Arnov Sharma
One of the most iconic pieces of technology in the Fallout universe is the PipBoy. It’s essentially a wearable computer strapped to the player's arm, kind of like an extremely oversized, post-apocalyptic Apple Watch.
Throughout the games, the Pip-Boy is used for almost everything: keeping track of inventory, checking character stats, managing perks, viewing maps and quests, and even listening to radio stations.
As a Fallout fan, I’ve always wanted to build some of the technology from the games. I previously made a Fallout-inspired terminal, so naturally, the next project I wanted to take on was a Pip-Boy.
However, I didn’t want to simply recreate one of the existing Pip-Boy models from the games. Instead, I wanted to design my own version while still following the design language and aesthetic that makes the Pip-Boy instantly recognizable.
I also wanted this to be more than just a wearable prop. The goal was to make a fully functional Pip-Boy, with a user interface that stays as close to the games as possible while adding some of my own features and ideas.
This article covers the complete build process, from the initial hardware and 3D design to the electronics, software, finishing, and final assembly.
MATERIALS REQUIRED
These were the materials required for this project.
- Waveshare ESP32 P4 4.3-inch Dev Board
- Power Source—3.7V 2000mAh Li-ion cell
- 3D Printed Parts
- Slide Switch
- M2 screws
- M3 Threaded Inserts
- M3 Bolts
- M6 Nut
- M6 Thumb bolt
- Automotive filler
- Sandpapers
- Spray paint
- Spray primer
- Hyper PLA x 2 Rolls for all parts
- Patience and Time
FALLOUT - PIPBOY
The Pip-Boy is a fictional wearable computer from the Fallout universe (It's like a CyberDeck on the wrist or an Apple Watch but bigger and bulkier) worn on the player character’s arm. It acts as an all-in-one personal computer, helping the player manage different aspects of their journey through the wasteland.
Depending on the game and Pip-Boy model, it can display character statistics, health and limb conditions, inventory, perks, maps, quests, radio stations, and other information. It essentially works as the player's main interface for interacting with their character and the world around them.
Across the different games, we’ve seen several versions of the device, including the Pip-Boy 2000, Pip-Boy 3000, Pip-Boy 3000 Mark II, and the Pip-Boy 4.0 seen in Fallout 76. While each version has its own design and features, they all serve the same basic purpose, which is to act as a wearable computer for the player.
Personally, I’ve always liked the look of the Fallout: New Vegas Pip-Boy 3000, and it became the biggest inspiration for this project.
HARDWARE- ESP32-P4-WIFI6 4.3-inch DEV BOARD
For the main hardware, or the Brain of this project, I chose the Waveshare ESP32-P4-WIFI6-Touch-LCD-4.3 development board.
There were a couple of reasons why I went with this particular board. The first was the built-in 4.3-inch 480 × 800 capacitive touchscreen, which was almost perfect for the Pip-Boy interface. Having the display and touch hardware already integrated also made the overall design much simpler.
The second, and probably more important reason, was the ESP32-P4 itself. It’s one of Espressif’s high-performance ESP32 chips, featuring a dual-core RISC-V processor running at up to 400 MHz, along with AI and DSP instruction extensions, a floating-point unit, dedicated multimedia hardware, and a much more capable memory and peripheral system than the ESP32 boards I’ve traditionally worked with.
For this project, that extra processing power was particularly useful because I wanted the Pip-Boy to handle a fairly graphical user interface, animations, audio, touch interaction, and media playback. The board also includes an ESP32-C6 wireless co-processor, giving the setup Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5 capabilities.
https://docs.waveshare.com/ESP32-P4-WIFI6-Touch-LCD-4.3
Another thing that made working with this board easier was the documentation. Waveshare...
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