This 'truly modular' keyboard can be built like a Lego set — meaning you can add as many keys as you like

Keybytes lets users assemble custom keyboards from magnetically connected individual keys Every Keybit contains its own RISC-V microcontroller for individual key operation A full-size Keybytes configuration could cost approximately $900 to assemble MIT student Nathan Alspaugh has developed Keybytes,

<![CDATA[ <article> <ul><li><strong>Keybytes lets users assemble custom keyboards from magnetically connected individual keys</strong></li><li><strong>Every Keybit contains its own RISC-V microcontroller for individual key operation</strong></li><li><strong>A full-size Keybytes configuration could cost approximately $900 to assemble</strong></li></ul><p>MIT student Nathan Alspaugh has developed Keybytes, an open source keyboard project that lets users create custom layouts by connecting individual keys to a central controller.</p><p>The design uses magnetic connections and dedicated microcontrollers to support flexible arrangements.</p><p>Keybytes consists of two main elements: the Keyword controller and individual Keybit modules, which connect magnetically to form a personalised keyboard.</p><h2 id="magnetic-keys-allow-custom-layouts">Magnetic keys allow custom layouts</h2><p>Each Keybit contains a RISC-V microcontroller, allowing individual keys to operate independently rather than relying entirely on one central processor.</p><p>Every Keybit measures 19.05 x 19.05mm, corresponding to a standard 1U keyboard unit.</p><p>Its four-sided pogo pin connections carry power and I2C communications, allowing modules to connect through different edges and accommodate varied arrangements.</p><p>The central Keyword module contains two stacked circuit boards, with an Arm Cortex M4 microcontroller.</p><p>The Keyword controller contains two stacked circuit boards, with its upper board housing an Arm Cortex-M4 microcontroller, a Bluetooth antenna and flash memory.</p><p>Its lower board provides USB-C connectivity, charging functions and a buck-boost converter for power management.</p><p>Each Keybit accommodates a Cherry MX mechanical switch, giving builders the option of selecting compatible switches for their preferred typing experience.</p><p>The magnetic connections allow keys to attach around the Keyword controller or alongside other modules, removing the fixed layout restrictions found in conventional keyboards.</p><p>Alspaugh has published the project files, design assets and construction details on <a href="https://github.com/notaroomba/keybytes" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">GitHub</a> under the permissive MIT licence.</p><p>This allows others to examine the design, build their own units and modify the hardware according to their requirements.</p><h2 id="building-a-full-keyboard-could-cost-900">Building a full keyboard could cost $900</h2><p>Despite its flexibility, Keybytes remains an early-stage project, with Alspaugh reporting that the basic system had only recently reached a working state.</p><p>Publicly available project documentation currently shows limited combinations of modules rather than a completed, full-size keyboard layout.</p><p>The developer estimated that assembling a full-size version using approximately 2 Keyword controllers and 110 Keybits would cost around $900.</p><p>That figure indicates how quickly expenses could accumulate when each additional key requires its own circuit board, microcontroller, and other electronic components.</p><p>Builders must also account for printed circuit board production, component purchases, soldering, and custom 3D-printed enclosures.</p><p>These requirements could make large layouts considerably more demanding than smaller configurations designed around a handful of shortcuts.</p><p>The current design also has limitations in its lighting options, since the Keyword includes a status indicator while individual Keybits lack dedicated illumination.</p><p>Future versions could add features such as customisable RGB lighting, rotary controls, fingerprint recognition modules or a compatible touchpad. These remain proposed additions rather than confirmed developments.</p><figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check="" ><div class='image-full-width-wrapper'><div class='image-widthsetter' style="max-width:676px;"><p class="vanilla-image-block" style="padding-top:31.51%;"><img id="diM9tpwF2Lz85R8q85CT78" name="tr-g_news" alt="Google logo on a black background next to text reading 'Click to follow TechRadar'" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/diM9tpwF2Lz85R8q85CT78-1920-80.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="676" height="213" attribution="" endorsement="" class="inline" /></p></div></div></figure> </article> ]]>