Comment by jwr
9 days ago
This is a wonderful hack!
But — using a Raspberry Pi and Linux is overkill for this. It introduces huge unnecessary complexity. A simpler approach would be to go with Zephyr and a small microcontroller (ARM Cortex M4).
9 days ago
This is a wonderful hack!
But — using a Raspberry Pi and Linux is overkill for this. It introduces huge unnecessary complexity. A simpler approach would be to go with Zephyr and a small microcontroller (ARM Cortex M4).
It's not unnecessary complexity if the thing wouldn't get made otherwise, especially for a personal project.
Thank you!
I think that's a fair point about potentially wasted resources, something like Pico would have been and a leaner choice if this was going to be mass-produced. But for me, part of the decision was my comfort level with system programming and what I desired to tinker with and learn along the way and still, it's a very affordable option (around 20 CAD I believe)
Perhaps I'll look into porting it to Pico in future as new challenge and learning experience. Thank you for your sharing your thoughts.
I had same worries like yours but worry not, check MicroPython/CircuitPython when you get a chance. You load it up onto Pico and play with REPL in IDE. It is easier than debugging Go on large-RPi.
Please don't get me wrong: I really do appreciate the hack value and I absolutely understand choosing this route to scratch a personal itch!
My point was more general: I see a lot of things getting built using Linux that really have no need for this level of complexity. And it doesn't come free: complex systems are more fragile, there are more things that can go wrong.
In this particular case, I'd recommend taking a look (for example) at the Seeed XIAO nRF52840 module and Zephyr: around $10, very capable CPU, very good Bluetooth stack (Zephyr+Nordic), USB-C connector.
I would think an esp32 with Bluetooth would do wouldn't it?
Right, I think it is doable (an would say even easier/faster) with Raspberry Pico Pi W controller, it has BT and can behave like USB HID device.
a.k.a.
> A delightfully over-engineered solution
<3