The hardware secrets behind the GitHub Universe badge

by Martin Woodward

In this GitHub Podcast clip, Martin Woodward discusses the hardware decisions behind the badge, including its display, processor, battery safety, and orientation sensing.

From prototype to wearable computer

The GitHub Universe badge began with e-ink prototypes built with Pimoroni and evolved into a portable computer capable of running Doom. The hardware journey included a move to full-color screens powered by the RP2040 chip.

Woodward also discusses battery safety challenges the hardware team had to solve as part of that development.

Making the display readable while worn

An accelerometer lets the badge automatically rotate its display by 180 degrees when an attendee looks down at it. This makes the screen readable from the wearer’s perspective without having to remove or manually turn the badge.