In the quiet moments before sleep, many find their minds racing with ideas and thoughts. Traditionally, reaching for a phone to jot these down can disrupt the transition to rest. Enter the 'Thought Catcher,' a screenless device designed to capture these fleeting moments of inspiration without the need for a smartphone.
Developed by Ansh Trivedi, the Thought Catcher is a DIY project that utilizes a Raspberry Pi to create a bedside device capable of recording thoughts through voice commands. When an idea strikes, users can press a button on the device and speak their thoughts aloud. The device then transcribes the speech using the AI-powered Whisper.cpp service and uploads the transcription to Notion, a popular note-taking application. A confirming beep notifies the user that the process is complete.
This setup offers a significant advantage: it eliminates the need to reach for a phone, thereby reducing potential distractions that could interfere with sleep. The next morning, users can access their recorded thoughts in Notion, organized into categories such as 'idea,' 'task,' or 'note.' Each entry includes a concise title, relevant keywords, a timestamp indicating when the note was captured, and, for tasks, an assigned urgency level.
Constructing the Thought Catcher requires some technical know-how. Beyond the Raspberry Pi, the project involves integrating a physical button, a microphone, and a buzzer. Programming is done using Python to configure the device's functionality. While Trivedi has not yet released comprehensive instructions for building the device, he has expressed willingness to share the details if there is sufficient interest.
This innovative approach to capturing thoughts offers a practical solution for those looking to record ideas without the temptation of screen time before bed. By leveraging accessible technology like the Raspberry Pi and integrating it with tools such as Notion, the Thought Catcher exemplifies how DIY projects can enhance daily routines and productivity.
For more information and updates on the Thought Catcher, you can visit Ansh Trivedi's blog.
Note: The Thought Catcher is a DIY project and may require technical skills to assemble and configure.