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"我们收到了一封特殊的邮件。来信者的女儿在上学途中不幸遭到重型卡车碾压，右手永久失去了功能... 他想让我们帮他女儿做一个单手键盘。"
(We received a special email. The sender's daughter tragically lost her right hand in an accident... He asked us to build a one-handed keyboard for her.)

This poignant request sparked the creation of the HTX Studio One-Handed Keyboard – an ambitious open-source hardware project now available on GitHub and Gitee. Designed for profound accessibility, it integrates a full mechanical keyboard, directional controls, mouse buttons, a scroll wheel, and a 25mm PTFE trackball into a single ergonomic unit, eliminating the exhausting hand movement between separate input devices.

Engineering for Accessibility & Performance

The keyboard isn't a simple key reduction. It's a meticulously engineered system comprising multiple interconnected PCBs:

  • Main Keyboard PCBs: Offered in large (hot-swappable, 4-layer) and small (solder-only, 2-layer) variants for left or right hands. Not simple mirrors!
  • Modular Control Boards: Separate PCBs for the trackball (using SPI1), scroll wheel, and directional keys (using ALPS SKCL/SKCM series "Yellow" switches).
  • Centralized Control: An STM32G431CBU6 MCU running custom QMK firmware manages all inputs.

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Key Technical Specifications:
* Firmware: Fully compatible with QMK and VIA for effortless key remapping.
* Connectivity: USB-C (supports A-to-C and C-to-C cables).
* Construction: Detailed layer stack includes POM plates, Poron foam silencing (plate, switch, case), and PTFE ball bearings.
* Assembly: Comprehensive guide covers PCB population, firmware flashing (via Bootmagic), and mechanical assembly with specific screw/nut types and quantities listed.


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Why Open Source Matters for Assistive Tech

By releasing all design files – including PCB schematics (using JLCPCB's EDA), 3D models (for resin/PLA printing), firmware source, and VIA configuration – HTX Studio tackles a critical issue: the prohibitive cost and limited customization of commercial assistive devices. Developers and makers can now:
1. Build it: Source components and assemble the keyboard themselves.
2. Modify it: Adapt layouts, switch types, or control modules (e.g., different trackballs).
3. Improve it: Contribute enhancements back to the project via GitHub/Gitee.

Beyond the Prototype: A Community Catalyst

Referencing inspiration from influencer "He Tóngxué", this project demonstrates how open-source hardware can democratize accessibility solutions. The detailed documentation lowers the barrier for replication and iteration. While assembly requires significant technical skill (soldering, 3D printing, firmware flashing), the availability of complete designs empowers workshops, rehab centers, or dedicated makers to produce these for users in need.


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This project is more than a keyboard; it's an invitation to the tech community to leverage open-source principles for profound human impact, proving that thoughtful engineering can restore agency and efficiency for users navigating the digital world with physical challenges.