AI Just Built a Real-World Toy

Many of us remember Tamagotchis, those little digital pets that fit in your pocket. Today's Bitzee takes that concept further with interactive features reacting to touch, swipes, and tilts. Matthew Berman's son, like many kids, was captivated by these modern companions. The hitch? Each Bitzee costs around $40, and a child's desire for a collection quickly becomes an expensive proposition. This common parental dilemma sparked an idea: why not build a personalized version, much more affordably, right at home?

Berman's motivation wasn't just financial; it was deeply personal. He saw an opportunity to connect with his son through a hands-on project, teaching him about technology and design. Together, they could craft a unique digital pet, customizing its features and personality to precisely match his son's imagination. This collaborative approach transformed a simple toy into a shared learning experience, accessible even with modern development tools.

To bring this custom digital pet to life, Berman opted for a Raspberry Pi Pico development kit. What makes this choice brilliant for beginners is its "no-solder" design; you simply plug components together, eliminating a common hurdle for those new to electronics. This specific kit came equipped with essential interactive elements: a vibrant touchscreen for the pet's display, a small joystick for navigation, and several buttons for actions. It's a complete, ready-to-assemble package encouraging experimentation without specialized tools or expertise.

Matthew Berman didn't write lines of complex code for his custom Bitzee. Instead, he simply plugged his Raspberry Pi Pico development kit into his computer and opened OpenAI's Codex. His instruction was remarkably straightforward: a natural language prompt, "Build me a Bitzee." Codex then acted as the project's primary developer, translating that simple request into functional software for the Pico's touchscreen, buttons, and joystick.

Initial development yielded a very basic version of the digital pet. The real magic happened through constant iterations, driven directly by his son's feedback. Each playtime session provided new ideas, guiding Berman to request specific features and improvements from Codex, progressively evolving the pet from a simple concept to a cherished interactive toy.

This AI-assisted approach fundamentally shifts how we think about development. Instead of battling complex syntax or obscure APIs, Berman focused on the creative challenge: what features would make his son happiest? This enabled rapid prototyping and creative problem-solving, turning a $40 problem into a personalized, open-source solution built with a few simple prompts and a readily available development kit.

Okay, the first sections introduced the problem and how AI generated the initial code. Now, let's explore how Matthew Berman transformed that functional code into a real-world toy. This project beautifully illustrates the modern Maker Movement, where readily available hardware meets sophisticated AI tools.

Berman started with a Raspberry Pi Pico development kit, which is a fantastic low-cost microcontroller board featuring a dual-core Arm Cortex-M0+ processor and flexible I/O. This kit, complete with a touchscreen, buttons, and a joystick, required no soldering – just plug-and-play. You can learn more about these versatile boards here: Raspberry Pi Pico.

Combining this off-the-shelf hardware with OpenAI's Codex, Matthew and his son moved beyond a simple prototype. While the initial AI-generated version was functional, it needed refinement. They engaged in "a bunch of iterations," collaborating to design the pet's behavior and gameplay precisely to his son's desires.

This collaborative process is the real magic: it offers a level of personalized customization impossible with commercial toys. Currently, the functional aspects are complete, but the aesthetic design is not. Matthew plans to 3D print a custom "house" for the Bitzee, elevating it from a development board to a truly unique, beloved toy.

Next, Matthew Berman plans to 3D print a custom enclosure, or "house," for his Bitzee. This crucial step transforms the exposed Raspberry Pi Pico development kit into a durable, kid-friendly product, moving it from a functional prototype to a complete, polished toy. The goal is to create a robust shell that protects the internal electronics and enhances the overall aesthetic.

This final touch completes a powerful, modern workflow. AI, specifically OpenAI’s Codex, handled the complex software development, turning a natural language prompt into functional code. Accessible hardware, like the Raspberry Pi Pico with its pre-assembled touchscreen and joystick, provided the core functionality without requiring soldering. Now, 3D printing offers the final layer of customization for form and aesthetics.

Matthew's project beautifully illustrates the democratization of tech creation. Individuals can leverage sophisticated AI tools for software, combine them with affordable, off-the-shelf hardware, and then craft bespoke physical designs. This empowers makers to build the exact products they envision, moving beyond mass-produced items like the $40 Bitzee to create personalized, cost-effective alternatives.

What hardware was used in this DIY Tamagotchi project?

The project used a Raspberry Pi Pico development kit that included a touchscreen, buttons, and a joystick. The creator specifically chose a kit that required no soldering, making it beginner-friendly.

What AI tool was used to code the digital pet?

The project was coded using OpenAI's Codex, an AI assistant that can write and debug code based on natural language prompts like "Build me a Bitzee."

What is a Bitzee?

Bitzee is a modern interactive digital pet by Spin Master. It features a unique display that gives a 3D-like effect and allows kids to physically interact with their virtual pets.

Is this project accessible for beginners?

Yes. By using a no-solder hardware kit and an AI coding assistant, the project removes major barriers to entry, allowing creators to focus on design and functionality rather than complex soldering or coding syntax.