The Silakka54 HE is an affordable open-source split ergonomic keyboard that combines a 54-key layout with Hall effect switches, QMK firmware and browser-based VIAL configuration.
A modder has developed the Silakka54 HE, an open-source Hall effect version of the affordable Silakka54 split mechanical keyboard. The project offers an alternative for users seeking a split ergonomic keyboard with magnetic switches, a category that has largely been dominated by more expensive commercial products.
The keyboard retains the original Silakka54 layout, featuring 54 keys arranged across two split halves, with six columns and four rows alongside two three-key thumb clusters. Its ergonomic split design allows users to position each half independently, while the compact layout can also make it suitable for users who prefer using a single half for certain applications.
Hall effect switches use magnets and sensors instead of conventional physical electrical contacts to detect keypresses. This enables features such as adjustable actuation points and rapid trigger functionality. The Silakka54 HE is built around an RP2040 Zero microcontroller and runs the open-source QMK firmware, with support for configuration through the browser-based VIAL tool.
The two keyboard halves are connected through a TRRS cable, and the design is intended as a DIY project. Users can assemble the keyboard themselves, have the PCB manufactured through a fabrication service or obtain assembled versions from third-party builders. A reversible PCB and 3D-printable cases and accessories help reduce manufacturing costs and make the design easier to reproduce.
By combining an ergonomic split layout, Hall effect technology and openly available hardware and firmware, the Silakka54 HE provides a lower-cost platform for experimenting with magnetic keyboard switches. The project demonstrates how open-source designs can make features usually associated with premium gaming keyboards more accessible to makers and keyboard enthusiasts.
