Small enough to fit on a keychain, Openterface KVM-GO is a tiny, open-source hardware KVM-over-USB gadget available with an HDMI, DisplayPort (DP), or VGA connector and is designed for headless device troubleshooting and remote server monitoring.
It follows the company’s earlier Mini-KVM KVM-over-USB device introduced in 2024 with HDMI and audio inputs. The new KVM-GO is more versatile with an HDMI, DP, or VGA connector, and does not require any video cable since it’s designed to be connected directly to the target device. It also adds a microSD card slot for easy OS installation.
Openterface KVM-GO specifications:
- Microcontroller – WCH CH32V208 RISC-V MCU @ up to 144 MHz with Bluetooth LE, USB 2.0
- Storage – MicroSD card for remote OS installation and file transfers
- Control method – KVM-over-USB
- Video capture
- Up to 4K @ 60 Hz
- Input port – HDMI, DisplayPort, or VGA, depending on model (direct connection to target, no cable needed)
- Audio capture – Via HDMI or DisplayPort
- Text transfer
- Host → Target: Send usernames, passwords, or code snippets via emulated keyboard strokes
- Target → Host: Copy text from the target’s screen to the host via OCR (macOS only)
- USB
- USB 2.0 Type-C port to connect to one of the target board’s USB Type-A/C ports
- USB 2.0 Type-C port to connect to the host
- BIOS access – Direct access to the target device’s BIOS for firmware updates and startup management.
- Power Supply – Via USB-C from the host computer
- Dimensions – Small enough to carry on your keychain.
- Weight – About 25 to 35 grams
The host application is available for macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and soon iPadOS. You can find the source code and, soon, the hardware design files on GitHub in the following repositories:
- Openterface_MacOS – Host Applications for MacOS
- Openterface_QT – Host Applications for Windows and Linux
- Openterface_Android – Host Applications for Android Support
- Openterface_KVM-GO_Hardware – Hardware Design, Schematics and Components
No setup and no app is required on the target device. You just need to connect a USB-C to USB-C/A cable between the KVM and the target, and a USB-C to USB-C/A cable to the host where the Openterface program is installed. An example is shown below with an NVIDIA Jetson Developer Kit, the KVM-GO device, and what looks like an iPad.
While KVM-over-IP devices are more common, the KVM-GO is not the first KVM-over-USB solution around, as besides the company’s Mini-KVM, Sipeed’s NanoKVM-USB and Cytrence Kiwi KVM. The company provided a comparison against all those, also adding the JetKVM and PiKVM V4 Plus IP KVMs to the list.
The KVM-GO ships with a “toolkit bag” (carrying case), a 0.5m black Type-C to USB-A cable with Type-C adapter for target connection, a 1.5m orange Type-C to Type-C cable with USB-A adapter for host connection, a 3D printed cap with microSD card holder, and a Quick Start Guide.
Openterface KVM-GO was introduced on Crowd Supply, and while the crowdfunding campaign recently completed, you can still pre-order a kit for $119 with any of the models or $319 for a kit with all three variants (HDMI, VGA, and DP).
Thanks to TLS for the tip.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
Support CNX Software! Donate via cryptocurrencies, become a Patron on Patreon, or purchase goods on Amazon or Aliexpress. We also use affiliate links in articles to earn commissions if you make a purchase after clicking on those links.
