SparkFun Qwiic Joystick

The SparkFun Qwiic Joystick is an excellent addition to any project that requires a human interface. This joystick combines the Qwiic connection system and an analog joystick that is similar to the thumbstick from a PlayStation 2 controller. The onboard ATtiny85 microcontroller acts as an intermediary for the analog and digital inputs from the joystick, allowing the Qwiic Joystick to report its position over I²C. The Qwiic system ensures no soldering is needed to connect it to your system, but 2.54mm-spaced pins are also available for breadboard enthusiasts.

The joystick measures directional movements with two 10 kΩ potentiometers, connected with a gimbal mechanism that separates the horizontal and vertical movements. It also includes a select button that is activated when the joystick is pressed down. The I²C address of the Qwiic Joystick is software selectable, allowing you to add multiple joysticks to the same bus without any risk of collision.

The SparkFun Qwiic Connect System is an ecosystem of I²C sensors, actuators, shields, and cables that make prototyping faster and less prone to error. All Qwiic-enabled boards use a common 1mm pitch, 4-pin JST connector, which reduces the amount of required PCB space and ensures you can't hook it up wrong due to polarized connections.

Some of the main features of the SparkFun Qwiic Joystick include its Qwiic compatibility, software selectable slave address, low power ATtiny85 microcontroller, and ability to report X and Y joystick position plus button press. This joystick is perfect for controlling robots, navigating menus, or even controlling video games.

Documents available for the SparkFun Qwiic Joystick include a schematic, Eagle files, a hookup guide, ATtiny85 Firmware, Arduino Library, Python Package, and a GitHub repository. These resources make it easy for you to incorporate the joystick into your project, regardless of your level of expertise.