{
  "id": 16755314,
  "title": "Keybytes ‘truly modular keyboard’ starts with one key and is assembled like Legos",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/keybytes-truly-modular-keyboard-starts-with-one-key-and-is-assembled",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-27T13:34:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tom's Hardware",
    "slug": "tom-s-hardware",
    "url": "https://www.tomshardware.com/peripherals/mechanical-keyboards/keybytes-truly-modular-keyboard-starts-with-one-key-and-is-assembled-like-legos-each-magnetic-key-module-has-its-own-risc-v-microcontroller-for-the-ultimate-in-customizability"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Keybytes is a modular keyboard project developed by Nathan Alspaugh, known as notaroomba. The project is open-source and available on GitHub. The core of the keyboard is the Keyword hub, which is magnetically connected to modular Keybit keys. Each Keybit key has its own microcontroller, allowing for a customizable layout and number of keys. The project started in March 2023 and reached a functional stage by the end of the same year. The Keyword board houses an Arm Cortex M4 microcontroller, Bluetooth antenna, and flash memory, while the Keybit keys contain CH32V003 RISC-V microcontrollers and pogo pins for power and I2C. The keys also feature magnetic connections, making them easily attachable to the Keyword board. The case of the Keybit keys is magnetic, allowing for a variety of layout options. While the project currently supports up to two Keybits with a Keyword, the full potential of the modular design can be realized with more components. The project is released under the MIT license, which is permissive and encourages widespread use and modification. However, creating a full-sized keyboard with 60 or more Keybits can become quite expensive, with costs reaching around $900 for a complete setup. Future plans for Keybytes 2.0 include customizable RGB lighting, as well as additional features like Dialbits, Fingerprintbits, and Touchpadbits.",
  "summary": "The modular Keybytes project combines a Keyword hub that is magnetically connected to Keybit keys, with each key having its own microcontroller.",
  "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."
}