Keychron announces MKF open-source firmware for magnetic gaming keyboards

Peripheral manufacturer Keychron has announced a new open-source project called Magnetic Keyboard Firmware (MKF). This project is specifically designed to support magnetic gaming keyboards utilizing Tunnel Magnetoresistance (TMR) and Hall effect sensors.

While the project has not yet released public code contributions, the roadmap includes high-performance gaming features and compatibility with older Keychron magnetic models that previously used a forked version of QMK. The firmware will be released under the GPL 3.0 license, allowing for community development and commercial use provided the license is maintained.

Technical features and implementation goals

• High-Performance Input: The firmware aims to support 8 kHz polling rates and features like Rapid Trigger and SOCD (Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Directions) for competitive gaming.
• Sensor Customization: MKF plans to implement adjustable actuation points, custom response curves, and PDO (sending multiple keypresses based on how deeply a key is depressed).
• Hardware Compatibility: The project is intended to work with TMR and Hall effect sensors and will target initial wired connectivity before expanding.
• Emulation and Legacy Support: The roadmap includes controller emulation capabilities and backward compatibility for existing Keychron magnetic keyboards currently running forked QMK firmware.

Why it matters

By releasing MKF under the GPL 3.0 license, Keychron is providing a standardized, open-source alternative to the proprietary firmware often found in high-end magnetic gaming peripherals. This move encourages community-driven development for Hall effect and TMR hardware, potentially lowering the barrier for other open-hardware keyboard enthusiasts.