Build a conversational AI companion device for $10
We built an open-source project Starmoon and are using affordable hardware components to bring AI characters to real-word objects like toys and plushies (or even your talking fridge). With voice to voice models sounding more and more human every day, a cool use-case would be to take the conversation away from screens and personify real-world objects. For our project we use an ESP32-S3 microcontroller with a mic and a mono-speaker to keep the cost at $10. We are fully open-sourcing our frontend, backend and firmware so you too can get started and create and customize your companion device.…
Build a conversational AI companion device for $10 launched on October 4, 2024 with 11 votes, #1,114 of 5,185 launches that month and more than 75% of that year's launches. The site was still online in September 2026, 2 years on.
In plain words
Starmoon is an open-source project that adds conversational AI to physical objects like toys, plushies, or household items using voice-based interaction. Built on an ESP32-S3 microcontroller with a microphone and speaker, the device costs approximately $10 to construct. Designed for makers and hobbyists, it lets users create customized AI companions by providing open-source firmware, backend, and frontend code. The system uses voice-to-voice AI models to enable natural spoken conversations without requiring a screen.
written from the facts on this page · September 2026
From the sources
A conversational, AI device + software framework for companionship, entertainment, education, healthcare, IoT applications, and DIY robotics. Built with Python, NextJS, Arduino, ESP32, LLMs (GPT-4o), Deepgram STT and Azure TTS 🤖 - StarmoonAI/Starmoon
In the maker’s words, at launch
We built an open-source project Starmoon and are using affordable hardware components to bring AI characters to real-word objects like toys and plushies (or even your talking fridge). With voice to voice models sounding more and more human every day, a cool use-case would be to take the conversation away from screens…
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Open-source real-time talk-to-AI wearable device for few $2024 · github.com · ▲1031. In the US, about 1/5 children are hospitalized each year that don’t have a caregiver. Caregiver such as play therapists and parents’ stress can also affect children's emotions. 2. Not everyone is good at making friends and not everyone has a BFF to talk to. Imagine you're having a hard time in life or at work, and you can't tell your parents or friends. So, we built an open-source project Starmoon and are using affordable hardware components to bring AI characters to real-word objects like toys and plushies to help people emotional growth. We believe this is a complement tool and it…
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