E Ink displays are one of the best options you have when making dashboards. One reason for that is its remarkably low power consumption. It can remain on for almost as long as you want without draining the battery. When combined with microcontrollers such as Raspberry Pi or ESP32, power savings get to another level altogether. This way, you get the benefit of an always-on display that delivers near real-time information, which can provide you with all the information while still having a respectable battery life.
This is exactly the approach that DIY enthusiast Max Pflaum adopted for his dashboard project. As XDA-Developers mentioned, the dashboard is designed to show information that includes a clock that is synchronized via NTP (Network Time Protocol) for the most accurate timekeeping, weather info that is fetched using OpenWeatherMap API, personal website view counter, and Pi-hole statistics. The project is based on Python and MicroPython for the ESP32.
The 128 x 296 resolution E Ink display may not be too expansive but is enough to carry all the information mentioned above. There aren’t any fancy graphics or anything of that sort, just the info you need. The e-paper display is also encased within a wooden frame, which gives it a refined yet contemporary look. It is like the perfect amalgamation of a classic design and a modern display technology that makes the entire thing look aesthetically pleasing yet highly functional. Programmed to provide updated information at a glance, it ensures effortless readability while maintaining a sophisticated appeal.
Max Pflaum has posted the details of the project on his blog as well as on GitHub. You can check these sites if you’d like to create your own version of the dashboard.