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Setup & Configuration

Getting Your HandShake System Running

This guide walks you through purchasing components, configuring the firmware, and getting everything paired and calibrated.

What You’ll Need

Hardware

  • Lilygo T-Watch S3 (~$60) - The wearable watch that detects movement
  • Lilygo T-Embed (~$40) - The receiver unit
  • USB cable (2x) - For flashing firmware

Both Lilygo devices are available from suppliers like:

Software

  • A web browser (for the configuration site)
  • USB drivers for ESP32 (usually automatic on Windows/Mac/Linux)

Step 1: Order Components

Go to LILYGO or your preferred supplier and order:

  1. Lilygo T-Watch S3 - search for “T-Watch S3”
  2. Lilygo T-Embed - search for “T-Embed”

Tip: Lilygo hardware is usually cheaper directly from their site, but shipping times vary. Check multiple suppliers.

Step 2: Configure Your Firmware - ** work in progress, the site needs documentation **

Visit handshaketec.com to configure your HandShake system.

On the configuration site, you’ll select:

  • Gesture algorithm: Choose “punch” or “roll”

    • Punch: Detects total acceleration across all axes (works for big movements)
    • Roll: Detects acceleration on a single axis (works for subtle movements)
    • Not sure? Start with punch and switch if needed

  • Sensitivity threshold: Start with the default, adjust during calibration

  • Feedback options: Audio, vibration

The site will generate firmware files ready to download.

Step 3: Flash the Firmware

For the T-Watch S3:

  1. Connect the T-Watch S3 to your computer via USB cable
  2. Go to handshaketec.com and select “Flash Firmware”
  3. Choose the watch firmware file you downloaded
  4. Click “Flash”
  5. Wait for completion (usually 30-60 seconds)
  6. Unplug the watch

For the T-Embed:

  1. Connect the T-Embed to your computer via USB cable
  2. Select the receiver firmware file
  3. Click “Flash”
  4. Wait for completion
  5. Unplug the device

If flashing fails:

  • Try a different USB cable (some are data-only, not power+data)
  • Make sure you have USB drivers installed
  • Try on a different computer

Step 4: Pairing Watch and Receiver

  1. Plug in the T-Embed receiver (keep it plugged in)
  2. Put on the T-Watch S3 (or hold it steady)
  3. Make a gesture with the watch (shake it or whatever your configured gesture is)
  4. The receiver should say ‘SHAKE’

For multiple watch/receiver pairs: Repeat this process for each pair. Each watch will only communicate with its paired receiver.

Step 5: Calibration

What You’ll Need

  • The person who will be using HandShake
  • The T-Embed in front of you (with receiver connected or with a computer nearby)
  • A few minutes to adjust settings

The Process

  1. Watch the movement: Have the user make their gesture
  2. Set the threshold:
    • Use the dial on the T-Embed to set the sensitivity
  3. Test it:
  4. Fine-tune:
    • If too many false positives: increase threshold (turn dial up)
    • If too many misses: decrease threshold (turn dial down)
    • Re-test after each adjustment
  5. Save settings:
    • Once calibrated, press and hold the T-Embed button for 2 seconds
    • The LED will flash to confirm settings are saved to the watch

Step 6: Connecting to AAC Software or Hardware

If you’re using Grid 3, Predictable, JABtalk, or any speech software:

  1. The T-Embed can be configured to send keyboard keystrokes
  2. Plug it into your computer via USB
  3. The software should recognize a keyboard press when you gesture
  4. In your AAC software settings, configure what that key press does

Troubleshooting

Watch and receiver won’t pair

  • Try unplugging the receiver and starting over
  • Make sure both devices have firmware flashed
  • Try a different USB cable
  • Check handshaketec.com for pairing issues

Gestures aren’t triggering

  • Re-check calibration (threshold might be too high)
  • Make sure you’re using the gesture you selected in firmware configuration
  • Try with the real user (sometimes gesture varies from person to person)
  • Check the watch is charged (low battery might affect accelerometer)

Software isn’t responding to triggers

  • Confirm the T-Embed is connected via USB to the computer
  • Check your AAC software has keyboard input enabled
  • Test keyboard manually (press a key on keyboard, does software respond?)
  • Try a different USB cable or computer

False positives (random triggers)

  • Increase the sensitivity threshold using the dial
  • Make sure the watch isn’t being bumped or jostled
  • Check the watch battery isn’t low

Software Updates

  • Check handshaketec.com occasionally for firmware updates
  • Updates are optional but might have bug fixes or new features

Next Steps

Still stuck? The configuration site at handshaketec.com has detailed troubleshooting guides, FAQ, and support options.