DriveKeys v5

This is the 5th iteration of DriveKeys, a collaboration project with Mike Hansen from Barbaric Mellons. Mike also designed my popular Prosthetic Breast model! This version of DriveKeys mounts to his chair exactly like the original factory setup, now with a sturdier, customized part. I used heat-pressed M5 brass inserts with M5 socket-cap bolts to secure it to Mike’s existing chair hardware, matching the rigidity of the original machined plastic with brass inserts.

For electronics, I set up a basic Adafruit Feather M0 wired to 6 Kailh Low Profile Choc Pink Switches, using the Arduino IDE to program a USB keyboard (source code here!). The keyboard is plug-and-play for Mike, but he can customize it by re-flashing to assign different hotkeys for specific tasks.

Printed in carbon fiber PET-G on my Prusa MINI, I sanded it down with 120-grit using an orbital sander (mask on!) for a polished finish. I recommend adding extra top/bottom layers and perimeters for a bit more material to work with during sanding.

I’m really pleased with how DriveKeys v5 turned out! If you or someone you know could benefit from something similar, especially if you don’t have access to a 3D printer, reach out at [email protected]—we’d love to help.

And if you're enjoying these projects, consider supporting me on Patreon to help keep the ideas and designs coming! patreon.com/oddinventor.