etzee: firmware testing board

This is the firmware testbed for the htoyto communication protocol, the same link that connects all etzee modules like the b11 keyboard halves, m0 force feedback knob, and m9 macro pad.

It’s built around two Nice!Nano v2 boards acting as origin and terminal nodes, mounted on proto boards and connected through magnetic edge connectors.

At the center is the bridge, a breakout that for now just simulates connection of real, live device module, and serves as pass thought to the terminal node.

Purpose

The goal of this rig is to validate firmware logic and handshake timing between htoyto nodes before committing to custom PCBs.

With it, we can:

• Test UART signaling and role detection
• Simulate hot-swap and disconnect events
• Iterate on firmware without touching production boards

Magnetic edge connectors

Each magnetic edge carries:

• TX, RX, and dR (device ready)
• Power and ground

The magnetic alignment makes repeated connection cycles effortless and precise, ideal for testing the htoyto handshake under real world conditions.

👉 GitHub repo

💬 Discord community

etzee: a modular magnetic keyboard ecosystem with a hacker spirit

Meet etzee, an open source experiment in rethinking what a keyboard can be.

Instead of being a single purpose input device, etzee is a modular ecosystem of keyboards, dials, displays, and haptic modules that connect through magnetic pogo connectors carrying both power and data.

At its core, etzee runs on ZMK and a custom interconnect protocol called htoyto (hello to you too), designed for daisy chained modules that automatically discover and communicate with each other.

Current work include:

b11 — a split Bluetooth enabled keyboard

m0 — a force feedback dial with a circular touch screen

m9 — a compact 3x3 macro pad with integrated display

Everything is open source and built for people who love to tinker, repair, and extend their tools.

Join the project, build your own modules, or help shape the next generation of input devices.

👉 GitHub repo

💬 Discord community

Wall-Mounted Arcade Concept: From Idea to Reality

Inspired by a recent brainstorming session, I've developed a concept for a wall-mounted arcade that combines nostalgia with modern design. Check out the quick render I've created to visualize this idea.

Would you like to see this concept evolve into a commercial project? Join me on this journey as we explore the potential of turning this idea into reality. Your feedback and support are invaluable as we shape the future of arcade gaming together.

Stay tuned for updates and let's make this vision a commercial success!