Our crowdfunding campaign at Crowd Supply for ANAVI Dev Mic successfully wrapped up on September 26th, and we couldn’t be more grateful! Thank you! Over 30 backers from eight countries supported this open-source hardware project for a computer microphone powered by the Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller.
ANAVI Dev Mic is a compact, affordable, exceptionally adaptable open-source microphone. The printed circuit board has been designed with KiCad and feetures Seeed Studio XIAO module with the Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller and an omnidirectional digital microphone that work together to ensure high-quality sound capture and processing.
The production of the printed circuit boards and component assembly is now complete, and we’ve also finished the laser-cut acrylic enclosures. Packaging materials, including cardboard boxes and stickers, are ready to go. In the coming weeks, we’ll complete packaging and transfer everything to the warehouse. From there, Crowd Supply’s fulfillment service will ship the ANAVI Dev Mic kits to all our backers.
Thank you again for your tremendous support, feedback, and contributions to our GitHub repositories. More updates are coming soon—stay tuned!
The ANAVI Dev Mic is a small, open-source microphone kit designed for hobbyists and developers. It’s easy to assemble on your own, even with minimal tools. While you can complete the assembly using just your hands, a screwdriver will make the process quicker.
Components
When you open the ANAVI Dev Mic kit, you’ll find the following parts:
Black PCB with gold plating and white markings
Acrylic top cover
Acrylic bottom cover
Four 10 mm screws (M2.5)
Eight M2.5 nuts
NOTE: The kit does not include a USB-C cable. You can use one you already have or buy one separately.
Step 1: Remove Protective Layer
The acrylic covers are laser-cut and come with a protective film on both sides. Carefully peel off this film to reveal the clear acrylic.
Step 2: Attach the Top Cover
Take the PCB and the top acrylic cover, which has a circular cutout for the microphone. Align the cover with the corresponding circle on the PCB. Insert a screw into each of the four mounting holes and secure them with the nuts provided.
Step 3: Install the Bottom Cover
Next, place the bottom acrylic cover over the side of the PCB where the XIAO RP2040 module is located. Secure the cover by tightening it with the remaining four nuts.
Step 4: Connect and Use
With these simple steps completed, your microphone is ready to go. Just plug ANAVI Dev Mic into your computer using a USB-C cable, and you’re good to go!
Let’s explore how to retrofit a classic Wii Nunchuk controller using ANAVI Handle, an open source hardware USB-C adapter that lets you connect a wired Nunchuk controller to any modern PC, be it a laptop or desktop. In this tutorial, you will learn how to configure the Nunchuk as a joystick and enjoy the open-source game “Tiny Crate”, all within your web browser.
Hardware Requirements
To get started, you’ll need:
A personal computer
A USB Type-C cable
An ANAVI Handle along with a Wii Nunchuk (or another compatible controller)
Software Configuration
Begin by connecting your Wii Nunchuk controller to your computer using the ANAVI Handle, an open-source hardware adapter. Next, edit the config.json file to enable joystick mode by adding:
{
"type": "joystick"
}
The ANAVI Handle’s default open-source firmware (written in CircuitPython) uses the analog stick and buttons on the Nunchuk to control movement in joystick mode. After modifying config.json, disconnect and reconnect the ANAVI Handle to apply the changes.
The ANAVI Handle’s RGB LED provides visual feedback on the connection status:
A green light indicates a successfully connected Nunchuk controller.
A blue light shows the controller has been disconnected from the ANAVI Handle.
A red light signals an absent or improperly connected Nunchuk controller.
In the video, you’ll see the green light illuminated, confirming that everything is functioning correctly.
To quickly verify that your controller is working in joystick mode, load the HTML5 Gamepad Test in a modern web browser. This open-source tool is available on GitHub under the MIT license and provides a simple way to check your controller’s functionality.
Let’s Play!
Once everything is set up, you’re ready to dive into games that support joysticks!
While preparing this video, I discovered an incredible game called Tiny Crate. It’s a 2D puzzle game with charming pixel art graphics and joystick compatibility. Despite being a puzzle game, its game play evokes a sense of nostalgia for classic jump-and-run titles. Tiny Crate is an open-source game, with its source code available on GitHub. Developed using the Godot game engine, it’s playable on multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, and even Android.
I featured Tiny Crate while demonstrating the ANAVI Handle during the “Show and Tell” segment of Pi Wars, a Raspberry Pi-based, non-destructive robotics competition. Pi Wars 2024 took place on April 20th-21st in Cambridge, UK, attracting 58 teams of robot engineers. During my demonstration, children of all ages were captivated by Tiny Crate, so much so that many were too absorbed in solving game levels to notice the ANAVI Handle or the Nunchuk controller. This speaks volumes about the quality of Tiny Crate and the effectiveness of the ANAVI Handle in seamlessly converting the Nunchuk controller into a USB HID device.
If you’re passionate about gaming innovation and eager for a new experience, all you need is a Nunchuk controller and an ANAVI Handle. After a successful crowdfunding campaign ANAVI Handle is available at Crowd Supply. We will soon stock it at our other distributors. Follow this guide and get ready to enjoy hours of fun with your favorite games!
Do you remember the ANAVI Macro Pad 2, our tiny mechanical keyboard with just two keys? Built around the Microchip ATtiny85 microcontroller, it comes with QMK version 0.13.19 and is often used as a cool copy-paste keypad. However, its open-source firmware can be reprogrammed for various uses. Recently, Henrik shared a Crowd Supply “field report” about his impressive setup, using the ANAVI Macro Pad 2 to control audio streams with his favorite songs. Although the ANAVI Macro Pad 2 was successfully funded on Crowd Supply three years ago, in June 2021, we continue to update the documentation and share news with our backers. It’s fantastic to keep improving the product based on community feedback.
Henrik created a custom QMK keymap for the ANAVI Macro Pad 2 based on his needs: the left button is for “play/pause,” and the right button is for “next song.” He even configured the LEDs to light up when the buttons control media playback. Why hire a DJ when you can be the DJ with your homemade setup using the ANAVI Macro Pad 2?
After modifying the firmware, Henrik made a hardware customization. For fun, he changed the keycap on the right button to one featuring a sleeping unicorn. This new keycap, being heavier than the default translucent one, adds weight to the otherwise lightweight ANAVI Macro Pad 2. The keyboard comes with Gateron red mechanical switches, which are Cherry MX compatible, allowing for easy keycap changes. Henrik also shared his plans for future modifications, including a second custom keycap.
Thanks to open source it is possible to enjoy your favorite arcade, home-console, and classic PC games on a budget setup. In this video tutorial, we will transform an old netbook into a portable retro-gaming machine using Raspberry Pi OS and RetroPie.
RetroPie is a software package designed to enable the emulation of classic video game consoles that sits on top of a full OS. In this tutorial we will install it on top of a Linux distribution. RetroPie allows users to play games from a wide range of vintage systems by using emulators for platforms such as:
Atari 2600, 5200, 7800, Lynx
Commodore 64
Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Super NES (SNES), Nintendo 64 (N64), Game Boy, Game Boy Advance
Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, Sega CD, Sega 32X, Sega Master System, Game Gear
Sony PlayStation 1
Required Hardware
This is the required hardware for this tutorial:
Personal computer (PC). For example an old netbook like Acer Aspire One D257 or Asus EeePC (or similar) with an Intel Atom or AMD CPU is a great fit.
ANAVI Handle open source hardware USB adapter for Wiimote attachments
Wii Nunchuk controller (or another compatible controller)
Software
Follow the steps below to install and configure all the required software on your computer.
Step 1: Install Raspberry Pi OS for Desktop
Raspberry Pi Desktop for PC and Mac is a 32-bit GNU/Linux operating system designed for older and less powerful computers. It’s based on Debian, a popular Linux distribution, and includes the Raspberry Pi OS desktop environment along with a set of recommended software. If you have an aging computer that can’t handle modern commercial operating systems, Raspberry Pi OS can revitalize it, making it usable again. To get started, download the OS, flash the ISO file onto a USB drive, boot from the USB on your computer, and proceed with the installation.
Step 2: Install RetroPie
Follow the official documentation for installing RetroPie on a PC running Debian or Ubuntu. Use the RetroPie setup script to perform a Basic Install.
Step 3: Transfer ROM files
After RetroPie is installed, you’ll need to move ROM files for your favorite games into the correct directories. If you followed the steps above, the main directory for all ROMs is located at ~/RetroPie/roms (or /home/pi/RetroPie/roms, which is the same). There are subdirectories for each supported emulated system, such as NES, SNES, and others.
Step 4: Connect ANAVI Handle and Nunchuk
The next step is to connect a Wii Nunchuk controller to your computer using our open-source hardware adapter. Edit config.json and enable keyboard mode:
{
"type": "keyboard"
}
ANAVI Handle comes with open source firmware written in CircuitPython. The keyboard mode includes a D-pad (directional pad, aka arrows), along with A and B keys. Save the changes to config.json. Ensure they take effect by disconnecting and then reconnecting the ANAVI Handle. After that configure the controls in RetroPie using the Nunchuk controller and ANAVI Handle.
The RGB LED on ANAVI Handle indicates the connection state
Connection States Through RGB LED
The default open-source firmware uses the RGB LED to display three different connection states:
A green light means the Nunchuk controller is properly connected.
A blue light indicates the controller has been disconnected from the ANAVI Handle.
A red light warns that the Nunchuk controller is missing or not connected correctly.
In the demo video, you’ll see the green light on, signaling that you’re ready to enjoy some classic games!
Enjoy Retro Gaming on the Go
Once everything is set up, you can begin your retro-gaming adventure! Power on your computer. RetroPie will start automatically (unless you’ve configured it differently), allowing you to dive into a world of classic arcade, home console, and homebrew games. Whether you’re fighting aliens or challenging a heavyweight champ, a whole world of gaming awaits you. heavyweight champ, a whole world of gaming is waiting for you.
If you have an old Netbook, give it a second chance as portable gaming machine! Get a Nunchuk controller and our open source ANAVI Handle, follow this tutorial, and get ready to relive the golden age of gaming!
The Open Source Hardware Association (OSHWA) officially certified our new gadget ANAVI Handle in April. ANAVI Handle is a small USB-C adapter with XIAO RP2040 that allows you to use Wii Nunchuk-compatible controllers as USB HID peripherals on your personal computer. You can configure ANAVI Handle to adapt the controller as a joystick, keyboard or a mouse.
OSHWA, a prominent U.S.-based non-profit, manages the Certified Projects Directory and annually hosts the prestigious Open Hardware Summit. Their certification program ensures that a project’s interpretation of “open source hardware” aligns with the community’s standards, promoting transparency and accessibility.
Each certified hardware version is identified by a unique identification number (UID) that includes a country code and a numerical sequence. On April 19th, ANAVI Handle version 1.0 was certified with the UID BG000134. This UID, displayed through the OSHW Certification Mark, simplifies navigation and information access for interested parties. The “BG” prefix indicates that the ANAVI Handle is from Plovdiv, Bulgaria, a city renowned as Bulgaria’s second-largest and Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city, with over 6000 years of history.
Our projects, including the ANAVI Handle, are distinguished by our unwavering commitment to complete openness. Every aspect of our design and functionality is made accessible to all, reflecting the true spirit of the open-source community. From the KiCad-designed printed circuit board to the highly-configurable firmware powered by CircuitPython, we exclusively use free and open-source software.
The ANAVI Handle is an open-source hardware USB adapter for the Nintendo Wiimote connector. Its open-source firmware transforms the Nunchuk controller into a USB mouse, keyboard, or joystick. If you missed out on the crowdfunding phase, don’t worry—you can still snag a kit from Crowd Supply.
After months of diligent research and development, we’re thrilled to unveil the launch of the crowdfunding campaign for the ANAVI Handle at Crowd Supply. This open source USB adapter bridges the popular wired Wii Nunchuk controller to personal computers, integrating open-source hardware with free and open-source software.
Designed using KiCad, the printed circuit board is gold-plated. The main component is Seeed Studio XIAO module with Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroler. The firmware of ANAVI Handle, driven by CircuitPython, guarantees effortless functionality, featuring versatile modes for joystick, mouse, or keyboard use.
The crowdfunding target for the ANAVI Handle is intentionally humble, marked at a mere $1. Your backing will help production in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, EU, tapping into our trusted supply network. Join us by placing an order and breathing life into this wholly open-source endeavor!
Plovdiv Game Jam 2024 was an exciting and dynamic event that brought together a diverse group of over 150 passionate participants. Held from January 26 to 28 at the Technical University Sofia, branch Plovdiv, this game jam was part of Global Game Jam.
Ralitsa Kostadinova inaugurated Plovdiv Game Jam 2024
The event was orchestrated by a dedicated team of volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure its success. Throughout the weekend, participants formed teams and engaged in an intensive and inspiring game development process. As a testament to the collaborative spirit and creativity within the gaming community more than 30 impressive computer and board games were created.
Assoc. Prof. Nikola Shakev delivered the opening address at Plovdiv Game Jam 2024
Plovdiv Game Jam 2024 started on Friday afternoon with six presentations. Leon Anavi had the opportunity to talk about ANAVI Handle, an open source hardware USB-C adapter for connection Nunchuk compatible controller to a personal computer. The printed circuit board has been designed with the open source software KiCad and relies on Seeed Studio XIAO module with Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller. This is exactly the same microcontroller as in Raspberry Pi Pico.
Leon Anavi while explaining how to upload CircuitPython on XIAO RP2040
Nunchuk is a peripheral controller designed for use with Nintendo Wii and Wii U gaming consoles. Nunchuk connects to the Wii Remote through the communication bus I2C and a cord. It features an analog joystick, two buttons (C and Z), and an accelerometer. ANAVI Handle comes with an open source firmware written in CircuitPython to adapt a Nunchuk compatible controller as a joystick or a mouse for a personal computer. All schematics and source code are available in GitHub. The slides are in Bulgarian and are available at SlideShare.
ANAVI Handle with Nunchuk
After the presentations the theme of Global Game Jam and Plovdiv Game Jam was announced. For 2024 it was “Make me Laugh”. Participants registered and formed teams with up to 5 members. After 48 hours of hard work more than 30 computer and board games were presented at the main building of the Technical University of Plovdiv.
Plovdiv Game Jam 2024 Closing Ceremony
Plovdiv Game Jam commenced its journey a decade ago, with its inaugural edition taking place in 2014. The 2024 edition achieved a milestone by breaking records in both participant numbers and the creation of games. The whole event was live streamed on YouTube and Twitch. Plovdiv Game Jam atmosphere buzzed with innovation, camaraderie, and the shared joy of bringing imaginative concepts to life. This amazing event not only provided a platform for fostering talent but also underscored the thriving game development culture in the region.
As we step into 2024, we extend our warmest wishes to all makers and engineers passionately involved in open-source software and hardware ecosystem. May the coming year be filled with groundbreaking projects, collaborative efforts, and success in all your endeavors!
2023 in Review
2023 was a significant turning point for the tech industry. It marked rise of AI and also the end of the global chip shortage, providing relief to both small and large manufacturers and paving the way for new cutting-edge devices. Among the highlights of 2023 was the very anticipated release of Raspberry Pi 5 single board computer.
ANAVI Arrows and ANAVI Macro Pad 12
In 2023, our open source hardware lineup expanded with a couple of new mechanical keyboards ANAVI Macro Pad 12 and ANAVI Arrows. Both are OSHWA certified and support QMK and KMK. We have dedicated considerable efforts to streamline the production of our existing products, ensuring that we maintain competitive retail prices while meeting the growing demand for years to come. Despite rising production costs, we have maintained our prices without any increases.
2024 Roadmap
Looking ahead to 2024, we’re thrilled to unveil a range of exciting products. The ANAVI Miracle uHAT takes center stage, allowing users to conduct a symphony of color with this open source add-on board for Raspberry Pi single board computers. Featuring compatibility with addressable RGB LED strips like WS2812B, mini I2C OLED display, and sensors, it opens up a world of possibilities for dynamic and interactive projects. We hope to launch a crowdfunding campaign for ANAVI Miracle uHAT at Crowd Supply in Q1 2024.
ANAVI Miracle uHAT for Raspberry Pi
But that’s not all. Our lineup for 2024 also includes plans for USB adapter board designed for Wii Nunchuk compatible joysticks, providing a seamless gaming experience. Additionally, we’re working on a USB microphone, IoT development boards and a CO2 sensor—innovations that align with our commitment to developing practical and meaningful open-source hardware solutions. Stay tuned for more surprises, including potential additions to our collection of mechanical keyboards, as we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of DIY electronics. Here’s to another year of collaboration, creativity, and limitless innovation in the open-source hardware community!
