second to punch the corresponding button that matches the illuminated ring.
Correct hit: The light turns off → a celebration sound plays → next round begins.
Miss (wrong button or timeout): All rings blink red → a failure sound plays → game stops.
Reset the game: After a failure, press all three buttons simultaneously. All LED rings will blink yellow 3 times to confirm reset, and a new round will begin.
- 步骤 4
Score System & High Score Leaderboard: Integrate an OLED display to show real-time scores. Each correct hit earns points (e.g., 10 points per hit), and consecutive correct hits trigger combo bonuses. The device could save the highest score locally, encouraging players to beat their own records.
Customizable Audio & Face Swapping： Users can upload custom sound effects and replace the face panel with any photo they choose, personalizing the punching target for stress relief.
Data Tracking & Mobile App： Add Bluetooth (BLE) to track punching accuracy and reaction time. Sync the data to a mobile app that visualizes progress over days or weeks. This turns the device into both a stress-relief toy and a rehabilitation tracking tool for wrist recovery.
Public Installation Mode： For art or science museums, create a "public challenge mode." Multiple visitors can queue up, and the device displays the current high score of the day. A large screen could show live punching animations, and the machine resets automatically after each game without requiring three-button presses.
- File
finalprojectcode.ino
Structure_3D.stl
Structure_2D.dxf
- others
This project is by Li Shuijiao, a graduate of Fab Academy. She is an interesting maker. For more details, please visit: https://fabacademy.org/2025/labs/oshanghai/students/shuijiao-li/projects/final-project/ . You can find more about digital fabrication on the website.