Building a haptic input knob from scratch!

[@scottbez1]

Good news! The motor used in this design had been elusive, but the community was able to identify the motor manufacturer and SparkFun had a bunch of these motors manufactured - the motors can now be purchased from SparkFun if you'd like to build your own! www.sparkfun.com/products/20441 SparkFun is an awesome company to support - they've been pushing the hobbyist and open-source electronics space forward for years! This isn't sponsored and I don't make any money from sales or anything like that; I just love what they're doing as a company. I've used a ton of their electronics boards in the past and I actually learned how to reflow solder at home by following Nate's old blog posts: www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/58 and www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/59 (You might recognize some of those techniques in this video!) I'm very excited that they were willing to help make these motors more broadly available!

[@blakeireland1533]

out of stock already :(

[@multiarray2320]

please tell me that you make more videos

[@marcusone1]

out of stock again... any news on when new stock will be available?

[@bs-tech.solutions]

@@marcusone1 in stock again, 87 remaining at this time.

[@isaachenrikson3197]

@@bs-tech.solutions 2 now

[@yeong126]

This is not a DIY project, this is a whole product. The quality is unbelievable.

[@James-Pi]

I hope he sells kits soon.

[@zdhd]

@@James-Pi me too. im looking to make one of these myself and its so difficult to find all of the parts i need

[@johnmichaels4330]

Hell yeah it is.

[@ryanjpedersen]

Yeah, take my money

[@ksoonsoon]

No, take my money

[@koni_ey]

The Industrial Design on this thing is sooo refined! I think i have never seen that on a "hobby grade" project! Keep up the amazing work!

[@jamessmith5459]

Frankly it's a lot better than some industrial electronics. If you pull a drive cabinet apart you would be concerned about the quality the work.

[@magorur]

Is this really a hobby-grade project? I am totally impressed by the project, no doubt. And I believe this is a level where every maker would wanna reach to. But how??? Quite honestly, I would even pay to learn, but what is resource?

[@p_o_o_g8139]

Beauty of 3d printing

[@prime-mate]

This.. excellent design!

[@timknapen]

The attention to detail with the flex sensing, force feedback, light sensing and even the removable adhesive slots... next level! so impressive!

[@scottbez1]

Update on motors: with the help of the community we identified the original manufacturer, and I've been in contact with a well-known hobbyist electronics company in the US that will be selling them and should be a reliable source to buy these unique motors going forward! I'll have more details to share in the future!

[@demonicpizzaman]

Fantastic! I can't wait to get a few of these built. There are SO many amazing applications for this!

[@ArteiusTube]

Thank you very much! :D looking forward to seeing if this thing will be possible to be purchased again!

[@jeremyanderson6395]

Great so they will be 10x as much.

[@RileyPorter]

@@jeremyanderson6395 Dont care take my money :)

[@RileyPorter]

Should we be watching here for more news or github issues for official updates on motor availability?

[@jasonclark1149]

"This PCB can measure its own mechanical deformation. Weird flex, but ok." ...and I'm dead. That was an unexpected laugh-out-loud in the middle of an excellent breakdown of a wonderful project. And then the recommended video - I can't believe I didn't realize you also did the see-thru split flap build. Love that as well. As someone who used to travel regularly via Amtrak thru several stations with old Solari displays, I've long been a huge split-flap nerd, and I'm always on the lookout for diy builds. Very subbed for the next cool thing. Thanks!

[@zenrook1]

I was going to ask you to provide a link to the split flap build, but I found it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3K0e313hrialck; Thanks I didn't know about this.

[@Necrocidal]

It's got me wondering if more strain sensor positions (3+?) would allow a joystick-like interaction too

[@3nertia]

@@Necrocidal They do, and they exist, but they tend to wear out very quickly from what I've read during my research

[@Guynhistruck]

100% just started writing the same comment. Holy hell, that line wrecked me.

[@Crokto]

wow thanks for this breakdown, been wanting to make a stripped down version but didnt really know where to start, this really helps me understand the purpose of each bit

[@DisorderedArray]

Different parts of this project can be used for all sorts of other things. The smart knob is fantastic, but knowing how each function is achieved is going to help me with my completely unrelated projects, it's really a treasure trove of great ideas!

[@jerbear7952]

The cut outs for removing the adhesive strips was the kind of thoughtful touch that made me lean forward and hear what this man has to say.

[@atishwaghwase]

This is my favourite electronics project of all time. Excellent work and massive thanks for keeping it open source!

[@srt252]

Every single component to this build was level 100 design perfection. I am blown away at how well thought out this entire project is. Well done

[@Hasan...]

Top level of ergonomic, aesthetic, and intuitive finished product design from scratch... This is mind-blowing talent 👏 Perfection at it's best !

[@dosgos]

Great industrial design. And elegant too. I can't imagine how much time this took to develop & optimise.

[@jsincoherency]

This is absolutely superb, great job. So many clever and surprising solutions to problems.

[@TastyPurpleGum]

I'm blown away by the incredible quality you achieved, which approches (and surpass some of) manufactured products. But your Kicad infos & plugins, github repo, and explainations is really what it makes it shine the most. Thank you for being part of what makes the hobbyist electronic world such a great community

[@puffinjuice]

Everything about this video was amazing, the product itself, the video composition, the narration, everything. Well done!!!

[@miru2583]

this is not just a hobbyist DIY project, this is something completely different. this guy could put this in kickstarter and earn profit from it but no, he decided to open source his idea for the community. what an amazing lad. personally, this project is waaaaay above my skill level and reach. like those part are only available oversea and only sold in bulk. one day, probably, one day. one thing would make this cleaner is instead of having 3v USB cable dangling below the knob, is to use the main 120v for power. i get the idea of it being portable and compact but im just throwing my 2 cents.

[@SimplySpace]

Everything about this project soothes my soul, so much attention to detail. The tight integration of PCB design, and mechanical components makes me very happy to see. It's a real demonstration of what I always maintain, that an engineer with strong EDA skills, CAD skills and design sensibility, is a weapon to be reckoned with. This has given me an itch to restart a few smaller projects of mine that have fallen by the wayside, thank you for sharing!

[@amcomma]

I could imagine this being used as "master control" for room. Dimming lights, temperature control, ventilation fan speeds. Maybe even door opening if you use it with motorized one!

[@wallyhulea219]

Perfect shape for a HAL9000 skin on the interface. He could open the pod bay doors, if he wants to.

[@supplement420]

Imagine BMW would use this in their Cars...oh wait, they do :D

[@dafoex]

@Zap le monde Still better than a touch screen!

[@3nertia]

It's a macro knob - it could do literally *anything* any other knob could do with the stroke of a few keys or the press of a Smart Knob :D

[@3nertia]

@@dafoex A touchscreen on this would be pretty cool to be honest but I'm not sure this - as functional as it already is - really needs it lol

[@__azt]

This is not a tech video, every second felt like an Art being demonstrated. Really glad that youtube suggested me this.

[@wherearethepies9043]

Hell yeah, I've been waiting to see more on this, super cool stuff

[@RichardSmith-qb4qq]

Yoooo been waiting even checking the gethub

[@WhyIsTheCouchWet]

The strain gauge on the flexing PCB and then the simulated haptic feedback with the motor. 'Chef's kiss' that is /such/ an elegant solution. Really all of it is great. I'm simultaneously inspired and a little intimidated.

[@clnrrr]

this is honestly one of my favourite projects on the internet. its just so neat, really cannot understand how this is not industry standard

[@WoodyW2k]

And this is why I subscribed. What an elegant and well implemented design. 👏🏻

[@dev-workshop]

You can use 4 bend sensors per 4 sides. This way you will be able to know direction of bending and use it like joystick

[@rpyrat]

Isn't one per side (4 total) enough for that?

[@dev-workshop]

@@rpyrat Yea, i mean one per side (4 total)

[@adrianjost-dev]

But do you need it? I imagine the usability wouldn't be as great as an iPod click wheel type interface would be. Still, initially I had the same thought.

[@dev-workshop]

@@adrianjost-dev I just love the joysticks :) And this is an idea to try, if the sensors are already in project

[@Johnnisjohnnis]

Touch sensitiv display as well. 😀 A fingerprint reader would be cool. 🥰 Maybe proximity sensor or ir camera with gesture ability. 🤔 Iris scanner. Hidden security camera. Bottle opener. 😂

[@yoursfithfully047]

mam you are smart and also you convey things in a way that does not let other people think that they are dumb thanks for sharing such an interesting project I would definitely build this !

[@lauril1377]

This is probably the greatest DIY engineering project I've seen. Amazing work from the idea to execution!

[@nadimfetaih3841]

This is wild, I was LITERALLY just watching your other video about this - an hour later, I saw your new one! This is amazing, thanks for the breakdown!

[@danilocedeno9765]

Ok so hear me out. I saw this project a bit back and I think the work you put into this is insane. It is so clean and beautiful that not even a consumer grade product comes even close. I'd love to build one but the problem is that other than the supply issue for the motor, I also don't have the tools e.g. hotplate for reflow soldering in order to do so. So I appreciate massively that you shared this video and your work because I would love to use this as a reference to try and make a less nice but similarly functional dumbed down version. I also would like to be able to print the parts myself on my fdm printer. The package will be much larger but I personally don't mind. Again thank you for keeping this open source and I'm looking forward to your future projects!

[@keen2461]

Wow....I'm blown away.....This must be the best electronics project I've seen in several years. Awesome job!

[@conunfrum]

I want one, maybe two, of these in every single room of the house. Keep up the good work.

[@REEKONTools]

Great Work Scott!

[@infinitepurelive]

These video's on smart knobs are awesome, I wish this could be a kit that I could order

[@WayneJohnsonZastil]

You can order kit just from different places

[@plemli]

Just wait a while, and all sorts of (cost-cut / reduced functionality) adaptations will pop up on the chinese sites. From there on this could be industrialized into an off the shelf part, maybe by 2027 as component availability goes...

[@ShiroCh_ID]

@@plemli whelp time to use this hing for all my swtiches in home xD not to mention the convinient it will gives that you can turn on lights on spesific room in another room that it wasnt do,and with some software mod you can also add a "lock" so you acnt controll that room from other knobs

[@MatSmithLondon]

@@ShiroCh_ID exactly my thoughts.

[@smarzony]

It's unbelievable how many tech you put in this device, I really admire you

[@Nicolas_dG]

This video is amazing from top to bottom, you want through every detail perfectly, which makes your work even more impressive. First the project is really well done with some smart solution, but also this video is very well made. Good job man ! Cant wait for this motor issue to be fixed (maybe thé GMB2804H-100T could be used, although i think you said it was a bit expensive)

[@tuskiomisham]

wonderful stuff, I wonder if with a more advanced motor controller, we could simulate a 'frictionless' knob, one that would keep spinning until you stop it.

[@WebmediArt]

Super dope engineering! Clever design for sure with that flex and haptic feedback

[@markmuir7338]

I just came across your channel. This is such a great implementation, and a wonderful presentation style. The fact you went the extra mile by making extra firmware and even that compass prop just to aid the description, puts you in a class above everyone else! Excellent

[@charlesrg]

great work, would definitely buy it if sold as a module. it would add a great touch interface on many projects.

[@jarrettporst4799]

This is genius! I see you making a interactive smart home controller, lights, AC/Heat, Alarm system, Solar/Wind Energy Management, Air Quality and filtration, water management and filtration, door bell and cameras... Awesome tech Scott.

[@danielmyrenne6570]

Interaction Design as well as engineering on this one is simply great! I really love this project and am happy you uploaded this video. Maybe Carl Bugeja (here on YT) can provide a very slim Motor Design?

[@electronicscaos]

I used this same concept in a gizmo I made to control 3D models in the screen as I turn 3 knobs. I used the motors to make it harder to turn (more precise) while don't actually having a device with short life caused by mechanical defects. Thanks for sharing, you got a subscriber.

[@karasekjh]

I can't wait for this to be commonly available in consumer electronics.

[@wody21]

What an unbelievably witty design, just staggering! Huge congrats, you should be very proud of your SmartKnob!

[@artomatica]

The engineering quality of this channel is on another level. Pcb, motor, work itself is precise and clean, as in the lab. Pleasure to my eyes!

[@MarinMinkov]

Great job. I remember that it felt like magic the first time I used a knob like this in a BMW e60. Car reviews were not happy with the iDrive knob, but I think it was just ahead of it's time back in 2006/7. Interesting thing about the BMW knob is it can also be pushed to the side giving you 4 (8 with diagonals) more inputs to play with.

[@valkyrieedit]

I agree with every positive comment on this video. Love the content and am very excited to see what is to come. I am glad that you are taking the time to show the world this.

[@ultrarichie]

3:52 i lost it! 😆 you went thru all the expense to make a big compass and I love it

[@lhxperimental]

Good execution. I really like how you have used the flex of the PCB itself to create a button. Form + Function = Magic. Getting a mechanical button in there would probably require lot of engineering to do right. It would still take take up space and increase cost. Can the strain gauges be soldered directly to PCB like a SMD component?

[@MatSmithLondon]

I know you are considering alternatives to the flex gauges, but I really think there’s no need. The flex gauges suit the application much better than strain gauges which are thick and bulky and would not maintain the very thin form factor.

[@SeanODonovan42]

Would love to see a video of how you developed this project all the way from concept to what is essentially a next-gen consumer product. Very elegant and impressive!

[@christopherleveck6835]

You could use spindle motors from old 3.5" hard disk drives. There's even room to drill them through for the wires. OR you could build a housing that allows you to run the cable for the lcd under the top part of the case.

[@anran6425]

You can't. HDD spindle motors do not have a hollow shaft design. Drilling through the center will destory the bearings.

[@akul24]

Top part of the case is also rotating so running cable that way would be pretty hard too

[@user2C47]

An HDD motor will not rotate smoothly.

[@RichardBronosky]

7:13 "weird flex" HA! 🤣

[@prime-mate]

The thought put into this design is top-notch... such an excellent device.. so many applications!

[@lernenmitrobin]

Really nice. I got inspired by your project and made an easier version of the smart knob with my own software, based on simplefoc library. Currently I'm able to publish the angle on aws-MQTT broker via hivemq to subscribe it on any device i like to control. Where I implemented a feedback loop, I can feel the torque of the remote controlled device, such as a VFD Current signal, in my hand.

[@ajohansson1981]

"Easier version... with my own software" -- Sounds intriguing! Are you able to share your software work? I'm skilled with my hands, but not the best with embedded programming : (

[@TheCebulon]

I love this project. On the other hand, it is a lot of resources for a function, that can be achieved by a mechanical solution. But it is so awesome.

[@lakshmikolliputi5596]

What happened, did he move onto something else? Just curious since it has been 2 years lol 😂 Edit: Nevermind check the Community tab 👍

[@therealyojames]

? Theres nothing recent in the community tab

[@sycoclownx]

I just found this and am now looking at getting the parts so I can build one and tinker. I think this will be perfect for my kitchen to control a few things, the lights, oven range, and fan. Maybe if I get really into it I'll even build that motor to raise and lower the chandelier lighting so I stop bonking my head.

[@kevin42]

Using the pcb as button input is seriously ingenious. Man i love this project.

[@sethphillips4779]

Instant subscribe. The amount of effort you put into this video is tangible, from the torque arrows on the display to the compass chip demo. Very cool.

[@MrBrandenS]

This dial looks fantastic. It really brings me back to the days of running SMT machines and watching how quickly they can place these chips.

[@BurakCalik]

This is the most satisfying DIY project to watch ever, I revisit and watch it many times in year.

[@gsansoucie]

Excellent project and video. Possibly the first time I’ve ever commented on a sponsor, your sponsor couldn’t have come at a better time for me. We are hitting the road to Fulltime RV in a few weeks and I’ve been dreading packing up my 3D printer as I so enjoy designing things and printing them, now I can just design them and have someone else print them :-)

[@xpump876]

wow - this DIY creation left me speechless - amazing.

[@volodymyrliashenko1024]

This looks like a high quality build! You may not believe it, but I was thinking about such a device. Amazing work!

[@remusb]

I think you're one of the best designer out there. Everything is on another level. The Experience, the explanations, all.

[@nicholashollander2256]

This is honestly one of the coolest projects I have seen in a long time, I really want to build one!

[@elephant_beard227]

Pro Tip: Instead of checking which wire is which by using a multimeter, you can make each wire have it's own unique color to indicate which wire is which.

[@harrycoveroriginal]

I've seen many projects on youtube, but yours is just the weel explained and clean I've ever seen

[@harrycoveroriginal]

Really!

[@MrPiTbuLL601]

No doubts you are a very good engineer. Congrats for your project. It really looks amazing. Professional in every aspect. I know how much work has to be invested in order to be able to hace a product like this. Moreover when you're doing everything by yourself. Well done!

[@gordon1201]

This is so elegantly designed. Really beautiful

[@PiefacePete46]

You are a natural... this is the clearest presentation I have seen, and I watch everything I can find! You have come up with a stunning project that is beyond the abilities of most of your viewers, yet because of the quality of your tutorial, I believe most would complete it successfully. The level of interest is obvious from the comments; also obvious is the number of people hanging out for a kit. 😜 Thank you so much... Liked and Subscribed.

[@SeanLumly]

This is beautiful. What a well-designed project.

[@STRaceDevelopment]

It is a new standart to "hobby" projects for me. Keep up the good work.

[@FoxtwoPC]

Pretty spiffy! The floating bridge/strain gauge structure is almost identical to the one I used when making my force sensitive flight stick like in the F-16 -- in my case I split the strain gauges across all 4 bridges to give me a +/- on each X,Y axis, also obv. to tolerate the torque from yanking on the joystick i CNC'd my structure out metal rather than PCB board :-D (more nuance, differentially amplified measurements, multipoint averaging for smoothing, otfly calibration for drift all done in software) I haven't seen another DIYer use a strain gauge in a project and you sir, made my day :)

[@mahdyfouad]

this must be the new standard of control knob in every day use. great work sir.

[@ryandury]

Dang, I practically have no idea what you just described but the entire thing is so elegant.

[@helmutzollner5496]

This is an amazingly well designed piece of kit. Congratulations. Shane the motor is no longer available. Thank you for sharing.

[@beristainbear3924]

I cant wait to try this myself. I've finally got the confidence and motivation to give it a go

[@lhxperimental]

That KiCad tool that shows placement is great. I have always advocated opensource tools - need based solutions organically emerge and eventually the ecosystem becomes so robust that the opensource tool becomes the gold standard in that category. KiCad will go quite far. Especially because the alternatives are so locked down and expensive.

[@MikeHarris1984]

This is a freaking cool project!!! I've never thought about adding a septic feedback knob to projects... awesome project! Thank you for sharing!!

[@ianpotrament9428]

I've been looking on my own for a motor and had no idea about t the community behind this. This is sooo cool! I'm very excited to make my own and get programming. 🤗

[@ianpotrament9428]

So I've seen in the comments people's different use cases. 🤔 one that I've been thinking of is in automotive. Stereo control, cycle through menus, the obvious bass and volume. With the haltec ecu you could control, boost levels, traction control, valley mode for if the kids drive the car, all with this little knob and some programming to allow the two to communicate. It goes deeper then that if you had the nexus r5 from haltec you could way way more. I really think this has potential in aftermarket automotive.

[@peedjy71]

It's a really cool project. 🤩 I didn't imagine we can put so many technologies into a "simple" knob! Good job👍

[@Swwils]

You can also do PCB deflection detection with a crystal oscillator or the one included in the microcontroller.

[@trkoo]

Your attention to detail tickles me. I love it. ❤️ Keep it up.

[@johanfredin]

The compass chip is pure genious!

[@spaceshipdev]

I like this! Begins researching tools required to build it. A reflow solder station is certainly not in my workshop though.

[@GmailNexus]

Your Design is just awesome. So thoroughly, elegant & thoughtful ❤

[@Shadow__X]

I would love a kit with all the parts and maybe a preassembled PCB

[@owenkegg5608]

Wow, this is crazy! That force feedback looks incredible. Id love to figure out how to miniaturize it, this tech would be incredible on a smart watch!

[@beku2283]

Excellent engineering and attention to detail! Bravo!

[@terrafpv3818]

I have no use for this, but I really want to build one! Awesome work!

[@TravisRayLive]

I've never subbed so fast to a channel. This is absolutely beautiful. The amount of thought, the UI/UX considerations, absolutely wonderful.

[@kentswan3230]

This is extremely cool and extremly well thought out and designed. I suspect that the detents are implemented from the phase relationships of the coils much like a synchronous servo. In your estimation how many micro click detent positions are theoretically possible.

[@SurrealMachines]

One of the most professional designs an instruction (intro) videos I've ever seen. Amazing project. Going to build!

[@Mots-mot]

I have similar gimble motors with shaft hole of 5.4 mm diameter. and will try to build this.

[@lloydpennington10]

An alternative way to implement the “push button” would be to use the push axis function on the MT6701. That would probably require greater mechanical movement than the flexing of the PCB would allow. The strain gauge method would also facilitate a proportional force function, adding even more haptic feedback options. Gentle press, long gentle, hard press, hard short press/tap. Such a wonderful project!

[@pauljs75]

Two of those and six buttons and you have the start of a very clean and simple looking but fully functional UI for a radio tuner and multi-media player. (Think along the line of a car stereo button layout.) In play mode one could be I/O and volume and the other would jog the track or be the tuner, the six buttons could be tuner presets or fast-forward, pause, etc. In various settings modes the buttons and knobs could do different things. For instance you could have each EQ range set to a button and have one knob dial the active one up/down and the other knob could scroll through a list of fast EQ presets. Setting time could also be pretty quick too, given how the buttons can function differently during each input state on the menu. I came up with something like that before as part of a product design in a class, but it never went further than that. These knobs would work just fine with a variation of it. And those knobs should be considered as a parts-bin component, rather than just something specific to a household application.

[@jeremyanderson6395]

Love the PCB flex design. Most people would just throw a bunch more components in the mix to get the desired effect. The simplicity is amazing.

[@gavinhicks7621]

You could add additional buttons in the back or something similar to make what is basically a D-pad so the knob has even more controls.

[@marc00703]

This is probably one of if not the best DIY project I've seen in a while! It's beautiful! 😍

[@zubrkabbi]

Assembled my own copy a week before this video =) But it was fun anyway. Thank you for this awesome project!