Project Hub /Basic Analog & Power Electronics/DIY Smart Glasses with Built-In Phone using Raspberry Pi

Intermediate

RASPBERRY PI

Project Specific

3 – 6 Hours

Partial Kit

DIY Smart Glasses with Built-In Phone using Raspberry Pi

Build your own smart glasses powered by a Raspberry Pi featuring a built-in phone capability, transparent OLED display, and eye blink sensors to handle calls hands-free.

Originally published on ElectronicsForU

View original tutorial

Parts You'll Need

This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.

Raspberry Pi 3 - Model B+ 1.4Ghz 64-bit quad-core Processor with 1 GB Ram (Original) Rs. 9,810.00
0.96 Inch I2C/IIC 4pin OLED Display Module White Rs. 349.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

We don't carry yet: SD / MicroSD Card
GSM / GPRS SIM800L
EEPROM / Memory IC
Eye Blink Sensor

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How It Works

This wearable smart glasses system integrates computing, telecommunications, and optical display technologies into a compact form factor powered by a Raspberry Pi 5. The core processing unit runs Raspberry Pi OS and executes a custom Python script utilizing the gsmHat python library to manage cellular operations. For telecommunication functionality, a SIM800L GSM Module or GSM HAT interfaces with the Raspberry Pi, enabling the device to receive and place phone calls or handle text messages over cellular networks. Visual output is delivered via a Transparent OLED Display mounted directly in the user's field of view, allowing system notifications and caller information to be read without obstructing normal sight. To achieve hands-free operation, an eye blink sensor monitors the user's blinking patterns, sending digital or analog signals back to the Raspberry Pi to trigger specific software routines—such as answering or declining an incoming call based on distinct blink gestures. The entire system is anchored to a standard eyeglasses frame and driven by a stable 5V Power Supply, with the operating system and scripts stored on an SD Card. Connecting wires distribute power and data signals among the components, creating a cohesive wearable communication device.

Why Build This

Develop practical undergraduate-level engineering experience in integrating embedded Linux systems with cellular hardware and wearable optics.

Implement gesture-based user interaction by combining sensor data acquisition with custom Python software logic for hands-free control.

Design and prototype a functional portable communication device powered by a 5V supply and housed within a constrained physical framework like an eyeglasses frame.

Real-World Application

Hands-free communication and notification reading while driving or performing tasks without needing to hold a mobile phone.

Skills You'll Learn

Embedded Python programming

cellular module communication

wearable hardware integration

sensor data acquisition

power distribution management

display interface configuration

Safety Precautions

No specific precautions noted for this build — always follow general electronics safety practices.

Technology Tags

PYTHON

RASPBERRY PI

SIM800L

GSM

OLED DISPLAY

EYE BLINK SENSOR

WEARABLES

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the eye blink sensor control phone calls without buttons?

The eye blink sensor detects changes in light reflection or movement associated with a blink, translating that physical motion into an electrical signal that the Raspberry Pi interprets via Python code to execute commands like answering a call.

Can I use any standard SIM card with the SIM800L module?

The SIM800L module typically requires a 2G cellular network band and a standard-sized SIM card, so you must verify local carrier compatibility before attempting to make phone calls.

How is power supplied to the Raspberry Pi and the GSM module while wearing the glasses?

The system relies on a portable 5V power supply, such as a compact USB battery bank or dedicated wearable battery pack, wired appropriately to distribute current to both the Raspberry Pi 5 and the power-demanding GSM HAT.

Gallery

This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.

Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.

PRJ-00689