Inspiration
We wanted to explore a new way of communication beyond screens—something simple, tactile, and discreet. Inspired by Morse code and silent gestures, we created a system that lets you “tap” messages into existence.
What it does
Syen lets users send messages through surface taps or drawn gestures converted into Morse or binary, which are transmitted in real time to Telegram. It’s discreet, low-power, and works even without a conventional keyboard or screen.
How we built it
We combined an ESP32 microcontroller with an LSM6DSOX IMU to detect taps and gestures. The signals are parsed in C++/Arduino, translated into Morse or binary, then sent using a Telegram bot API via HTTPS, with real-time debugging over serial.
Challenges we ran into
We faced UART and I2C conflicts, noisy sensor data, timing thresholds for distinguishing dots and dashes, and network instability on microcontrollers. Gesture parsing was especially tricky due to drift and variable writing speed.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We successfully implemented real-time Morse-based messaging over Telegram and prototyped a binary gesture-based input system. We also optimized tap detection logic and integrated power-efficient networking—all on a compact, wearable platform.
What we learned
We dove deep into IMU signal processing, microcontroller networking, interrupt handling, and edge detection. We learned how to balance hardware constraints with clean, user-friendly communication logic.
What's next for Syen
We plan to support full alphabet gesture recognition, add encryption for secure communication, and expand into wearable form factors. Future integrations include satellite messaging for remote access, AI-assisted gesture prediction, location tagging, and Telegram group compatibility. We're also excited to explore how Syen can empower people with disabilities through alternative, touch-based communication systems.
Log in or sign up for Devpost to join the conversation.