Tired of bulky controllers? The String Controller V1 by Arnov Sharma is a clever, wearable gamepad that responds to your finger motions—no gripping required! This innovative project transforms natural hand movements into game commands using simple mechanics, making controller use more intuitive and comfortable.
Built on an RP2040‑based minidevelopment board (the RP2040 Tiny), the String Controller V1 attaches to your wrist and operates via finger-mounted rings connected to limit switches by thin strings. Curl your index or middle finger, and the switch registers a button press—perfect for forward, backward, or other game inputs. Those signals are wired into a tiny SNES‑style controller PCB created using PCBWay, which integrates beautifully with the RP2040. The entire rig is powered by a 3D‑printed wrist cuff, hot‑glued lever mounts, and a few crafty rings—PLA printed with ease.
What makes this setup so inspiring is its simplicity and user-centered design. Without complex electronics, you can redefine how controllers work—focusing on ergonomics and hand mobility. Code runs on the RP2040 Tiny using Adafruit TinyUSB libraries to emulate a standard 12-button USB gamepad on your PC. The result? A lightweight, wearable controller perfect for platformers or accessibility-minded gaming.
This minimalist build showcases creative hardware design, compact USB HID implementation, and adaptable ergonomics. It’s a great learning platform for those interested in wearable tech, gamepad emulation, or unconventional input devices. Plus, with open-source CAD files and PCB designs, it's ideal for customization—scale it up to five buttons or add gesture mapping in future versions.
Whether you're a hobbyist looking for a weekend build or an educator designing inclusive input tools, this string-based wearable controller is fresh, playful, and encouraging. It's a small project with big creative potential! Click here to view the full project ➜
