The Yolk Keyboard is a precision-engineered, low-profile mechanical keyboard that merges embedded intelligence with refined human interaction. Designed and built by Yolk Workshop, it embodies an embedded-first philosophy, where every function is controlled directly in firmware, without external software or bloat.

At its core is an STM32L0 microcontroller with an integrated real-time configuration system. Users can adjust lighting, power, and behavior entirely on-device through an intuitive command interface. The RGB backlight is zone-based and HSV programmable, with EEPROM-backed profiles allowing instant color control, dynamic effects, and low-power operation.

A custom capacitive haptic slider replaces traditional volume knobs, combining a 7-pad capacitive touch array with a DRV2605L haptic driver and LRA actuator. This enables precise, tactile control of volume and other system functions with responsive feedback and progressive acceleration.

Power management is handled through a custom Power Management State Machine (PMSM) supporting seamless USB/BLE auto-switching, sleep states, and proximity wake-up via a CAP1293 sensor that detects user presence from up to 10 cm away.

The system is backed by a structured 64 KB EEPROM (M24512E-F), storing RGB configurations, BLE/USB states, haptic parameters, calibration data, and fault logs (xPSR/SCB register capture). All operations are atomic and power-aware, ensuring stability and long-term reliability.

Yolk’s design follows Dieter Rams’ principles: honest, unobtrusive, and enduring. Every aspect from the 21 mm ultra-slim gasket-mounted chassis to the honeycomb baseplate and magnetically sealed USB-C/BLE architecture has been developed to deliver functional elegance and mechanical integrity.

The result is a self-contained, intelligent keyboard system that requires no software, no cloud, and no compromise.

Technical Specs

MCU: STM32L0 series, ultra-low-power ARM Cortex-M0+

EEPROM: 64 KB M24512E-F with CRC, wear leveling, and fault logging

Lighting: 33 configurable RGB zones, HSV color control, adaptive brightness

Haptics: DRV2605L + LRA actuator with custom capacitive slider

Sensors: CAP1293 proximity sensor (3–10 cm range)

Connectivity: Dual-mode USB-C / BLE auto-switching (TPS2116 power mux)

Power Management: 3-state PMSM (Active / Latent / Sleep), travel lock, runtime statistics

Form Factor: 21 mm profile, gasket-mounted chassis, honeycomb aluminum baseplate

Firmware: Embedded configuration system, no host software required

Links

Official Website: https://yolkworkshop.com

GitHub Repository: https://github.com/Yolk-Workshop/Yolk-Keyboard

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/yolkworkshop/