Build your own Ally Keys device

Seeed XIAO nRF52840

  1. Purchase a Seeed XIAO nRF52840 device, you do not need the "sense" version although that will work.
  2. Download the Firmware file to a folder (e.g. Downloads/Ally_Keys/ally_keys_0_0_1_beta.ino.zip)
  3. Download the Update script (MAC only) to the same folder (e.g. Downloads/Ally_Keys/update.sh)
  4. Plug in the Seeed XIAO nRF52840 to your computer
  5. Open a terminal to where the firmware file and script are
  6. Run the script: ./update.sh (you may need to mark it as executable: chmod +x update.sh)
  7. You will be shown a list of connected devices, with indexes, choose the index that most looks like /dev/cu.usbmodem101 - for example, mine looks like this:
    [0]: /dev/cu.Bluetooth-Incoming-Port
    [1]: /dev/cu.Headphones
    [2]: /dev/cu.usbmodem101
    In the example above, you would press "2" and press enter. If there are many devices like this and you are unsure, follow the troubleshooting instructions below.
  8. You should eventually see a bunch of "#" symbols - that means it's uploading the firmware
  9. Unplug the device and then navigate to the ally keys page and see if it works!
A small chip roughly 2cm by 2cm, with the letters 'S' 'E' 'E' 'E' 'D' printed across the top. There is an FCC and CE logo, as well as a identification number

3D Printable case

  1. The 3D printable case is available on TinkerCad, you can download the STL or OBJ file
  2. Printing can be done by mail service, in the UK I use Midlands 3D printing. PLA or Carbon Fibre should be fine.
  3. Place the Seeed XIAO nRF52840 flat side up (upside down) in the bottom part of the case.
A round object to house a small chip. There is a hole in the middle for the chip, a gap for the USB-C entry, and an indentation of the 'accessibility person' in the cap.