Revitalize Vintage Tech: 5 Creative ESP32 Projects to Tackle This Weekend (Sept 11)

Don’t let your old gadgets gather dust in a drawer—revive them using an affordable microcontroller and some programming skills. The ESP32 is an excellent choice for such projects.

While some of these undertakings may be intricate, you’ll acquire valuable knowledge throughout the process and gain confidence to tackle even more complex projects in the future.

The RotaryCell Desk Telephone Transformation

A project that requires time but is rewarding

Many people might have an old rotary telephone tucked away, and for those who don’t, they can often be sourced easily from thrift shops or online marketplaces. The RotaryCell project allows you to convert these vintage devices into portable, functional cell phones.

An interesting aspect of this endeavor is its reversibility, meaning you can complete the conversion without permanently damaging the phone. This project uses a compatible rotary phone, a LilyGO T-A7670G-S3 board paired with an A7670 modem, Silvertel AC1171-S subscriber interface, audio and carrier PCBs, an antenna, and a power source.

Although it’s more than a simple weekend task, comprehensive documentation is available to help you through the build. Once complete, you can make calls wherever there is cell coverage—even enjoy a classic dial tone!

reSpeaker: Upgrade for iPod Docks and Older Speakers

Transform your speakers into smart devices

iPod docks enjoyed immense popularity, but since Apple discontinued the specialized connector and portable hard drives lost favor, many of these docks have become obsolete. They can easily be upgraded into smart speakers, enhancing their usability in a modern smart home environment.

The reSpeaker Lite features a dual-mic array, an ESP32-S3, an integrated audio processor, and output capabilities. This development kit for voice assistants can recognize wake words, process audio, send it for further processing, and even play back through an attached speaker.

With some creativity and technical skills, you can convert nearly any speaker system into a smart or Bluetooth-enabled device. If your preferred speaker has an auxiliary input, it’s merely a matter of choosing the correct cable. For those with older iPod Docks featuring the proprietary connector, a budget-friendly 30-pin adapter will do the trick.

BlueRetro: Modern Controllers for Classic Consoles

No need to hunt for period-appropriate controllers

While collecting vintage gaming systems can be exciting, keeping them operational is another challenge—particularly with retro controllers, which often wear out over time. Modern gaming technology has moved towards drift-resistant Hall effect controllers, but there is limited support for older models.

Thanks to BlueRetro, you can now use modern Bluetooth controllers with classic consoles, enhancing both reliability and comfort. Although the project has been archived, the firmware remains available, complemented by a thorough user manual that provides guidance on building your own BlueRetro units using the ESP32, complete with wiring diagrams.

You can visit the BlueRetro GitHub page to explore vendors selling ready-made devices and discover branches that have forked from BlueRetro for continued development.

SerialChiller: Wireless Converter for RS232 Devices

Bringing new interfaces to older technologies

SerialChiller is a clever name for a project that functions as a wireless adapter to convert RS-232 devices—also known as serial ports. Once a common interface for a variety of hardware, including modems and peripherals, RS-232 has largely been replaced by USB, but many devices still use it.

The SerialChiller project aims to help users get these legacy devices back in action, all while providing a comprehensive web-based interface instead of just a basic wireless connection.

Some expertise is necessary for utilizing this technology. One example of its application is the DuinoDCX, a wireless controller designed for the Behringer DCX2496 performance management system.

While ESP32 microcontrollers are fantastic for revamping old technologies, the Raspberry Pi also offers impressive capabilities for revitalizing retro computers and various hardware.