A computer the size of a credit card is nothing new. There have been many single-board computers following the familiar dimensions. [Krauseler]’s credit card computer is different, though. It packs an ESP32-C3, e-paper display, NFC reader, and, incredibly, a Li-Po battery into a credit card form factor in three dimensions rather than two. That’s right, this computer is only 1mm thick.
To ensure perfect compliance with the form factor, the enclosure, if that’s what it can be called, is a real NFC card with the middle cut out to take the electronics. The PCB is flexible, and the battery is the thinnest available. The e-paper display is an ultra-thin, flexible variant. A display connector would have been too thick, so a very fine wire-and-solder job was required.
On its own, an ESP32-C3-based computer with an NFC reader and an e-paper display would be a pretty cool project, depending on what software was on it. This one, however, redefines the term “credit card-sized.”
It’s not the first piece of electronics we’ve seen that tries for the full credit card format, but it’s certainly the only one so far to slim down to 1 millimetre.
Thanks [Joey] for the tip!
Puts me in mind of that Time Trax TV series from the 90s. Main character had a “super computer” the size of a credit card that could project a hologram of an AI persona.
Guess we’re still a ways out from that. This is still a cool project though. Would make for pretty slick business card or trade show swag if it could include some other functions outside the NFC toolset.
I remember that show. Main character once put the credit card into an ][e floppy drive and manipulated all sorts of stuff with the AI’s help.
I remember the main character putting the credit card sized computer into a VHS Tape and projecting it’s contents to the windshield of the car he was sitting in.
I used to have a mini credit card sized “PDA” back in the late 80s/early 90s that stored phone numbers and notes. It had a little LCD screen that would show your data. I think it might have had a calculator too. Unfortunately, the pocket sized nature of it also came with the fragility of being in one’s pocket all day. Soon enough, the LCD cracked and it was unusable after that.
I remember those. They had those irritating tactile switches embedded into the card. Most of them had a little solar panel for power.
I did like them though…
I had a credit card sized phone a couple of decades ago: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_p300-pictures-1351.php and loved it. I’d take a modern version in a heartbeat.
What a beautiful aged ambitious design.
Does NFC have any even vaguely graceful provisions for handling multiple devices talking in close proximity?
Obviously we wouldn’t be talking screaming fast; especially if the only option is some ‘wait random time and retry in event of collision’/’everyone is only a reader or readable at any time half duplex only’ setup; but being able to do modular expansion by stacking several cards and having them wirelessly chatter amongst themselves would be pretty neat.