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DIY haptic input knob: BLDC motor + round LCD

scottbez1 · demo · Watch on YouTube

Embedded systems & DIY electronics3D printing, CNC & maker projects

What it is

A two-minute demo of SmartKnob View, an open-source input knob built from a brushless gimbal motor, magnetic encoder and round LCD. Closed-loop torque control gives software-defined detents and end stops.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN people hold it up as a polished solo hardware project and the go-to example of haptic knobs, including in discussions of physical car controls.

  • 2 people recommended it
  • 2 different months
  • 1 strong recommendations
  • first 2023, last 2026

What HN commenters said

  1. “its amazing”

    Demo of an open-source buildable haptic smart knob.

    laurencei, 2024-07 · Strong recommendation · in “Reverse-engineering my speakers' API to get reasonable volume control”

  2. “two encoder wheel projects on YouTube that might interest you”

    Related encoder-knob project that might interest the reader.

    rzzzt, 2025-06 · Recommendation · in “Ask HN: What Are You Working On? (June 2025)”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: smartknob, bldc motor, esp32, haptic feedback, open-source hardware

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