LEGO Meets DIY Sim Racing: A Wheel That’s More Brick Than Plastic
There’s a follow-up reddit post by u/FrenchieEAP about theirSim Racing Wheel built out of Lego and powered by a Raspberry Pi Pico 2 that I just adore, it’s a perfectly charming and hands-on project that surprises you with how functional it is! It’s not just a toy, it’s a full controller with real inputs, kid-friendly goals, and a lot of creative problem-solving.
What They Built (And Why Everything is Awsome)
My immediate reaction? This is the kind of maker project that turns play into engineering. When most people think of LEGO, they imagine static models or simple builds — but here we’ve got a fully interactive game controller that bridges physical construction and real software inputs.
At the heart of this racing sim is just a bunch of Lego bricks, a Raspberry Pi Pico 2, and a 10K potentiometer used for steering input as well as 2 push buttons acting as the throttle and brakes. But what makes it brilliant is that its designed for a little 4 year old F1 fan which adds a few design constraints to the entire process such as reinforcing parts with hot glue so that it doesn’t fall apart mid-race.
On top of that, this latest update explores adding force feedback using simple rubber bands (yes, really), tidier cable routing, and even LEDs to give visual flair — all while wrestling with the quirks of LEGO geometry so lights and wires play nice.
What's Next?
Seeing where this is headed, here are a few natural next steps worth trying:
Turn those rubber bands into a slightly more controlled centering or resistance mechanism — Phantom tension bands or a simple spring could help here.
Whether it’s more buttons on the wheel or a separate set of foot pedals (even LEGO-based), more inputs make it feel more real. Going wireless with a second Pico 2 W could clean up the cabling too.
Add a small display to show speed, gear, or even just a little “race HUD” — perfect for immersion and feedback while driving.
At the end of the day, this is a project that doesn’t just work — it inspires. It shows that with creativity, inexpensive microcontrollers, and a bunch of bricks you already have at home, you can build something that’s both playful and technically impressive.
Wouldn’t it be awesome if this became a starter kit for LEGO-based game controllers everywhere?
