1209 / EAEB - Pico Controller

Pinscape Pico is a comprehensive I/O controller for virtual pinball cabinets that runs on the Rasbperry Pi Pico (RP2040). This project is a sequel to the original Pinscape KL25Z controller, reimplemented from the ground up for the Pico. It creates a bridge between virtual pinball software on a PC (such as Visual Pinball) and the physical input and output devices commonly found in virtual pin cabs, including button inputs, plunger sensor inputs, accelerometer (for nudge sensing), and feedback-effect devices (lights, solenoids, motors, etc). The Pico communicates with host software on the PC via USB, using a variety of standard HID interfaces and custom application-specific interfaces. The project includes firmware for the Pico, plus a set of circuit board designs for “expansion boards” that supplement the Pico’s I/O capabilities with added input ports and high-current output ports for feedback devices.