Build Your Own Muse Gadget with the Open Source SDK
Muse Gadgets is an open source kit that lets you build your own hardware for your muse, using an inexpensive circuit board or a spare Raspberry Pi.
What it does
A gadget gives your muse a physical place in the room: a small screen that shows a morning briefing, a button you press to talk, a status light, or a sensor that reports back. The kit ships in two forms. One runs on ESP32 boards, the small low-cost boards hobbyists use, and can drive screens, sound, and sensors. The other runs on Linux, so a spare Raspberry Pi becomes a gadget your muse can send commands to. The software is free and open source, published under the Apache 2.0 license, and example builds include a round touch screen with push-to-talk, a pocket-sized stick device, and a color e-ink display for a daily briefing. Each gadget pairs with the Muse app once you turn on Developer mode and give it a token from the Muse Gadgets site.
How to use it
- Pick a supported board or a spare Raspberry Pi, and buy the board yourself if you do not already own one.
- Get a token from the Muse Gadgets site, under the SDK token settings.
- Follow the kit instructions for your board to load the software onto it.
- In the Muse app, turn on Developer mode under Settings, then Devices, and pair your gadget.
- Start with one simple job, such as showing a morning briefing or lighting a status light, and live with it for a week before adding more.
What you need
- A Muse account
- A supported ESP32 board or a Raspberry Pi or similar Linux computer
- A token from the Muse Gadgets site
- Comfort with step-by-step hobby electronics instructions, or a friend who has it
What to watch for
- This is a maker project, not a finished product. The kit is offered as-is for personal use, boards can be bricked by a bad load, and board warranties can be voided. Budget for the chance that the first board is a learning cost.
- Keep the token private. It is what pairs your gadget to your muse, so treat it like a password and never post it in a forum or a photo.
- Start small and safe. A desk display or a light is a good first build. Locks, heaters, and anything safety-critical are not.
- If building is not for you, that is fine. The ready-made Muse Home Link covers the home network side without any building at all.