AirTurn
Firmware platform, companion apps, and developer SDK for Bluetooth pedals and remotes used in music, accessibility, and presentation workflows.
Services Provided
Technologies
Overview
AirTurn pedals and handheld remotes allow musicians to turn pages in sheet music apps, advance presentation slides, control media playback, improve accessibility, or perform complex custom actions, all hands-free via Bluetooth.
NRB Tech has been AirTurn’s development partner for over a decade, responsible for firmware across the product line, iOS and macOS companion applications, and the SDK that third-party iOS developers use to add AirTurn support to their apps.
Next-Generation Firmware Platform
In 2025, we completed a major migration of AirTurn’s firmware to a modern, field-updatable architecture based on the nRF Connect SDK and Zephyr RTOS. The new platform makes feature delivery faster, reduces long-term platform risk, and gives AirTurn a stronger foundation for future products.
Key outcomes:
- Future-Proof Platform — Built on nRF Connect SDK and Zephyr RTOS for long-term stability, security, and maintainability
- Field Updates — New features and fixes can be deployed via Over-the-Air updates, extending product lifespan without hardware recalls
- Hall Effect Sensor Calibration — Dynamic calibration for analog buttons keeps pedal feel consistent despite temperature changes or component drift
- GoPro Camera Integration — Direct Bluetooth LE control allows performers to start and stop recordings and monitor camera status from their pedals
- Improved user experience — Multi-colour LED feedback and a flexible configuration system make the devices easier to understand and adapt
Companion Apps
The AirTurn Manager app supports the full customer journey, from pairing through configuration and ongoing firmware updates, with a consistent experience across platforms:
- Cross-Platform — Available for iPhone and iPad, Mac, and Android
- In-App Firmware Updates — Updates happen in-app with progress tracking and automatic rollback if anything goes wrong
- Flexible Configuration — Customers can remap buttons, adjust behaviour, and tailor each device to their workflow
A next-generation companion, AirTurn Studio, is in development for the latest hardware. Built natively in SwiftUI for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, it introduces one-tap pairing using Apple’s AccessorySetupKit—pairing a device as easily as AirPods.
Android Media Service
Android users get the same seamless media control experience, with intelligent Play/Pause and track control that continues to work when the app is in the background.
Developer Ecosystem
A third-party developer framework enables iOS app developers to add native AirTurn support, expanding the ecosystem of compatible apps and increasing the value of the hardware platform.
Technical Foundation
The platform includes the release and manufacturing infrastructure needed for long-term reliability:
- Manufacturing Integration — Devices ship ready to use with provisioning data injected during production
- Automated Testing — Hundreds of BLE communication scenarios are validated before every release
- Protocol Buffers — Standardised communication keeps firmware and app changes aligned across platforms