keyboard powered by python

[Yihui]

Two month ago I made a hand-wired keyboard powered by Python (CircuitPython). After spending some time to improve the python keyboard,
it has similar features like TMK/QMK based keyboards now.



While, with python inside,  the keyboard has some unique features. When connected to a computer, it is not just a keyboard, but also a USB drive.
The python code is in the USB drive, which make it super easy to modify keyboard code and add a extension.
To configure the keyboard's keymap, we can just edit keyboard.py in the USB drive with any text editor.
For example, use d key as a Tap-key to activate navigation functions (similar to vim).



The keymap is:

Code: [Select]

L1D = LAYER_TAP(1, D)
KEYMAP = (
    # layer 0
    (
        ESC, 1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  9,  0, '-', '=', BACKSPACE,
        TAB,  Q,  W,  E,  R,  T,  Y,  U,  I,  O,  P, '[', ']', '|',
        CAPS,  A, S, L1D,  F,  G,  H,  J,  K,  L, ';', '"',       ENTER,
        LSHIFT,  Z,  X,  C,  V,  B,  N,  M, ',', '.', '/',       RSHIFT,
        LCTRL, LGUI, LALT,        SPACE,         RALT, MENU,  L1, RCTRL
    ),
    # layer 1
    (
        '`',  F1,  F2,  F3,  F4,  F5,  F6,  F7,  F8,  F9, F10, F11, F12, DEL,
        ___, ___, ___, ___, ___, ___, ___,PGUP, ___, ___, ___, ___, ___, ___,
        ___, ___, ___, ___, ___, ___,LEFT, UP,DOWN,RIGHT, ___, ___,      ___,
        ___, ___, ___, ___, ___, ___,PGDN, ___, ___, ___, ___,           ___,
        ___, ___, ___,                ___,               ___, ___, ___,  ___
    )
)
The project is at https://github.com/makerdiary/python-keyboard

As hand-wiring a keyboard is hard and is not for everyone, so I'm preparing a new keyboard pcb which will be powered by python.
What's your idea of a keyboard powered by python?

[suicidal_orange]

Being able to change the keymap anywhere there's a text editor sounds great

[Findecanor]

BTW. I see that you are also the ones selling the microcontroller board in this keyboard.
It looks similar to a Feather board, but the pinout is not compatible. Why did you choose not to? I haven't seen any requirement for a license fee.

[Yihui]

BTW. I see that you are also the ones selling the microcontroller board in this keyboard.
It looks similar to a Feather board, but the pinout is not compatible. Why did you choose not to? I haven't seen any requirement for a license fee.

Feather form factor is cool. However, when designing the board, Feather was not as popular as today. Besides, Feather is a little small to place three antennas (NFC/Bluetooth/WiFi).

[Yihui]

The design of the keyboard PCBA is finished.



It has modular design with nRF52840 M2 module and is hot-swappable.

[JCraftCables]

Cool! Who are you going to get to make the PCB?

[Yihui]

Cool! Who are you going to get to make the PCB?

As I'm in Shenzhen, finding a factory to make the PCB is quite easy.

[Yihui]

Have been tested the keyboard PCBA. It works well. With Python firmware, its latency is about 8 ms at the moment. It's OK for daily use.
While, there are a lot to improve.  Still working hard to decrease the latency and to improve power efficiency.
If you are interested, you can check our github repo https://github.com/makerdiary/python-keyboard,
you can also pre-order the keyboard PCBA at https://makerdiary.com/collections/frontpage/products/m60-mechanical-keyboard-pcba now.

[Yihui]

Working on reducing power consumption of the python keyboard. Right now, its current is 400 uA when Bluetooth is connected an no key is pressed.



When holding a key down, the current is 550 uA



It is not final result yet. With further optimizing, it can be better.

[-Jerry-]

This is really interesting, excited to see how the performance increases go:)

[AngryCoder]

I love that. But what are the benefits of the nRF52840 over ESP32? I will follow this project.

[Yihui]

I love that. But what are the benefits of the nRF52840 over ESP32? I will follow this project.

IMHO, using ESP32 on a keyboard is not a good idea, as ESP32 doesn't have USB and is power hungry。

[Yihui]

With further works, the power consumption of the keyboard is lower. 0.05mA in sleep mode. 0.16mA when bluetooth is connected.
With a 1200mAh battery, the keyboard can be standby for several months.