Building a Mechanical Seven Segment Display

The video introduces the concept of a seven-segment display. Unlike traditional displays reliant on power, the objective is to create a mechanical version that retains information without power.

The speaker discusses existing mechanical displays and their limitations, like manual input and complex control circuitry.

An attempt to design a display using magnets and the concept of 'flip dots'. The speaker explains the use of electromagnets and mechanical design challenges.

Detailed assembly of the flip dots, creation of custom PCBs, and solving wiring issues. The role of PCB manufacturing services is also highlighted.

After assembly, initial tests reveal wiring issues which are corrected using additional diodes. The display's functionality is confirmed.

The final display is demonstrated, showcasing its ability to be controlled via a hosted website. The ESP microcontroller enables different display modes.