Keyboard Builders' Digest / Tips & Tricks

SmartKnob

SmartKnob is an open-source input device with software-configurable endstops and virtual detents – designed by Scott Bezek.

KBD.news
Published April 18, 2022

A brushless gimbal motor is paired with a magnetic encoder to provide closed-loop torque feedback control, making it possible to dynamically create and adjust the feel of detents and endstops.

Internally, everything is powered by an ESP32, with a TMC6300 BLDC motor driver, HX711 strain gauge ADC, VEML7700 ambient light sensor, and more! – Scott Bezek.

Check out this demo:

Since you can't feel the detents through the video, Scott suggests you to turn up the volume so you can at least hear them, particularly the fine-grained detents toward the end of the video.

The best thing? It's open-source/open/hardware:

https://github.com/scottbez1/smartknob

Published on Mon 18th Apr 2022. Featured in KBD #74 (source).

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