Learn how to connect various controllers to your Raspberry Pi and use them for different applications.

This article will show you how to connect and set up popular controllers such as gamepads, joysticks, and keyboards on your Raspberry Pi for various applications like gaming, robotics, and automation. …


Updated August 15, 2023

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This article will show you how to connect and set up popular controllers such as gamepads, joysticks, and keyboards on your Raspberry Pi for various applications like gaming, robotics, and automation.

There are many types of controllers that can be connected to a Raspberry Pi to add input/output capabilities. Some examples include gamepads, joysticks, and keyboards. In this article, we will discuss how to connect and set up these controllers for different applications on your Raspberry Pi.

Connecting Controllers to Your Raspberry Pi

Before connecting any controller to your Raspberry Pi, make sure that you have the necessary tools and equipment:

  • A Raspberry Pi with a running OS (either Raspbian or another Linux distribution)
  • The controller you want to connect (gamepad, joystick, or keyboard)
  • Micro USB cables for powering your controller and connecting it to the Pi
  • HDMI monitor, mouse, and keyboard for accessing your Pi’s desktop

Gamepads

Gamepads are popular controllers for gaming applications on Raspberry Pi. They can be connected to your Pi using a USB cable or via Bluetooth (if supported). Here’s how to connect a gamepad using a USB cable:

  1. Plug in the power cord of your gamepad into a USB port on your Pi.
  2. Connect the USB cable of the gamepad to one of the available USB ports on the Pi.
  3. Turn on your Pi and your gamepad.
  4. Open the terminal and run sudo apt-get install qjoypad. This will install a program that allows you to test your gamepad’s inputs.
  5. Run qjoypad in the terminal to start the application and test your gamepad. You should see the gamepad buttons light up as you press them.

For Bluetooth gamepads, follow these steps:

  1. Pair your gamepad with your Pi using the bluetooth settings on your Pi’s desktop or by running bluetoothctl in the terminal.
  2. Install qjoypad using sudo apt-get install qjoypad if you haven’t already.
  3. Run qjoypad. You should now be able to use your Bluetooth gamepad with your Raspberry Pi.

Joysticks

Joysticks are similar to gamepads but have fewer buttons and sticks. They can also be connected using USB or Bluetooth. Here’s how to connect a joystick using a USB cable:

  1. Plug in the power cord of your joystick into a USB port on your Pi.
  2. Connect the USB cable of the joystick to one of the available USB ports on the Pi.
  3. Turn on your Pi and your joystick.
  4. Open the terminal and run sudo apt-get install jstest-gtk. This will install a program that allows you to test your joystick’s inputs graphically.
  5. Run jstest-gtk in the terminal to start the application and test your joystick. You should see the joystick sticks and buttons move as you use them.

For Bluetooth joysticks, follow these steps:

  1. Pair your joystick with your Pi using the bluetooth settings on your Pi’s desktop or by running bluetoothctl in the terminal.
  2. Install jstest-gtk using sudo apt-get install jstest-gtk if you haven’t already.
  3. Run jstest-gtk. You should now be able to use your Bluetooth joystick with your Raspberry Pi.

Keyboards

Keyboards can be connected to your Raspberry Pi via USB or Bluetooth (if supported). Here’s how to connect a keyboard using a USB cable:

  1. Plug in the power cord of your keyboard into a USB port on your Pi.
  2. Connect the USB cable of the keyboard to one of the available USB ports on the Pi.
  3. Turn on your Pi and your keyboard.
  4. You can now use your keyboard to interact with your Raspberry Pi’s desktop.

For Bluetooth keyboards, follow these steps:

  1. Pair your keyboard with your Pi using the bluetooth settings on your Pi’s desktop or by running bluetoothctl in the terminal.
  2. Your Bluetooth keyboard should now be connected and ready to use.

Using Controllers for Different Applications

Once you have successfully connected a controller to your Raspberry Pi, you can use it for various applications. Here are some ideas:

  • Use gamepads or joysticks to control robots in robotics projects.
  • Play games on your Raspberry Pi using emulators like RetroPie.
  • Automate tasks using keyboard shortcuts or scripts triggered by button presses.
  • Control the movement of a camera or other hardware using a joystick.

In conclusion, connecting controllers to your Raspberry Pi is an easy and versatile way to add input/output capabilities to your projects. Whether you want to play games, control robots, or automate tasks, there’s a controller that will suit your needs. Just make sure to choose the right one for your application and follow the steps outlined in this article to get started.