Laika pcb

Laika - 45%-ish v4n4g0n-inspired keyboard

Build guide — coming soon

Main features:

• Custom compact layout — 47 keys + half of number row
• Waveshare RP2040-Zero MCU
• MX hotswap
• Split spacebar support (2 × 3u or 1 x 6u)
• Two plate options: Standard and Extra (extra plate has enlarged stabilizers holes)
• Top mount with o-rings
• The two halves of the case and top weight are held together by magnets
• VIAL / QMK firmware

Layout:

BOM:

Files:

laika/
├── case/
│   ├── top.step                          # Top case
│   ├── bottom.step                       # Bottom case
│   ├── battery-cover.step                # Battery cover
│   ├── standart-plate.step               # Standard plate
│   ├── extra-plate.step                  # Extra plate
│   ├── top-weight (laika).step           # Top weight — "laika" text
│   └── top-weight (laika-the-keyboard).step  # Top weight — "laika the keyboard" text
├── laika-pcb/
│   ├── laika-pcb.kicad_pcb               # PCB layout (KiCad 10)
│   ├── laika-pcb.kicad_sch               # Schematic (KiCad 10)
│   ├── laika-pcb.kicad_pro               # KiCad project
│   └── Production files/
│       └── Laika PCB gerbers.zip         # Ready-to-order gerber files
└── plate-dxf/
    ├── standart-plate.dxf                # Standard plate for laser cutting / CNC
    └── extra-plate.dxf                   # Extra plate with enlarged stabilizers cutouts / CNC

PCB manufacturing:

Send laika-pcb/Production files/Laika PCB gerbers.zip to your preferred PCB manufacturer (JLCPCB, PCBWay, etc.) with the following settings:

Firmware:

Laika runs on VIAL (QMK fork with real-time key remapping — no flashing required for layout changes.

https://github.com/vial-kb/vial-qmk/tree/vial/keyboards/laika

Flashing (RP2040-Zero):

1. Hold the BOOT button on the RP2040-Zero while connecting USB.
2. A drive named RPI-RP2 will appear.
3. Drop the .uf2 firmware file onto that drive.
4. The keyboard will reboot and be ready to use.

What is tested?

Photos of PC proto:

Named after Laika — the first living creature to orbit Earth.