1-key 'keyboard' for controlling aux music playback in my car

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Plasmodium

16 Mar 2017, 01:29

Ok, so it's not really a keyboard, but it's an input device and it uses a Cherry switch (fine, a Gateron).

Basically I just re-bodied the inline controls and mic from an Android aux cable into a chunky, easy to use format. My stimulus was the recent UK traffic safety laws which mean that newer drivers (like me! :? ) could lose their license if they are caught using their phones in the car. I like to play music on mine, but I also want to drive safely and within the law! So I made this gadget to easily control playback without picking up the phone. It was just a bit of a fun project for me last weekend and I figured some of you Deskthoritarians might find it interesting.

Here's a link to my more detailed (and perhaps rambling) write-up on my blog, and I'll post some WIP pictures below!
https://petersawersblog.wordpress.com/2 ... fety-laws/

The insides of the inline aux cable controls. One pushbutton and one mic. Both wired to the 4th pole on the phone end of the cable.
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The inside with the phone end wired up (but not the stereo end yet). Some slightly janky soldering was involved, but it all works!
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Finished and in-situ!
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The little beanie baby penguin is called 'Dippy' after the genus 'Eudyptes' of crested penguins. :) My mother gave him to me at Christmas to 'keep me company on long journeys'. :roll: But he is quite cute. :D
Last edited by Plasmodium on 16 Mar 2017, 23:26, edited 1 time in total.

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rsbseb
-Horned Rabbit-

16 Mar 2017, 14:57

Cool little project. I've thought about hacking the preset buttons on my stereo and adding a panel with mechanical switches for better ease of use

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