A YouTuber, Abe’s Projects, created a real-life Pokédex using ChatGPT, which can recognize Pokémon using a camera and AI analysis. Abe, an ex-Google engineer turned full-time YouTuber, was inspired by sci-fi gadgets and aimed to make a functional Pokédex with a robotic voice. Despite challenges like bugs, the final product impressed fans, even though it struggled with plushies. While not perfect, it outshines the original 1998 toy. Abe has no plans to sell the Pokédex, but fans appreciate the effort.
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In an email with Gizmodo, the YouTuber said:
“I’m a big fan of prop and replica makers who take ideas from media and recreate them aesthetically in real life, however these projects tend to be visual clones only and are largely non-functioning,” and “I liked the idea of doing the same thing, but focusing on the tech—can we really make this work?”
Haskins aimed to create a Pokédex resembling the anime, capable of recognizing Pokémon and featuring a robotic voice similar to the show's. They 3D-printed a red case housing components like a camera, speaker, and battery. ChatGPT-4 aided in Pokémon identification by analyzing images against a Pokémon database. AI also replicated Nick Stellate's voice, though not perfectly. Despite challenges like screen bugs, the homemade Pokédex impressively identified action figures and online images. It surpasses the original 1998 toy, lacking a camera. While not flawless, it garnered praise from fans, despite Haskins not planning to sell it.
“My goal is to inspire people to tackle their own projects, not simply buy mine—that’s no fun,” Haskins the YouTuber also said.
