{
  "id": 16638702,
  "title": "Open source keyboard lets you swap parts like magnetic Lego bricks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/open-source-keyboard-lets-you-swap-parts-like-magnetic-lego-bricks-16638702",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-26T17:25:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Register",
    "slug": "the-register",
    "url": "https://www.theregister.com/offbeat/2026/10/26/open-source-keyboard-lets-you-swap-parts-like-magnetic-lego-bricks/5305470"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An MIT freshman named Nathan Alspaugh has created an open source keyboard project called Keybytes. Keybytes is a fully modular keyboard where each individual key contains its own RISC-V microcontroller and can be rearranged using magnetic, interchangeable pieces. The keyboard uses magnets to hold the interchangeable pieces together, with all four sides of each key containing pogo pins for power and I2C connections to adjacent modules. The only additional component needed is a controller module that manages communication with the host computer. Despite the keyboard consisting of two stacked circuit boards, it has the same footprint as the individual key modules. The project was designed by Alspaugh, who wanted to create a fully customizable keyboard that he could rearrange at any time. Alspaugh faced several setbacks during the design process, including magnets that wouldn't stay put and design compromises. He spent approximately 100 hours working on the project and the individual key control boards, called Keybits, cost around $2 each, while the controller boards, called Keywords, cost $30 each. A full-sized keyboard would cost around $900 to build, making it quite expensive. Alspaugh is currently working on improvements and additions to the project, including the addition of a fingerprint sensor on some of the keys. He encourages others to build their own Keybytes keyboard if they have the necessary components. The project files can be found on GitHub.",
  "summary": "Every key is its own module, and its designer tells us the sky's the theoretical limit on the size of the frankenboard you can build",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}