Seeed Studio XIAO Reference Designs in Wearables
From AI-powered smart glasses and health-monitoring rings to gesture-controlled gloves and LED fashion accessories, Seeed Studio XIAO is powering the next generation of wearable technology. This blog showcases a diverse collection of community projects and reference designs where XIAO delivers compact size, low power, and versatile connectivity to bring innovative, real-time wearables to life.
Wearable tech is rapidly evolving—from fitness bands and smart rings to emotion-sensing pendants and gesture-controlled gloves. At the heart of many of these innovations is a need for compact size, low power consumption, wireless connectivity, and sensor compatibility. That’s where the Seeed Studio XIAO Series stands out.
With microcontrollers like the XIAO SAMD21, XIAO ESP32C3, XIAO ESP32S3, XIAO ESP32S3 Sense, XIAO nRF52840 Sense, and XIAO RP2040, developers are creating open-source, real-time wearable devices that track health, enhance communication, assist mobility, and even power AI interactions. In this blog, we highlight community projects and reference designs where XIAO shines in wearable form—whether it’s for accessibility, fashion, or function.
Creator: Rodney Trusty
Powered by: XIAO SAMD21
The Yendor Flex Glove is a fully embroidered smart glove that blends textile artistry with embedded electronics. It features conductive thread-based flex sensors, an IMU for orientation, and reactive feedback via LEDs, vibration, and sound. Designed using a custom CAD tool called Digital Fiber Studio, the glove integrates components like an ADC, buzzer, and haptic motor into a washable, wearable circuit. The project pioneers machine-sewn PCBs and introduces new techniques like embroidered bridges, tie-ins, and layout-aware stitching. Despite minor sensor issues, the glove successfully demonstrates gesture-based input and feedback, pushing the boundaries of e-textile engineering. Check out the full project details here.
Creator: Nguyễn Minh HIỂN
Powered by: XIAO ESP32S3 Sense
TPGmini v2 is a minimalist AR glasses kit that transforms ordinary eyewear into a smart, customizable assistant. Designed for both clip-on and standalone use, it features a single-button interface to switch between apps like Gemini AI, Live Transcription, and a retro-style Camera. The OLED display and reflective mirror provide a HUD-like experience, while the XIAO ESP32S3 Sense handles real-time transcription and AI queries. Built on the open-source miniOS platform, it invites developers to create and deploy their own micro-apps, making it a versatile tool for creativity, accessibility, and experimentation. You can find the complete project details on our blog.
Creator: Jacob Trebil
Powered by: XIAO ESP32S3 Sense
Vibe is a sleek, pendant-sized wearable that uses AI and computer vision to passively track food intake. Built with the compact XIAO ESP32S3 Sense, it captures images during meals and sends them via Bluetooth to a mobile app, where Vision LLMs analyze food types and log nutrition. Designed for frictionless habit-building, it avoids interruptions and supports encrypted data handling. Vibe v2 will be smaller and more energy-efficient, with planned additions like hydration tracking and workout detection. You can find the complete project details on our blog.
Creator: Marge Health Team
Powered by: XIAO ESP32C3
This prototype ring continuously tracks heart rate and blood oxygen levels for sickle cell patients using the MAX30105 sensor and XIAO ESP32C3. It streams real-time data via WebSocket to a web dashboard, with options for PDF reporting. The GitHub repository includes firmware, server code, and setup guides, with planned features like offline mode and mobile app. You can find the complete project details on GitHub.
Created by: Cathy Mengying Fang, Patrick Chwalek, Quincy Kuang, and Pattie Maes from MIT Media Lab
Powered by: XIAO ESP32S3 Sense, XIAO Round Display
WatchThis is a gesture-based wearable assistant that combines computer vision and GPT-4o to answer questions about real-world objects. Users flip up the wrist-mounted camera, point at something, and tap the screen—triggering image capture and contextual queries like “What is this?” or “Translate this.” The system runs on Arduino-compatible C++ and delivers on-screen responses within 3 seconds, with customizable prompts via a built-in WebApp. Applications include real-time translation, navigation, and smart home control, making it ideal for travelers and accessibility solutions. Check out the full details on our blog here.
Creator: Rodney Trusty
Powered by: XIAO ESP32C3
This project is a step-by-step tutorial for assembling the 2025 Open Hardware Summit badge, designed as an e-textile circuit. It features a XIAO ESP32 microcontroller, two WS2812B-2020 addressable LEDs, and a female SAO connector sewn directly onto embroidered conductive traces. Instead of soldering, components are stitched using conductive thread, with careful trimming to avoid shorts. Power is supplied via USB or a stacked coin cell battery pack sewn into a fabric tag. The guide includes component orientation tips, thread management techniques, and a sample Arduino sketch for RGB LED blinking. You can explore the complete project details here.
Creator: Solomon Muhunyo Githu
Powered by: XIAO ESP32S3 Sense
This wearable device uses TinyML and synthetic audio data to detect dog sounds—specifically barking and howling—and display alerts on an OLED screen. Designed for workers in noisy environments, it helps interpret canine warnings that might otherwise go unnoticed. The project leverages generative AI from ElevenLabs to create training data, and deploys a lightweight sound classification model via Edge Impulse onto the XIAO ESP32S3. The final build includes a 3D-printed wrist mount, a 500mAh lithium battery, and optimized ML pipelines that reduce RAM and flash usage. You can find the full project walkthrough right here.
Creator: Gokul K B
Powered by: XIAO ESP32C3
This wearable infrared thermometer ring uses the Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C3 and MLX90614 sensor to deliver fast, contactless temperature readings from 2–5 cm away, displayed on an OLED screen mounted atop the ring; designed for food service workers, it enables hands-free temperature checks while handling items, with customizable alerts for preset temperature ranges, a built-in battery management system for USB charging, and a compact 3D-printed enclosure that integrates the sensor, display, and power switch into a sleek, finger-worn form factor. Check out the full details here.
Creator: Mithun Das
Powered by: XIAO nRF52840 Sense
This wearable pet tracker uses the Seeed Studio XIAO BLE Sense with a 6-axis IMU and Nordic nRF52840 MCU to classify pet behaviors like rest, walk, and run using a TinyML model trained in Edge Impulse; data is collected wirelessly via a custom Flutter app called EI Blue, which sends accelerometer readings directly to Edge Impulse Studio, and the final model—achieving 90% accuracy—is deployed to the microcontroller, transmitting predictions every minute to a mobile app that stores and visualizes activity trends locally, all housed in a 3D-printed enclosure. Explore the full build here.
Creator: Arnov Sharma
Powered by: XIAO ESP32C3
The Temperature Card is a wearable ID-style device built around the Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C3, an SSD1306 OLED display, and an SHT40 temperature sensor; it reads live temperature data and displays it on screen, powered by a small 3.7V LiPo cell connected to the XIAO’s battery terminals, with the entire setup assembled first on a breadboard and then transferred to a custom prototyping board housed in a 3D-printed enclosure that includes a slot for an ID strap and a slide switch for power control—making it a compact, portable temperature meter ideal for everyday wear. Explore the full build here.
Creator: rafgaj78
Powered by: XIAO nRF52840
This compact Bluetooth-enabled ring functions as a wearable mouse controller using a joystick with four directional inputs and a push button to emulate left/right clicks and scroll actions; built around the Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 and programmed in CircuitPython, it features two operating modes, deep sleep wake-up via joystick press, and improved ergonomics over the original version, with a minimal 3D-printed design sized for ring diameters from 19 to 24mm, a custom PCB, and a 90mAh LiPo battery—ideal for VR headset users seeking intuitive, hands-free mouse control. Explore the full build here.
Creator: rafgaj78
Powered by: XIAO nRF52840
This Bluetooth-enabled wearable mouse controller is built around the Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 and features four tactile buttons for left click, right click, scroll up, and scroll down, all integrated into a 3D-printed ring form factor with separate designs for left and right hands; powered by a 50mAh LiPo battery with USB charging and LED indicators, it’s designed to enhance VR immersion—especially in flight simulators like DCS World—by pairing with Leap Motion and The Fingers software to eliminate the need for a traditional mouse, with simple CircuitPython-based programming and basic soldering and assembly required. Check out the full guide on instructables.
Creator: Donut Studio
Powered by: XIAO nRF52840
Inspired by the Metro game series, this wearable wristwatch replicates Artyom’s iconic gadget using four yellow 7-segment displays, a blue LED, and a light-dependent resistor for auto-brightness control—all driven by a Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 microcontroller with deep sleep support and optional BLE features. The build includes a custom PCB, DS1302 RTC, TM1637 display driver, and a CR927 coin cell battery, housed in a 3D-printed case with acrylic cover and backpack strap mounts. Designed for realism and daily use, it features multiple modes (time, date, timer), a startup animation, and a sleep/wake system triggered by button presses. Explore the full build here.
Creator: Donut Studio
Powered by: XIAO nRF52840 Sense
This gesture-controlled wearable uses the Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 and five SS49E hall sensors mounted on a bicycle glove to detect finger movements via magnetic field changes, enabling Bluetooth-based control of devices like media players or presentation software; the system includes an IR receiver, vibration motor, buttons, and LED for feedback, all integrated into a custom PCB with a 3D-printed enclosure, and programmed using Arduino-compatible sketches that support gesture recognition, haptic alerts, and multiple interaction modes—making it a versatile, hands-free interface for smart environments. Explore the full build here.
Creator: Markus Opitz
Powered by: XIAO nRF52840 Sense
These DIY smart glasses use the Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 Sense, a 0.49″ OLED display, and a 150mAh LiPo battery to create a lightweight, Bluetooth-enabled wearable that displays data directly into the user’s eye via a single mirror and plastic lens; the system is controlled by a custom MIT App Inventor mobile app that sends commands like crosshair overlays or message alerts, while the mirrored display is corrected in software using U8G2_MIRROR, and the entire build—including optics and electronics—is housed in a compact 3D-printed frame weighing just 24 grams, offering a budget-friendly alternative to commercial smart glasses. Explore the full build here.
Creator: xJaagrav
Powered by: XIAO ESP32C3
This wearable ECG monitor is designed for continuous, effortless heart health tracking. Built around the ESP32C3 microcontroller (with nRF52840 recommended for future iterations), it integrates the Heart Bioamp Candy sensor from UpsideDown Labs, a 500mAh LiPo battery, and a custom SwiftUI iOS app to stream and visualize ECG data in real time. The 3D-printed enclosure was designed in Autodesk Fusion and printed using a Bambu Lab A1, while the firmware handles BLE streaming and onboard metrics like BPM. Despite challenges with electrical noise and component limitations, the team implemented filtering and dual-mode operation (standby/streaming) to deliver a functional prototype. Find the full project detail here.
Creator: Hamid
Powered by: XIAO nRF52840
This BLE-enabled key finder uses the Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 to connect with smartphones and help users locate lost keys via a buzzer and LED. The device pairs with apps like NRF Connect to receive commands that activate sound and light cues, while a button allows users to deactivate alerts once the keys are found. Built on a custom PCB sponsored by Seeed Fusion, the firmware—developed in Arduino IDE—features BLE synchronization, command execution, and power-saving logic. Though battery details are not specified, the project emphasizes simplicity, customization, and future potential for SOS signaling or sensor integration. You can find the full guide here.
Creator: Ted
Powered by: XIAO ESP32S3
This wearable LED choker repurposes high-density 120 LED/m strips bonded to a 15mm leather strap using Barge glue, with precise hole spacing (8.48mm) to accommodate flex and maintain alignment across the full length; powered by four 300mWh LiPo batteries and controlled by a Seeed Studio XIAO S3—chosen for its compact size and built-in LiPo charge controller—the build delivers about two hours of runtime and showcases a minimalist, punch-tape-inspired aesthetic, making it a creative reuse of leftover components from a previous project. Check out the full project details here.
Creator: Sophia
Powered by: XIAO nRF52840
ErgO is a compact ring worn on the pointer finger that uses gesture and touch input to control Bluetooth devices. Built around the Seeed Studio XIAO BLE for its small size and onboard power management, it features two touch sensors for tap detection, a Pimoroni Trackball for thumb-controlled cursor movement, and a LiPo battery with a slide switch—all housed in a custom 3D-printed ring base. The result is a sleek, wearable interface for minimal and futuristic control. Check out the full project here.
Creator: Rishabh Jain
Powered by: XIAO ESP32C6
SmartCardX reimagines the business card as a credit-card-sized interactive badge that blends personality, play, and professional info. Built around the Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-C6, it features a 17×9 WS2812B LED matrix for animations and games, NFC and QR code for contact sharing, a 5-button interface for navigation, and an MPU6050 IMU for motion-based interactions. The card connects to Wi-Fi to display real-time weather and time, all housed on a custom 85×55 mm PCB with front-facing graphics and rear-mounted components. It’s a sleek, programmable showcase for developers and designers alike. Explore the full project details here.
Creator: Cayden Pierce
Powered by: XIAO ESP32S3, XIAO Round Display
uPhone is a necklace-style AI device that displays real-time translation, navigation, and shared information outward to conversation partners. It features a round RGB touchscreen and a gesture-controlled glove powered by XIAO ESP32S3, using magnets and hall effect sensors for app switching via BLE. Built to foster connection and reduce tech isolation, uPhone transforms face-to-face conversations into collaborative, informed experiences. Click here for more details.
Creator: Tobychui
Powered by: XIAO RP2040
FoG is a common symptom among Parkinson’s patients, disrupting the natural ability to walk. This lightweight wearable provides external rhythmic stimuli—like vibrations or light cues—to help the wearer “reset” their walking pattern and reduce the severity of FoG. The XIAO RP2040 drives the logic, offering low power and compact size ideal for continuous use. This project demonstrates how low-cost hardware can improve mobility and independence. Explore the full project here.
Created by: Cayden Pierce, Wazeer Deen Zulfikar, and Pattie Maes from MIT Media Lab
Powered by: XIAO nRF52840 Sense
MeMic is a wearable voice recorder that activates its microphone only when the wearer speaks, ensuring privacy in continuous audio logging. It detects speech through vibrations captured by the onboard IMU, processed locally on the XIAO nRF52840 Sense using a custom algorithm that filters motion signals and triggers recording when voice-like acceleration is detected. A RGB LED indicator lights up during active recording, providing transparency. Tested in pendant and smart glasses form factors, MeMic aims to make AI wearables more socially acceptable by mitigating always-on listening concerns. Check out our blog for more details.
Created by: Nik Shevchenko & Based Hardware
Powered by: XIAO ESP32S3 Sense
OpenGlass transforms any ordinary glasses into smart eyewear using affordable off-the-shelf components. It features a XIAO ESP32S3 Sense housed in a 3D-printed mount, alongside a compact Li-ion battery, enabling capabilities like life recording, people recognition, object identification, and text translation. These functions are powered by software that connects to Groq and OpenAI APIs. Fully open-source and the project supports community contributions. For more details check out our blog here.
Creator: Nik Shevchenko and Based Hardware
Powered by: XIAO nRF52840 Sense
Friend is an AI-powered voice recorder that captures conversations hands-free and transcribes them in real time. It uses onboard TinyML on the XIAO nRF52840 Sense to detect speech and sends audio via Bluetooth to a mobile app. There, Deepgram and OpenAI Whisper handle transcription, producing accurate, time-stamped summaries and task lists. Compact and energy-efficient, the device features a rechargeable battery and switch for daily wear. With an open-source design and step-by-step build guide, users can customize and contribute via GitHub. Check out our blog for more details.
Creator: Md. Khairul Alam
Powered by: XIAO ESP32S3 Sense
Third Eye is a vision-to-speech aid for visually impaired users, combining edge AI and object detection to describe surroundings through headphones. Using a custom-trained Edge Impulse model, the XIAO ESP32S3 Sense detects everyday objects and sends results via UART to a Raspberry Pi, which converts them to spoken feedback using Festival TTS. The setup includes Arduino library deployment, camera pin remapping, and speech-driven alerts like “chair on the left” or “bed ahead”—all optimized for low-cost accessibility. You can find the complete project details here.
Creator: Kutluhan Aktar
Powered by: XIAO nRF52840
Overexposure to sunlight can lead to serious health risks, from dehydration to skin cancer. This AI-enabled smartwatch measures UV Index, temperature, pressure, and altitude to predict sun damage risk—especially helpful for sensitive groups like children and the elderly. Built around our XIAO nRF52840 for BLE communication and AI inference, it uses an OLED display and microSD card for data visualization and logging. The goal? To warn users of harmful UV exposure before symptoms occur. Find the full build details here.
Creator: Alison Yang
Powered by: XIAO SAMD21
This beginner-friendly wearable project transforms earrings into glowing fashion statements using Seeed Studio XIAO SAMD21 microcontrollers and WS2813 LEDs. Inspired by MakeFashion and Geek Mom Projects, Alison Yang designed the earrings with seven LEDs per board, creatively soldered and programmed via Arduino IDE. The earrings are adorned with pink string accents and powered by a hidden power bank, making them ideal for parties or DIY showcases. Despite initial soldering challenges, the project emphasizes learning and creativity, with plans for future upgrades like dynamic color changes and improved lighting effects. Click here for full project details.
Creator: Arnov Sharma
Powered by: XIAO ESP32C3
This compact digital watch project repurposes a vintage Casio frame into a functional timekeeping device using the XIAO ESP32C3 and its expansion board. The setup includes a 0.96″ OLED screen for time display and an RTC module for persistent tracking, even when powered off. Housed in a 3D-printed holder, the components are powered by a 100mAh LiPo battery, making the watch lightweight and portable. The expansion board simplifies integration with built-in I2C connections, and the display is driven using libraries like Adafruit SSD1306 or u8g2. This project emphasizes simplicity and reuse, offering a great entry point for wearable tech enthusiasts. Check out the details here.
Start Building Wearables with XIAO
The Seeed Studio XIAO Series is built for wearable innovation—offering the right balance of size, power, connectivity, and extensibility. Whether you’re developing AI-driven accessories or assistive devices, XIAO’s compatibility with Edge Impulse, Arduino, BLE, and sensors makes prototyping faster and easier.
Explore More
Have a project idea or question? Reach out to us at [email protected]—we’re always excited to hear from makers and developers like you!
Other Reference Designs for Seeed Studio XIAO
Last but not least, for makers and developers who are looking for project inspirations, we’ve curated several similar project collections based on the applications. Feel free to check out to get inspired for your next builds.
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