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Short answer: The project published on August 25, 2015, used a Raspberry Pi 2 Model B running Windows 10 IoT Core to drive a 5 V relay. The relay switched a small conductive-foil pad against a capacitive touchscreen, creating repeated physical taps rather than software-generated mouse or touch events. It was demonstrated with Cookie Clicker and is best understood today as a historical Windows IoT and GPIO prototype.
The original Hackster title misspells capacitive as “capactive.” See the original Hackster project and Microsoft’s companion WinCoder video.
What the project actually did
This was not a touchscreen-driver hack or a USB-mouse emulator. A Windows IoT Core application changed a Raspberry Pi GPIO output; that output operated a relay; the relay connected and disconnected a conductive foil contact positioned over a target on the screen.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Windows IoT Core app → Raspberry Pi GPIO → 5 V relay → foil pad → capacitive touchscreenA capacitive panel senses changes in an electric field or local capacitance. A finger is conductive and alters that field. A foil pad can produce a similar change when its size, spacing, grounding/reference path and screen geometry are suitable. The method is therefore experimental: different panels, screen protectors and controllers can respond differently.
#1 Best Overall
- 7 inches, 800x480 pixels, IPS type, wide viewing angle, capacitive touchscreen, enjoy smooth touch response and excellent clarity for all your Raspberry Pi projects.
- Specially designed, simply connect to your raspberry pi's MIPI DSI interface. (No additional connections required.)
- Fully Compatible with Raspberry Pi 5/ 4B / 3B+ / 3B / 3A+ / 2B. (No HDMI port, not compatible with any other device.)
- Supports for Raspbian OS 2 points to zoom the page(old version), for Ubuntu/Kali/Win10 IoT (single-touch only). Support backlight brightness adjustment.
- Easy to use, no configuration required, plug and play (for new and configuration unchanged raspberry pi systems). Instructions was provided.
Historical parts list
- Raspberry Pi 2 Model B
- Windows IoT Core-compatible microSD card and display
- 5 V, one-channel relay module
- Jumper wires
- Tin foil and tape
- Keyboard, mouse, suitable 5 V power supply and network connection for deployment
The Pi 2 was described in the 2015 material as a 1 GB, 900 MHz quad-core board. The relay model, GPIO number, foil dimensions and exact grounding arrangement are not reliably stated in the indexed project text; verify them from the project’s schematic or source repository rather than guessing.
Why the relay-and-foil method works
- The application drives a digital GPIO state.
- The relay module’s input energizes or releases its coil (some modules are active-low).
- The relay contacts switch the foil touch element.
- The touchscreen sees a touch-like electrical transition.
- Repeated state changes create repeated taps.
The relay provides a real physical interaction, which is useful when the display exposes no software API. It also introduces limitations: mechanical bounce, audible operation, finite contact life and a modest practical click rate. A foil pad is not guaranteed to behave like a human finger; contact area, protector thickness, grounding, alignment and controller sensitivity all matter.
Historical Windows IoT Core workflow
The software stack consisted of Windows IoT Core on the Pi 2, a Visual Studio Windows application, a XAML user interface and GPIO APIs. The Microsoft demonstration shows creating the project through Visual Studio’s File → New workflow, deploying it to the Pi and using it to collect Cookie Clicker points. A related WinCoder episode describes the period device-management web portal, including access through port 8080.
Rank #2
- 7inch capacitive touch screen, 1024x600 resolution, IPS full angle display, with the characteristics of real and vivid color display and excellent dynamic image quality. tempered glass touch panel, supports five -point touch.
- Perfectly adapt to the Raspberry Pi. The packaging comes with the Raspberry Pi 3B/4B adapters, making the screen and the motherboard connect more convenient. Also you can use it with other mainstream development boards such as Banana Pi, BB BLACK etc.
- Support audio output, with portable stereo dual speakers and 3.5 mm headphone jacks, which provides excellent audio experience. In addition you can easily adjust the volume and brightness settings by the dial switch.
- Plug and use without driving. It can not only be used as a game console monitor, but also can be used as a computer split screen display and supports Win10/Win8/Win7 system.DIY by yourself.
- HDMI cables and USB power cables are provided, especially the HDMI adapters on the Raspberry Pi board so that you can easily connect without additional cables, and use with a stand to make your desk cleaner and easier to operate!
Those labels and tools are version-specific. They should not be presented as current setup instructions: Windows IoT Core images, Visual Studio compatibility, SDKs, portal behavior and deployment support have changed or disappeared. The associated Microsoft material is available from the historical deployment video.
A defensible reconstruction sequence
1. Prepare the historical platform
Obtain a Pi 2, a period-compatible Windows IoT Core image, microSD card, display and networked development PC. Exact image and Visual Studio versions must be taken from the original project or archived documentation; no verified command-line installation path is supplied here.
2. Build the low-voltage circuit
Use a relay module with a documented 3.3 V-compatible control input and an onboard driver/flyback arrangement. Connect its control, power and ground as specified by that module. Connect the foil only to the relay’s switched contact side. Do not apply an external or hazardous voltage to the touchscreen.
Rank #3
- 5-inch 800*480 resolution capacitive touch screen, IPS type, good viewing angle.
- The MIPI DSI interface directly outputs, plug and play, no driver installation required.
- As a touchscreen monitor, compatible with Raspberry Pi 5 / 4B / 3B+ / 3B / 3A+ / 2B / 1B+ / 1A+. (No HDMI. Not compatible with any other devices.)
- Supports for Raspbian OS 2 points to zoom the page(old version), for Ubuntu/Kali/Win10 IoT (single-touch only). Support PWM backlight brightness adjustment.
- Easy to use -> No configuration required (for new and configuration unchanged systems). Provide detailed usage documentation.
Never power a bare relay coil directly from a Raspberry Pi GPIO. GPIO pins cannot safely supply typical coil current. Confirm whether the module is active-high or active-low and whether the selected GPIO is available under the chosen IoT Core image. Because the indexed text does not verify the original pin assignment, do not copy an unconfirmed pin number.
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3. Mount and calibrate the foil
Tape a small foil pad over the intended button, touching or sitting very close to the glass without scratching it. Start with a single relay actuation. If the panel does not respond, vary pad size, spacing, reference/ground path and position. A thick screen protector or a display designed with unusual sensing geometry may prevent reliable detection.
4. Deploy and test slowly
Build the XAML application in the period Visual Studio environment, deploy it over the network, and verify GPIO initialization. Test the relay without the screen, then perform one foil tap, then increase repetition gradually. A practical interface should include start/stop, a visible relay/GPIO state, an adjustable interval, a manual single-step button, an emergency stop or timeout, and clear GPIO error reporting.
Rank #4
- HD Visual Enjoyment: The 7-inch touchscreen supports 1024x600 resolution, IPS screen helps keep colors consistent and gives you a crystal-clear viewing experience at a 170° wide viewing angle. And the screen requires a wired connection for use
- Wide Compatibility: The mini monitor is fully compatible with Raspberry Pi 5, 4, 3B+, 3B, 2B+, BB Black, Banana Pi, Jetson Nano, and other mainstream mini computers. It also supports Windows 10/8/7
- Sensitive Touch Screen: The capacitive touchscreen supports up to 5-point touch, No driver installation is required; simply connect the Raspberry Pi and the monitor via the Micro USB and HDMI ports to use it immediately
- Plug and Play Display: Simply connect the screen to the device through the HD port and power on the USB port to achieve the function. The screen adopts a bezel-free design, convenient for you to better use and transform
- Multi-scenario Application: The touch screen can be used as a universal small HDMI-compatible screen for connecting computers, TV boxes, and game consoles, or as a computer temperature monitor
Troubleshooting
Relay does not move
- Check the selected GPIO and initialization errors.
- Verify module input voltage, active-low behavior and shared ground.
- Confirm that the 5 V supply can power both the Pi and relay module.
- Check that the module includes an appropriate transistor driver and flyback protection.
Screen does not register a tap
- Reposition or reduce the foil pad.
- Check the relay contact wiring and reference/ground path.
- Try a longer touch duration and slower transitions.
- Account for screen-protector thickness and controller sensitivity.
Multiple or missed taps
Mechanical contact bounce, vibration, excessive foil area, electrical noise or an interval shorter than the panel’s debounce time can cause this. Begin with slow, single-step operation and add a software delay between transitions.
Pi resets or becomes unstable
Suspect inadequate power, poor wiring, coil transients or noise. Keep relay current off the GPIO supply path, use a properly protected module, and separate the low-voltage control wiring from the switched contact side.
Can it be rebuilt in 2026?
The physical concept remains straightforward, but an exact reproduction is difficult. The Pi 2 is obsolete, and the Windows IoT Core image, SDK, Visual Studio version and deployment tools used in 2015 may require archived media and an older Windows development environment. The indexed sources do not establish that the referenced code repository is still available or buildable.
Best Value
- 7’’ IPS LCD standard display, 1024 × 600 Hardware resolution, Up to 1920x1080 software configuration resolution.
- Capacitive touch screen, maximum support 5 point touch.Support backlight control alone, the backlight can be turned off to save power.
- Not only Support for Raspberry Pi(Raspberry Pi5/Pi4/Pi3/Pi2/ZERO W), BB Black, Banana Pi and other mainstream mini PC,but also can be used as general-purpose-use HDMI monitor, for example: connect with a computer HDMI as the sub-display.
- Used as a raspberry pi display that supports Raspbian, Ubuntu, Kali-Linux, Kodi, win10 IOT, free driver, plug and play.
- Work as a PC monitor, support win7, win8, win10 system 5 point touch (XP and older version system: single-point touch), free driver.
A current Raspberry Pi running Linux, or an Arduino-class microcontroller, is usually the practical route. It can drive a properly protected relay, MOSFET, transistor or solid-state switch with a timing loop and safety stop. That is a new implementation, not a drop-in continuation of the Windows IoT Core project. A commercial USB/HID device or direct software automation may be simpler when the target application permits it, but neither reproduces the original physical experiment.
Safety and responsible use
- Keep this project at safe, low voltage; do not switch mains for a touchscreen experiment.
- Do not connect relay-coil current directly to a GPIO pin.
- Verify the relay module’s ratings, driver and flyback protection.
- Prevent foil or wiring from introducing voltage to the display surface.
- Automated clicking may violate a game or service’s rules; Cookie Clicker was the historical demonstration, not proof of universal compatibility.
What is documented—and what is not
Documented facts include the August 25, 2015 publication date, Pi 2 Model B, Windows IoT Core, a 5 V relay, foil, tape, XAML/GPIO development, Visual Studio deployment and the Cookie Clicker demonstration. Exact GPIO assignment, relay model, foil size, timing values and a current build recipe are not verified by the supplied sources. Treat any one-to-one wiring or timing guide as authoritative only after checking the original schematic, repository or video.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this project send software touch events?
No. It uses a relay and conductive foil to create a physical, touch-like electrical change at the screen.
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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Will the foil work on every capacitive touchscreen?
No. Results depend on the panel, protector, foil geometry, grounding/reference path, alignment and timing.
Is Windows IoT Core on Raspberry Pi 2 still an easy build in 2026?
No. The hardware concept is clear, but the 2015 image, SDK, Visual Studio and deployment stack may require archived tooling and are not verified as currently buildable.
The Bottom Line
The project is a neat historical demonstration of GPIO-controlled physical interaction: Raspberry Pi 2 and Windows IoT Core switch a relay, and the relay moves a conductive foil “finger.” Rebuilding the circuit is possible in principle, but an exact Windows IoT Core reproduction is an archival exercise; a modern Linux or microcontroller remake is the more practical choice.
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