A content creator has come up with one of the strangest traffic gadgets yet: a device that lets drivers stuck behind you scroll TikTok just by honking their horn.
The invention comes from the popular channel Unnecessary Inventions, where creator Matty Benedetto builds intentionally impractical but clever gadgets. In this case, the idea was to make traffic jams “a little more enjoyable” by turning impatient honks into a way to interact with a TikTok feed mounted on the back of a car.
The setup is simple in concept but smart in execution. A tablet is attached to the rear of the vehicle, playing a continuous TikTok feed. Built into the system is a microphone that listens for loud sounds. When a driver behind honks, the microphone detects the noise and triggers the tablet to scroll to the next video automatically.
To build it, Benedetto started with a circuit board originally designed to scroll TikTok using a physical button. He soldered wires to the button contacts so the circuit could be triggered electronically. Then he connected the system to a microprocessor and a microphone programmed to react to sharp sounds like a car horn. Every honk acts like a button press, skipping to the next clip.
The final version was housed in custom 3D-printed parts and fitted with a strong magnet so the entire device could stick securely to a car without permanent installation.
While clearly not meant to be practical, the honk-controlled TikTok device is a perfect example of how technology and humor can collide, turning everyday frustration into a bizarre form of entertainment on the road.