Show HN: Creavi Macropad – Built a wireless macropad with a display

[cmpx]

Hey HN,

We built a wireless, low-profile macropad with a display called the Creavi Macropad. It lasts at least 1 month on a single charge. We also put together a browser-based tool that lets you update macros in real time and even push OTA updates over BLE. Since we're software engineers by day, we had to figure out the hardware, mechanics, and industrial design as we went (and somehow make it all work together). This post covers the build process, and the final result.

Hope you enjoy!

[stavros]

This is fantastic. You've detailed a lot of the stuff that ruined my projects, though I never really actually sat down to learn about parasitic inductance and how to combat it. Now I look at the datasheet and make sure I don't miss any of the recommended caps and resistors, though I'm still not at your level of complicated design.

The finished product looks great, well done! By the way, why not add two more buttons at those two blank corners? Is it because the labels wouldn't fit on the display? You could always replicate the layout onto the display itself and put the labels on that.

[cmpx]

Thanks!

About the buttons in the corners, I wish we could use that space too! :) Most of the electronic components (MCU, power supply circuit) are located in the corners, while the remaining PCB area is occupied by the mechanical switches, display/battery, and the encoder.

[sulicat]

Looks really nice! It looks real professional!

Is there an ESP on there? Are you using lvgl for the display?

[cmpx]

Thanks!

We planned to use ESP, but turned out it needs a lot of energy, so we are using nrf52840 MCU. Yes, we are using lvgl! Such a nice library!