This is an open source hat for the Raspberry Pi Pico which allows using a USB keyboard (and mouse) with a computer that has a PS/2 port. If you want a ready-to use adapter, see this other listing.

But why?

You may be wondering, but why would anyone want to use this when they could just plug their keyboard and mouse in directly via USB? Great question! The main use is for a security improvement with Qubes OS. There is a discussion about this on their community forum. The other use would be to get a modern (i.e. USB) keyboard to work with an old computer. If you're not into retro computing, this is probably not of interest, but some people might find it to be wonderful.

For comparison, the commercial versions of this device made which cost $80 and they're not open source!

What makes this special?

This product is entirely open source. You can download the designs and, provided you have the right equipment and skills, make one of these yourself. Others can freely make improvements to the product. You can see how its made, which is highly desirable for any security device.

What is included?

This listing is just for one hat (the purple board in the photos). No cables, adapters, nor case are included. If you're looking for a completely built, ready to use device, see this other listing. If you're still interested in the hat by itself, then you'll want to carefully read the section below.

What is needed to use it?

This device requires a Raspberry Pi Pico, a USB-micro to USB-A (female) adapter (sometimes called On-The-Go, or OTG, adapters), and a PS/2 cable. A case is optional, but it does make it look nicer and address the risk of the device being set down on something metal that would create short circuits. The case is also open source and can likely be printed at your local makerspace, hackerspace, or library. Search the web to find the place that's closest to you that has a 3D printer available for you to use.

Once you have all the hardware, you will need to put the code onto your Raspberry Pi Pico. The code and instructions for doing this are available here.

I want to make my own

Great. You can find all the schematics and bill of materials here. If you're not experienced with making electronics and still want to use this to get some practical experience, it's probably best to seek out someone who has done this before. Again, look for your local makerspace or hackerspace for help.