Illuminating the sky’s hidden data. Track flights, space stations, and the weather beautifully.
What is it?
Designed to be as unobtrusive as a clock, The Dotbox lets you see at a glance which planes are nearby, along with their make, model, and route.
This new design brings a full set of features, including:
- ✈️ Live Flight Tracking with detailed plane information
- 🛰️ Real-time overhead position of the International Space Station
- 🌤️ Local Weather Forecasts with rain and temperature updates
Current Status
7th November 2025
The prototypes are now out in the wild with the beta-testers!
Check out the blog to see how the project is progressing:
How much will it cost?
I’m working really hard to keep costs as low as possible. I can’t confirm an exact price just now this is coming in at a fraction of the price of building your own. The cool thing is it also feels like a far superior product.
When will it be ready?
Soon! I’m aiming for Christmas 2025. That said this is a one-person project, self-funded and built alongside full-time work and family life. Timelines may will shift, so thanks in advance for your patience.
How can I get one?
I’m going to put together a newsletter for updates about the project and as soon as it’s available for purchase you’ll be the first to know.
Can I build my own?
You sure can! I’ve put together a guide on how to build your own using a Raspberry Pi. There’s a build guide at the official repo and more information on my blog:
Hi. I’m Colin Waddell and I run Pixels and Bits. I am a Glasgow based embedded electronics and software engineer who makes stuff that goes into space. When I’m not earning my keep, I use what I know to play with the world.