Main > Raspberry Pi & Dev Board

RPi Pico as a keyboard emulator.

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DaOld Man:
As the title says.
I have tried this and it works, but it does have some limitations.
It is max 26 inputs.
It should be good with a two player cabinet, joystick, six action buttons, start, and coin for each player.
That leaves 2 more, which I configured on my setup as ESCAPE and PAUSE.
I tested it by plugging it into my game PC (via USB).
I hooked a jumper wire to a ground terminal on the Pico, then touch each input with the jumper wire.
All inputs registered as keyboard presses.
Whats so hot about this? Price tag! 5 bucks on amazon.
I plan to test it in game play with my next build, which may be a while.
You will need to install circuit python and adafruit_hid on the Pico.

DaOld Man:
Thought Id add a very useful link to explain more.

https://learn.adafruit.com/diy-pico-mechanical-keyboard-with-fritzing-circuitpython/installing-circuitpython

Just follow the guide.
I didnt use MU, I used Thonny to write the code.
I also changed the code listed at the end with all the inputs to support a standard control panel.
Please let us know on here,  if you try this.

DaOld Man:
I could solder all the wires to the pico that I need, but I decide to order this adapter to give me screw terminals to connect wires to.
I still had to solder the 20 pin hearers to the pico, to allow it to plug into the adapter.
Adapter was around 8 bucks on amazon.
Soldering wires from all the switches probably would have been just as easy than buying the adapter board, but I figure if this doesnt work for an arcade keyboard emulator, I can still use the pico for any other projects.
The screws in the terminal strip are very small, the order came with a tiny screwdriver.
So if you use this board, and you lose the included screwdriver, you will need a very small screwdriver, such as precision or eye glass screwdrivers.




Here is a link to the board on amazon. Im not trying to sell these and gain no profit from them, just trying to help.
If this is not allowed please remove it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FBGQHJSM?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

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