R1 Gamepad

Details

Prototype cost

I decided to create this section so that those who will do the same with their projects will know how much it costs.
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3d printed case (2 pcs) - v1 - just to get idea about general size of the device - €15

Delivery + taxes for these cases - €26

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3d printed case (2 pcs) - v2 - testing specific material - €7

Delivery - €35

Taxes (I probably need to find different logistics company) - €35
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PCB manufacturing (5 pcs) - €17

PCB assembly (1 pcs) - €55

PCB Delivery + Taxes - €33

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Grand total ~ €223

Important notes:

this values does not include labour cost
I will 100% go through few more rounds of 3d printing
I will 100% go through few more rounds of PCB prototyping
PCB assembly is made in PRC, same PCB assembly in EU (Aisler) estimated at around €400

Project Logs

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Connector PCB
Dream1iner • 2 hours ago • 0 comments

14 January 2026
Finally I've received daughter board with USB-C connector. I put wrong cc1 and cc2 lines resistors so for R1 to detect gamepad I had to use power meter since it has own cc lines resistors.
Anyways - here's short demo
PCB
Dream1iner • 11/23/2025 at 22:01 • 0 comments

23 November 2025

Finally got the PCBs from the manufacturer: five of them are empty, and one is complete, with all the components soldered.
I ran a simple electrical test before applying power, and everything looked fine. Then I connected the board to a USB power source, and there were no issues.
Quick and dirty test firmware has been complied using QMK and it worked!

I still need to order a second board to make it look pretty, but for the test, I connected the wires directly to J2, connected the board to Rabbit, and played Mortal Kombat: Unchained for a good half hour.

Couple things that made me nervous:

1. My power meter tool was unable to detect any current draw when I hooked PCB to power source. Seems like un-flashed rp2040 does not really drawing anything.

2. Firmware was unable to detect buttons being pressed until I edited code and changed diode direction to

COL2ROW even though I don't have diodes at all: every button is connected to it's own GPIO to prevent ghosting.
3D printing
Dream1iner • 10/25/2025 at 08:13 • 0 comments

25 October 2025

I re-evaluated the cost of 3d printing/delivery/taxes and ordered myself basic 3d printer.

All 3d printed parts that I've ordered cost me ~ €115.
Printed I've ordered was ~ €200.
Most probably it will be used for prototyping not for mass production, but even that can help cut costs.
Case
Dream1iner • 10/24/2025 at 16:08 • 0 comments

24 October 2025

Second iteration of the 3D-printed case, I think I’ve finally decided on the overall size and look.

I will rework top part since I want this connection to be secure and reliable but it will do for now.