TiltBox Voice A

TiltBox

Latest version: TiltBox Voice

The custom ESP32-S3 PCB version adds a bottom-facing microphone and voice-generated games while retaining the 8×8 LED grid and the walnut enclosure style.

• Hardware, assembly and validation status
• Printable STL files and laser-cut DXF files
• KiCad PCB and schematics
• JLCPCB Gerbers, BOM and placement files
• Latest firmware source and flashing instructions
• Prebuilt Voice B firmware, 9 October 2026
• Self-hosted voice service and dashboard
• Publication checks and version provenance

Hardware: electronics A.3, enclosure A.4, manufacturing package A.5. Software: Voice B (9 October 2026), for the same Voice A PCB; this is not a new PCB revision. Publication snapshot: 26 October 2026.

These are prototype files, not a claim of production certification. See the hardware notes for completed checks and outstanding electrical tests. Do not use the original ESP32-C3 firmware or its wiring instructions for the Voice PCB.

Original TiltBox (ESP32-C3 / separate modules)

The original files below remain available unchanged. The root main/, CMakeLists.txt, sdkconfig and the older files directly in hardware/ belong to this original version, not TiltBox Voice.

A handheld retro game console with tilt controls, featuring 9 games on an 8x8 LED matrix. Designed at Maakleerplek.

Bill of Materials

Wiring

WS2812 LED Matrix

ADXL345 Accelerometer (I2C)

Build Instructions

1. 3D Printing

Print the enclosure parts in black PLA:

• tilt_box.stl - Main enclosure body
• tilt box grid.stl - Grid overlay

Open in Onshape

2. Laser Cutting

Cut the following from the wood and plexi.dxf file:

• Walnut wood (3.2mm thickness): Front frame
• Clear acrylic/plexi: Screen cover

3. Soldering

Solder the components according to the wiring diagram:

4. Screen Assembly

The LED matrix needs a diffuser layer to blend the individual LEDs into a smooth display:

• Diffuser: Use a white plastic bag or similar translucent material between the LED matrix and the plexi cover
• Optional darkening: Adding a dark PVC film (e.g. available at Lukas Creative) provides additional darkness to the screen, improving contrast

5. Final Assembly

1. Insert the M3x5x7 threaded inserts into the 3D printed enclosure using a soldering iron
2. Mount all electronics inside the enclosure
3. Stack the layers: LED matrix -> diffuser -> (optional dark film) -> plexi -> walnut frame
4. Secure with M3x6mm screws (front) and M3x12mm screws (back)

Games

Switch between games by flipping the board upside down.

1. Maze

Navigate a ball through a randomly generated maze. Tilt to move the yellow ball to the red goal. A rainbow animation plays when you win.

2. Ball Trail

A simple ball that leaves a fading trail as it moves. Tilt to control direction.

3. Glow Ball

A glowing ball with a smooth gradient effect that follows your tilt movements.

4. Snake

Classic snake game. Tilt to change direction and eat the red food to grow. Don't hit yourself!

5. Breakout

Break the colored bricks at the top with a bouncing ball. Tilt left/right to move the paddle.

6. Dodge

Avoid falling obstacles. Tilt left/right to move your player at the bottom. Score increases as obstacles pass.

7. Scroll Text

Displays scrolling text: "maakleerplek"

8. Animation

Cycles through animated patterns:

• Spiral rainbow
• Wave
• Rainbow gradient

9. Tetris

Classic falling block game. Tilt left/right to move pieces, tilt forward to rotate, tilt backward for fast drop.

Building and Flashing

Requires ESP-IDF v4.3+.

# Source ESP-IDF environment
source ~/esp/esp-idf/export.sh

# Build
idf.py build

# Flash
idf.py flash

# Monitor serial output
idf.py monitor

Controls

• Tilt: Move/control in all games
• Flip board: Switch to next game
• Keep level during startup: Calibrates the accelerometer

Display Format

The WS2812 LEDs use GRB color format. Pixels are addressed row by row, 0-63.