Technology

Floppy disk drive converted into smart TV remote for kids — dev’s toddler inserts vividly labeled floppies to watch his favorite shows

Source

Tom's Hardware

Published

Jan 18, 2026

TL;DR

AI Generated

Tech tinkerer Mads Chr. Olesen has repurposed a floppy disk drive into a smart TV remote system for kids, called FloppyDiskCast. Olesen believes traditional Smart TV controls are overwhelming for toddlers and wanted to create a more tactile and intuitive interface. By inserting specially labeled floppy disks, children can easily access their favorite shows with authentic feedback reminiscent of using floppy disks. The system utilizes Arduino technology and a configuration file on each disk to trigger specific TV shows, providing a unique and engaging experience for young users.

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