A keyboard and a mouse are great tools for navigating your computer, but they require you to stay near your computer. In this project, you can build a wireless BLE controller with common shortcuts programmed for controlling your streaming apps and yes it can even play Doom!

The rotary encoder / scroll wheel controller is housed in a 3D printed case. The case has holes at the top so that it can be used as a pendant. This way, you won't lose it, you can access it quickly and you can show off your fashion sense by showcasing the aesthetically pleasing ANO Directional Navigation and Scroll Wheel Rotary Encoder.

The brain of the project is a Feather nRF52840 running CircuitPython. This board has BLE so you can connect to your computer wirelessly.

The control interface is an ANO Directional Navigation and Scroll Wheel Rotary Encoder. This lets you have a lot of interface options in a small and ergonomic footprint.

There are two switches in the circuit. The switch on the bottom is an on/off switch. The switch on the side is a mode switch to select between streaming mode or Doom mode. Each mode has different keyboard shortcuts that are assigned to the rotary encoder's buttons and scroll wheel.

Prerequisite Guides

Parts

Angled shot of a Adafruit Feather nRF52840 Express.
The Adafruit Feather nRF52840 Express is the new Feather family member with Bluetooth Low Energy and native USB support featuring the nRF52840!  It's...
$24.95
In Stock
Angled shot of ANM rotary encoder.
This funky user interface element is reminiscent of the original clicking scroll wheel interface...
$8.95
In Stock
Video of Rotary Navigation Encoder Breakout soldered and assembled on a breadboard with a NeoPixel ring and Feather M4. A white hand touches the rotary knob, lighting up NeoPixel LEDs.
The ANO rotary encoder wheel is a funky user interface element is reminiscent of the
$1.50
In Stock
Breadboard-friendly SPDT Slide Switch
These nice switches are perfect for use with breadboard and perfboard projects. They have 0.1" spacing and snap in nicely into a solderless breadboard. They're easy to switch...
Out of Stock
Angled shot of a Lithium Ion Polymer Battery 3.7V 500mAh with JST-PH connector.
Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This...
$7.95
In Stock
Angled shot of a Header Kit for Feather - 12-pin and 16-pin Female Header Set.
These two Female Headers alone are, well, lonely. But pair them with any of our 
$0.95
In Stock

This guide was first published on Apr 13, 2022. It was last updated on Apr 13, 2022.

This page (Overview) was last updated on Apr 08, 2022.

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