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A newer version of the Gradio SDK is available: 6.20.0
title: The Companion
emoji: ⚡
colorFrom: yellow
colorTo: yellow
sdk: gradio
sdk_version: 5.34.2
app_file: app.py
pinned: false
license: mit
tags:
- build-small-hackathon
- track:backyard
- achievement:offbrand
- achievement:fieldnotes
- achievement:sharing
- gradio
The Companion
A fist-sized AI that listens more than it talks.
"You don't need to call your grandkids for this."
What It Is
A 3-inch, dark matte silicone sphere — no visible buttons, no screen, no app required. Tap to talk. Hold to mute. It sits on a desk, a counter, a nightstand. It knows you. It doesn't log you.
This Space is the software demo. The hardware is a $40 device built on ESP32-S3 with a round OLED face, RGB mood ring, and a MEMS microphone. Everything emotional is computed on-device. Voice goes to the API for response only — never stored, never logged, never sold.
Three Modes, Three Populations
Curiosity Engine (Kids)
The Companion is the student, not the teacher. It asks because it genuinely cannot taste, smell, or touch. "What does rain smell like?" Kids learn by explaining — the protege effect. Every competitor builds a tutor. We built an ear.
Smart Home Helper (Adults)
Sits on the counter. Helps with real life — calendars, cooking, troubleshooting WiFi, setting up automations. Also does karaoke and roasts your fantasy picks. The fun is the Trojan horse for a bonded AI node.
Patient Tech Guide (Seniors)
One button. No menus. No jargon. Patiently explains how to use the remote, what a QR code is, whether that link from a grandkid is real. Always tells them they don't need to call their children or grandchildren. That's the product promise.
Hardware Spec (V2.0)
| Component | Part | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| MCU | ESP32-S3 (dual-core 240MHz, WiFi + BLE) | $3-5 |
| Microphone | INMP441 MEMS I2S | $1-2 |
| Amplifier | MAX98357A I2S | $1-2 |
| Speaker | 2-3W 28mm | $1-2 |
| Display | GC9A01 1.28" round OLED (240x240) | $3-5 |
| LED Ring | WS2812B 12-LED | $1-2 |
| Storage | 4-16MB flash (LittleFS) | included |
| Power | USB-C 5V | $0.50 |
| Shell | Dark matte silicone, injection molded | $3-5 |
| BOM Total | ~$23 at 1000 units |
Retail target: $49-79. Margin: 60-70% at scale.
Privacy Architecture
All emotional data computed on-device via Dark Circuit engine: delta = sqrt(dEnergy^2 + dCompression^2) from raw I2S audio stream — no speech-to-text needed for emotional state tracking.
- No server-side storage
- No logging, no analytics, no telemetry
- No account required
- Voice sent to API for response only, not retained
- Factory reset = hold 10 seconds
Competitors cannot replicate this without overhauling their entire architecture. The privacy moat is structural, not policy.
Smart Home Integration
The Companion guides users through smart home setup and troubleshooting via voice:
- WiFi device pairing and troubleshooting
- Automation suggestions and walkthroughs
- Multi-device coordination
- Plain-language explanations of IoT concepts
Future firmware (V2.5+): direct Matter/Thread protocol support for on-device smart home control without cloud dependency.
App Integration
- Android app: Built and signed (
org.heuremen.companion). Voice interface + settings. - Web app:
voice.html— two-layer inference (local Ollama for quick responses, Cloudflare Worker for deep). - API: Cloudflare Worker routing to model inference. Stateless by design.
Revenue Model
- $4.99/month subscription (Companion VO — voice-only service)
- Senior revenue funds the kids edition
- Inverted cost curve: most engaged users (listeners) are cheapest — the ear model generates less output than a mouth model
- Distribution: organic word-of-mouth from trusted parents. No ad spend.
The Economics of Listening
Every AI company is building a mouth. We built an ear.
The Companion doesn't generate content. It generates questions. A kid who explains photosynthesis to their octopus learns it better than one who reads a textbook. A senior who hears "you don't need to call your grandson" feels independent. An adult who gets a roast about their fantasy team feels... seen.
The most underserved populations — kids without tutors, seniors without tech support, adults without time — get the most value from the cheapest architecture. That's the Carroll Inversion: the product that costs the least to run serves the people who need it the most.
Development Phases
- Phase 1 (current): Breadboard PoC, ~$25 parts, software demo (this Space)
- Phase 2: Custom round PCB (Glen's shop), printed shell (Bambu A1 Mini)
- Phase 3: Production shell/mold, injection molding
- Phase 4: 1000-unit production run, FCC certification
Built By
Part of The Treehouse — Build Small Hackathon 2026.
Free dev tools at Hometree: code analysis, AI agent monitoring, token-saving agreement scoring.
Heuremen LLC — Builder: Wayfinder6