Summary of Virtual USB Keyboard Using Arduino
Communicating with a host computer lets an Arduino access many devices and software by emulating human input devices. Instead of custom serial-host code, an Arduino that pretends to be a USB keyboard, mouse, or joystick can control desktop apps, submit web forms, or act as custom controllers (chording keyboards, virtual keyboards, VR gloves, head trackers). Emulation opens possibilities for hardware that interacts with software not designed for external control.
Parts used in the Virtual USB Keyboard Using Arduino:
- Prototyping shield
- mount female USB
- Seeeduino
- pushbuttons
Communicating with a host computer can allow a simple Arduino-based system to gain access to a wide variety of devices and information.
Most people link an Arduino to a host using serial communications across a USB connection with custom code running on the host to send information to the Arduino or receive it in return, but giving your Arduino the ability to pretend to be a keyboard or mouse opens up a whole world of possibilities because it means your Arduino can interact with software that was never intended for external control. That could be desktop software such as a game or a web browser: your Arduino could “type” into a web form and submit it on your behalf, or act as a custom controller for a game!
Or you could use an Arduino to connect a custom input device to your computer so that it emulates a regular keyboard or joystick. The custom input device could be a chording keyboard, a virtual keyboard, or even something like a virtual reality glove or head tracking system controlling your pointer by emulating a joystick.
Prototyping shield
mount female USB
Seeeduino
pushbuttons
For more detail: Virtual USB Keyboard Using Arduino
- What advantage does emulating a keyboard or mouse offer over serial USB communication?
Emulating a keyboard or mouse lets the Arduino interact with software not intended for external control, enabling tasks like typing into web forms or controlling games. - Can an Arduino act as a joystick or other input device?
Yes, the article states the Arduino can emulate a joystick to control a pointer or serve as a custom input device. - What kinds of custom input devices are mentioned?
Chording keyboards, virtual keyboards, virtual reality gloves, and head tracking systems are mentioned as examples. - Do you need custom host software to use an Arduino as a keyboard or mouse?
No, emulating a keyboard or mouse allows interaction without custom host software designed for serial communications. - What components are listed as major in the project?
The major components listed are a prototyping shield, mount female USB, Seeeduino, and pushbuttons. - Can an Arduino submit a web form automatically?
Yes, the article describes that an Arduino emulating a keyboard could type into a web form and submit it on your behalf.
