The M5StickC Watch “NeckTimer” is a 2019 maker project that turns an M5StickC into a wearable meeting-time reminder. It gets the time over Wi-Fi, displays it on the device, and flashes a connected light during a configured warning window. It is a DIY prototype—not a ready-made timer—and the project does not provide enough electrical detail to treat its parts list as safe instructions for switching a room lamp.
What the NeckTimer does
The project is designed to make a meeting’s time limit visible without someone having to interrupt verbally. Its M5StickC displays the date and time, while a separate light provides the warning near a chosen end time. The original project, published by aNo研 on 29 September 2019, describes the build and its code on Hackster.io.
The example code sets 17:00 as its target and uses the first 30 seconds of that minute as the warning period. Those are configurable example values, not a claim that the timer measures meeting duration or automatically detects when a meeting begins.
How the timer and warning work
- Get the time: The code connects to Wi-Fi and requests time from the NTP server
ntp.nict.jp, using a UTC offset of nine hours. - Set the device clock: It writes the retrieved time and date to the M5StickC’s BM8563 real-time clock. M5Stack documents RTC access in its StickC system functions.
- Compare with the target: The code checks the RTC hour and minute against its configured target, 17:00 in the project example.
- Flash during the warning window: In the first 30 seconds of the target minute, the connected output flashes. The interval becomes shorter after seconds 15, 20 and 25, making the warning more urgent as the window progresses.
The project describes a relay switching lights. Its parts list names a Seeed Studio Grove Relay and a generic LED, but does not specify the exact relay model, load rating, full circuit, or mains wiring. Do not infer that the listed parts can safely switch a particular lamp or mains-powered load; check the exact components and use appropriately rated, safe hardware and wiring.
#1 Best Overall
- 4289 M5Stick-C IoT Development Kit with 2 Sensors + Watch Ac
Parts and model details
| Part | What the project or manufacturer establishes | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| M5StickC controller | The original M5StickC is an ESP32 development board. M5Stack’s library documentation lists a 0.96-inch TFT color display at 80 × 160 resolution and an 80 mAh battery: M5StickC Arduino Library. | Confirm that a listing is for the original M5StickC and assess its condition. M5Stack’s official store marks this development kit EOL: M5StickC product page. |
| Relay | The project names a Seeed Studio Grove Relay. | The project page does not state the exact relay model or rated load. Verify the ratings for the intended output. |
| Warning light | The parts list names a generic LED. | The project does not state the LED’s electrical specifications or give a complete circuit. |
| Wearable attachment | M5Stack describes a watch base and belt for the original device in its library documentation. | Check that the accessory fits the specific board being sourced. |
Choosing a wearable board or accessory
The original M5StickC should not be confused with the StickC-Plus Watch Kit. M5Stack’s documentation for that separate Plus kit lists a 230 × 22 × 6 mm strap weighing 12.3 g and a board measuring 48.0 × 24.0 × 13.5 mm; these are Plus-kit specifications, not measurements of the original M5StickC. See the StickC-Plus Watch Kit documentation.
A Plus or Plus2 board is not established by these sources as a drop-in replacement for the original project board. Before substituting a variant, verify code compatibility, pin mapping, and physical fit. The cited specifications do not demonstrate that a different board improves timer performance.
Quick Recap
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- 👫 [COMPATIBILITY] BoxWave Cable Compatible With M5Stack M5StickC PLUS ESP32-PICO Mini IoT Development Kit. The USB Expansion Adapter is an OTG (On The Go) Host Adapter that connects to the USB Type-C port on your device, and turns it into a powerful PRODUCTIVITY HUB! ⭐ *** PLEASE NOTE, M5STICKC PLUS ESP32-PICO MINI IOT DEVELOPMENT KIT DEVICE NOT INCLUDED ***
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Rank #3
- M5Stack Series Core Development of Experimental Proto Board suitable for ESP32 Basic Kit and Mpu9250 Kit for Arduino m5stack
Rank #2
- [Engineered for Stability] Redesigned with an optimized PCB layout and enhanced onboard power management. This upgraded physical architecture minimizes electrical noise, providing a highly stable hardware foundation for standard STEM educational projects.
- [Dual-Chip Hardware Architecture] Integrates standard Dual microchips onto a single physical expansion board. Designed to connect seamlessly via GPIO, allowing students and hobbyists to test basic IoT hardware configurations across different frequency bands.
- [Physical Isolation Switch] Equipped with a highly reliable hardware slide switch to mechanically toggle between the two chips. This purely physical design ensures zero data bus conflict, offering a straightforward hardware experience without complex manual wiring.
- [Precision Component Tuning] Features strictly impedance-matched antennas and high-quality passive components. It delivers consistent electrical signaling, making it an ideal teaching tool for learning basic radio frequency circuit principles.
- [Complete Educational Lab Kit] Comes ready to use with a custom 3D printed resin-style enclosure. Includes a secure backpack-style mounting system to protect the bare electronics during desktop laboratory experiments. (Note: StickC Plus 2 host unit is NOT included. This is a blank-canvas hardware accessory).
What to know before building
- Expect a prototype: NeckTimer is a DIY project from 2019, not a currently supported commercial meeting timer.
- Check the board carefully: The original M5StickC is marked EOL by M5Stack, so confirm model identity, condition, and availability before buying.
- Plan the output safely: The published parts list is not a complete light-switching circuit or mains-wiring guide. Confirm the relay’s specifications and use suitable electrical safety practices for your application.
- Account for dependencies: The example retrieves time over Wi-Fi before setting the RTC. The cited project does not establish how it behaves in every connectivity failure or long-term clock-drift scenario.
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