---
layout: download
board_id: "pirkey_m0"
title: "pIRkey Download"
name: "pIRkey"
manufacturer: "Adafruit"
board_url: "https://www.adafruit.com/product/3364"
board_image: "pirkey_m0.jpg"
---

The pIRkey adds an IR remote receiver to any computer, laptop, tablet...any computer or device with a USB port that can use a keyboard. This little board slides into any USB A port, and shows up as an every-day USB keyboard. The onboard ATSAMD21 microcontroller listens for IR remote signals and converts them to keypresses, mouse movements, or even USB serial output.

Infrared is a favorite wireless protocol - no antennas, certifications, pairings, passwords, or special tools required. Works everywhere in the world and very intuitive - everyone's got an IR remote in their home.

The **pIRkey** is an improvement on Adafruit's original IRkey product, by adding a **p** for **python**. Now with CircuitPython being available for the tiny ATSAMD21E processor, it's swapped in for the ATtiny85, giving a huge boost in power and a working Python interpreter on board as well. This means it is easy to reprogram, customize or adapt it to whatever Infrared-reading needs you may have.

When you plug it in, the pIRkey shows up as a triple device: USB disk drive to store code, USB serial for debugging and Python interactive command line, and USB keyboard/mouse that can transmit keypresses or mouse movements.

By default it ships with simple example code to read NEC remotes but **you can use _any_ remote that has about 38KHz output frequency which is the vast majority of remote controls**. CircuitPython makes this all very easy to customize and adapt to your own needs.

## Purchase

* [Adafruit](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3364)

## Contribute

Have some info to add for this board? Edit the source for this page [here](https://github.com/adafruit/circuitpython-org/edit/master/_board/{{ page.board_id }}.md).
