Ultimate Bluetooth Gaming Adapter
This guide provides an overview on how to create a Bluetooth adapter to allow Bluetooth mice (and adaptive mice), keyboards, and game controllers to connect wirelessly to the Xbox Adaptive Controller, Hori Flex, Nintendo Switch console, and Quadstick. The board can connect wirelessly to Bluetooth devices and then can plug directly into devices like the Xbox Adaptive Controller and Nintendo Switch to allow them to be used as wireless inputs for gaming. You can also connect multiple Bluetooth devices to the board at once, allowing you to combine different types of devices together (e.g. mouse and keyboard) for console gaming. Adaptive mice like the Glassouse should also be able to connect to be used for console gaming. This device is based on the HID Remapper project.
All that needs to be purchased to make the adapter is the Adafruit Feather nRF52840 Express board. Then the board can be plugged into a computer, and the firmware can be updated easily to be used as a Bluetooth gaming adapter. Simply plug the board into the computer, double tap the button closest to the USB port to access the drive of the board (the green light on the board should turn on), then go to your file explorer and open the drive for the board, then drag and drop the firmware from this site for the board (remapper_adafruit_feather_nrf52840.uf2) into the drive folder. The board should then be updated to work with the HID Configurator Tool and allow you to connect Bluetooth devices and assign them game controls. Please note that only devices that connect over Bluetooth Low Energy versions 4 and 5 can connect to the board. In the HID Configuration Tool, users can connect multiple devices, assign which type of device they want to connect to (e.g. XAC, Hori Flex, Switch), and assign game controls to the inputs (e.g. use mouse movement as right joystick movement or left click as right trigger). Users can also assign button functions (toggle) and button combinations in the configurator. This device can be used for many different applications, such as using a Bluetooth mouse (or adaptive mouse) with the Xbox Adaptive Controller, using a keyboard and mouse for gaming on the Nintendo Switch, or for setting up a version of controller assist on the Nintendo Switch console. Please see the video above for step-by-step instructions on programming the board and examples of different connections.
The Bluetooth adapter can also be made directly compatible with the PS5 and Xbox consoles using an adapter. The Emulation Device Type needs to be set to “PS4 arcade stick”. Then it can be configured and plugged into the Brook FGC 2 adapter for the PS5 or the Brook XB 3 adapter for the Xbox console.
Bluetooth Wheelchair Gaming Adapter
Another version of the Bluetooth adapter can be created to connect with Bluetooth Classic devices, including certain power wheelchair joysticks with built-in Bluetooth mouse functionality. Some power wheelchairs allow the joystick to function as a wireless mouse for controlling computers, tablets, and other devices. A Raspberry Pi Pico W or Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W can be programmed to connect wirelessly to this Bluetooth mouse output and convert the joystick movements and mouse functions into video game controller inputs on a gaming console. This setup allows gamers to incorporate their power wheelchair joystick directly into an adaptive gaming setup. Depending on the configuration, the Pico W or Pico 2 W can connect to a Nintendo Switch or Switch 2, an Xbox Adaptive Controller (XAC), a QuadStick, or, with an additional Brook adapter, directly to an Xbox or PlayStation 5.
The only hardware required to create the Bluetooth adapter is a Raspberry Pi Pico W or Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W. The board can be programmed using the following steps: (1) Connect the Pico W or Pico 2 W to a computer; (2) Drag and drop the appropriate firmware file onto the board (Pico W or Pico 2 W firmware), making sure to use the firmware designed for the specific Pico model; (3) Once the firmware is installed, the board can be configured using the HID Remapper Configuration Tool; (4) In the configuration tool, connect the board, and select the console connection type and assign the desired game console controls to the wheelchair mouse functions (see the directions in the video); (5) Once programmed, the light on the Pico should turn solid green, indicating that the adapter is ready to pair with the wheelchair.
Once the board is programmed and in pairing mode, place the wheelchair’s Bluetooth mouse module into pairing mode using the manufacturer’s instructions (see instructions here for Permobil and Quantum). With the wheelchair in pairing mode, power on the Pic o adapter and place it near the chair. When the connection is successful, the Pico’s light should begin blinking green, indicating that it has paired with the wheelchair. If the Pico accidentally pairs with an unwanted Bluetooth device, previously paired devices can be removed through the Actions section of the HID Remapper Configuration Tool. The adapter can then be paired again with the desired wheelchair. After pairing and configuration are complete, the wheelchair joystick should function as the programmed gaming controls when the Pico is connected to the desired gaming device. See the video above for step-by-step programming instructions and examples of the different connection options.
The Bluetooth adapter can also be configured for direct use with Xbox and PlayStation 5 consoles by adding a compatible Brook adapter. For this configuration, set the Emulation Device Type in the HID Remapper Configuration Tool to “PS4 arcade stick.” The Pico can then be connected to a Brook Wingman FGC 2 adapter for use with the PlayStation 5, or a Brook Wingman XB 3 adapter for use with Xbox consoles.