Some simulation enthusiasts accept no compromises. Steering wheel, pedals, levers… no accessory can be left out of the setup. But there are also those who enjoy the wonderful world of radio control, having acquired remarkable skill with their special controllers. So, how hard would it be to adapt one of those RC systems to play on PC? Dave Madison from the site Parts Not Included teaches us the process.
I have said it before, but radio control is one of those worlds I never fully entered, and I still consider it a pending subject. Strategy, technique, skill, maintenance, tweaks and optimizations... there is much to learn there. The web is full of guides and tutorials that teach us to improve our performance and fix problems, yet there are some ways to unite radio control with computer racing simulators. One of the most interesting is modifying a classic RC transmitter into a gamepad:
Dave Madison of Parts Not Included based his project on a four-channel DUMBORC X4 transmitter/receiver that costs less than 30 dollars on Amazon, but similar systems can be found on Amazon Spain with an average price of 30 euros. The six-channel version is almost identical, with two additional potentiometers on top. Dave began his modification by adding two buttons, and replacing a PCB to change a switch into a push button.
In fact, Dave ended up designing and replacing more than one PCB, and also printing some buttons in 3D. By far, the most complex part of the project is hacking the receiver. In relaxed terms, what he did was solder a SparkFun Pro Micro (compatible with Arduino, obviously) to convert the receiver into a USB dongle that, once connected to the computer, poses as an Xbox 360 gamepad, thus guaranteeing its compatibility in Windows.
https://old.neoteo.com/como-conectar-un-gamepad-de-playstation-4-en-la-pc/A bit of vinyl, a housing for the dongle, and the final result is excellent. Beyond a pinch of lag, his system can perfectly control the vehicles of Forza Horizon 4 and navigate every menu. But let's not forget that the computer only 'sees' an Xbox gamepad, therefore, other racing games work too, including the DiRT and F1 sagas. Another very interesting option is Rocket League, however, Dave admits that the system works better if we only focus on accelerating, braking and changing direction. Definitely not a project for beginners, but if you seek a challenge, why not?
Access the article: Click here
Code on GitHub: Click here
