I really wanted to do something different this coop term and put my free time to good use rather than playing Apex. After taking ECE 298 and ECE 224 I really got interested in low-level programming/firmware for embedded projects. I started brainstorming what I could create with my current knowledge while also learning a few new things and I stumbled across the idea of making a keypad/macro keyboard (I’ll be using these terms interchangably). Looking online it seems quite a bit of people have thought the same but my goal is a bit bigger. My goal is to have a few features:
- Wireless keypad with seamless bluetooth pairing.
- A good sized battery for long use between charges.
- 4x4 key matrix for lots of functionality.
- Battery saving features such as auto shut off or low power states to conserve battery charge.
- Bluetooth flashing for firmware via an easy to use flashing tool.
- GUI to easily configure the macros and key bindings.
- An on/off button.
- Use cherry MX switches.
- Design as much of the hardware and software as I can by myself with minimal external resources.
The Elgato streamdeck is around $200 CAD so the overall cost for development should definitely be well below that. I will be creating more posts soon updating my progress with development as well as all the tools I have to help me achieve this goal.