Quit Zoom Call Macro Key - Arduino Cherry MX USB Macro Keyboard/Keypad Tutorial

Wonder how to build a custom keyboard? Ever wanted a fast way to quit out of Zoom calls?

Today we're going to be making our own macro keyboard. Well, a two key keyboard.

Get the full article and code-explanation on the blog:

For this we're going to use the Arduino Pro Micro. And the reason we're using the pro micro is because the pro micro has a version of the arduino microchip the ATmega32u4, as opposed to the ATmega328.

The reason this is important is the Arduino Pro Micro or the Leonardo that it's based on, has the ability to be a HUD device, a human interface device. That means it can communicate over USB as if it's a keyboard or a mouse. And as we're doing a macro keyboard, key pad, whatever you want to call it, this is important.

So, whereas I'm using cherry MX switches because I'm building up to create a real keyboard. You can use regular buttons. This can be done really, really cheaply, or you can do a full, really luxurious keyboard and everything in between. So you're going to need ATmega32u4 based Arduino board, as I said, like an Arduino Pro Micro or Leonardo, the pro micro is just smaller.

You're going to need some buttons, however many buttons that you want to press. You're going to need some wires to connect them. You're going to need a breadboard or some sort of board to build upon, and we'll get into the complications of mounting cherry MX switches but spoiler alert; cherry MX switches aren't meant for breadboards. You're also going to need a USB cable.

I'm starting out with one button and first, I'm just going to do "hello world". We finish off by making a key that gets us out of Zoom calls, fast!

See if you can tell which part of the video has my voice simulated by AI ... hopefully it is not THAT difficult to tell, but it is an interesting technology already ;)

Code:

STLs:

Music:
Hopefully Yours by Ian Post
License owner - makerhacks