# Pocket push-to-talk translator, voice notebook and computer remote

Leon Furze reprogrammed the Cardputer's keyboard, microphone, speaker and display into a push-to-talk assistant, English/French translator, voice notebook and terminal. The Mac mini handles transcription and responses.

## Hardware
M5Stack Cardputer ADV + Mac mini

The pocket keyboard, microphone, speaker and screen become a push-to-talk terminal.

## Shopping list

Host permissions are broad; spoken confirmation is not an authorization boundary. The creator reset the experimental device afterwards.

Quantities are for one build. Unless marked source-specified, they are planning quantities; confirm kit contents and the chosen configuration before ordering.

### Confirm before buying
- The Mac mini generation and memory are not disclosed.

### 1 × M5Stack Cardputer ADV
- Requirement: Required
- Quantity basis: Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration
- Purpose: Handheld voice interface.
- Notes: ADV uses TCA8418 keyboard control and ES8311 audio; original Cardputer drivers are not interchangeable.
- Destination: https://shop.m5stack.com/products/m5stack-cardputer-adv-version-esp32-s3
- Match: Product page
- Link review: Page checked; stock not assessed
- Evidence: Creator source
- Source: https://leonfurze.com/2026/06/25/building-a-voice-assistant-with-claude-code
- Source: https://github.com/lfurze/cardputer-voice-assistant

### 1 × Mac mini
- Requirement: Required
- Quantity basis: Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration
- Purpose: Speech and agent host.
- Notes: Exact generation/RAM not disclosed; the experiment runs host services on macOS.
- Sourcing: No exact purchase link verified; confirm the model and requirements above before ordering.
- Evidence: Creator source
- Source: https://leonfurze.com/2026/06/25/building-a-voice-assistant-with-claude-code
- Source: https://github.com/lfurze/cardputer-voice-assistant

### 1 × USB-C data cable
- Requirement: Required
- Quantity basis: Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration
- Purpose: Connect to the computer for programming or data.
- Notes: A charge-only cable cannot flash firmware. Example requires a USB-A host port. If your computer has only USB-C, use an appropriate USB-C data cable instead. Reuse the device’s included cable where possible; this is not a standalone power-supply recommendation.
- Destination: https://www.adafruit.com/product/4474
- Match: Accessory example: USB-A to USB-C, 1 m, data capable
- Link review: Page checked; stock not assessed
- Evidence: Setup requirement — check against your configuration
- Source: https://leonfurze.com/2026/06/25/building-a-voice-assistant-with-claude-code
- Source: https://github.com/lfurze/cardputer-voice-assistant
- Source: https://www.adafruit.com/product/4474

### Existing × 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network
- Requirement: Required
- Quantity basis: Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration
- Purpose: Connect handheld to host.
- Sourcing: Use existing equipment or match the specification above. No exact purchase link verified.
- Evidence: Setup requirement — check against your configuration
- Source: https://leonfurze.com/2026/06/25/building-a-voice-assistant-with-claude-code
- Source: https://github.com/lfurze/cardputer-voice-assistant

### Built in × Built-in microphone, speaker and keyboard
- Requirement: Included
- Quantity basis: Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration
- Purpose: Voice and text I/O.
- Notes: Do not buy separate audio modules or a keyboard.
- Sourcing: Built in or supplied with the stated device; check package contents before buying separately.
- Evidence: Creator source
- Source: https://leonfurze.com/2026/06/25/building-a-voice-assistant-with-claude-code
- Source: https://github.com/lfurze/cardputer-voice-assistant

### 1 × Device power supply
- Requirement: Required
- Quantity basis: Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration
- Purpose: Power the device.
- Notes: Reuse the Mac mini supply and handheld charging arrangement.
- Sourcing: Use existing equipment or match the specification above. No exact purchase link verified.
- Evidence: Setup requirement — check against your configuration
- Source: https://leonfurze.com/2026/06/25/building-a-voice-assistant-with-claude-code
- Source: https://github.com/lfurze/cardputer-voice-assistant

Source reviewed, not assembled or hands-on tested. A working product page does not confirm stock, firmware compatibility or a complete build.

## Setup
Device firmware

## Coding tool
Claude Code

## How the agent helped
First-person article explicitly states: 'The whole thing was built end-to-end in live sessions with Claude Code'; explains device execution workbench, audio streaming, flashing, iteration and failures.

## Before you build
Advanced setup with a separate Mac mini. The agent has broad host access; spoken confirmation is prompt-based, not a security boundary. The creator reset the device after the experiment.

## Sources
- Original build: https://leonfurze.com/2026/06/25/building-a-voice-assistant-with-claude-code
- Supporting source: https://github.com/lfurze/cardputer-voice-assistant

Source reviewed 2026-11-04. Not hands-on tested.