Graphically Programmable Arduino Shortcut Keypad

Well well well, things have changed up a bit in this project. It turns out that manufacturing can be kinda tricky! However, software can be distributed in seconds across the internet.

So what is really needed to solve all of your automation problems is a piece of hardware you already have which can be used to trigger computer automation via easily- distributed software.

...and as it happens,  the answer has been right under my fingertips (and yours too) all this time - it's the numeric keypad built into your keyboard (or a separate USB one if you like).

Oh yes, today I am launching Numpad Superpowers - a Windows application which allows you to to trigger drag-and-drop automation with your numeric keypad.

Even better, because it can be easily distributed, I am giving away the first 125 licenses for free! You can find out more and download it here: https://numpadsuperpowers.com/

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this - feel free to drop me an email at numpadsuperpowers@gmail.com if you have any comments or questions.

Happy automating!

Robin

Wow, I can't believe it - I've just made my first couple of sales of The Amazing Shortcut Keypad and it feels fantastic! It's taken 3 years and thousands of hours of work to get to this point but I'm delighted to now be able to offer keypads for sale.

There has been some small tweaks to the design recently - the EEPROM memory chip is now mounted on the surface of the PCB, making it quicker to build whilst costing less. 

First sale selfie!

I'm now inviting those who have been involved since the start to be the first owners of The Amazing Shortcut Keypad. This also lets me test the software and installation experience to ensure it all works as planned.

In the next couple of weeks I will be opening up the sales to others in the UK (my home country) and from then on, I will do the necessary testing to sell into the U.S.A.

I'm so excited, I can't believe that a project which started on my bedroom desk is now available to purchase. 

Please feel free to visit the website: https://theamazingshortcutkeypad.com/

... and feel free to get in touch! theamazingshortcutkeypad@gmail.com

Cheers!

Robin

I'm delighted to say that The Amazing Shortcut Keypad is now funding on Kickstarter. Check it out: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1311429775/the-amazing-shortcut-keypad

Exciting times, I have finished off the design for The Amazing Shortcut Keypad - it's done! So what has changed? Let's start with the finished circuit board:

This circuit board is much smaller than the original, meaning that the big gap at the back of the keypad is now gone. The blue/red one is the finished version whilst the orange/charcoal one is the old version with the big gap.

I have also redesigned the system of 3D prints which work as spacers within the keypad casing. It's now much easier to assemble the keypad as these 3D prints keep all of the electronic headers the correct distance apart during soldering.

The ones on the left are the old style whilst the ones on the right are the new style.

So this is the finished result, I'm very proud of it!

The keypad will be released completely open source following a crowdfunding campaign in June. If you're interested in that, feel free to join the crowdfunding mailing list at http://www.theamazingshortcutkeypad.com/

Bye for now!

Hey everyone, exciting times! The Amazing Shortcut Keypad seems to be doing well in the Hackaday Prize and I'm delighted at the response it has got. It's really positive to know that this is a project people are enthusiastic about so thank you ever so much for your support.

It has been my intention to do some demo videos with different pieces of software so I thought I'd start with everyone's favourite - Minecraft!

Here I have the keypad automatically mining whilst placing torches as it goes. It can mine forever, all with one button press! I also programme the keypad using the drag and drop software as I go so you can see how automation is created. Enjoy and I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Peace out!

Robin