A Reddit user with the nickname ConroyyJenkinss solved a problem familiar to many portable device owners in an unusual way: relatives regularly took his Steam Deck without permission, drained the battery, and forgot to charge the console.
The author shared his project on the subreddit dedicated to Steam Deck. The basis of the design was a 3D-printed protective case with spikes, the model of which was created in Blender. Such a case makes the console extremely uncomfortable to hold.
However, the modification did not stop there. ConroyyJenkinss connected a Raspberry Pi, a camera with object recognition, and a speaker to the system. A Python script tracks attempts to pick up the device, then plays a humorous audio file, and a few seconds later activates an electroshock device installed on top.
Despite its formidable appearance, the electroshock device is not intended to cause harm. According to the author, it is positioned so that it cannot touch a person and serves solely to intimidate potential Steam Deck "thieves."
When asked why simply setting a password wasn't enough, the enthusiast replied that his goal was to prevent anyone from touching the console without permission at all. According to him, relatives now have to ask for permission before taking the device.
The developer himself admits that the project is more humorous and experimental in nature. Moreover, removing the protective case and disabling the electroshock device is not so easy, so using the system daily is not very convenient.