Reading 16 Rotary encoders with as little pins as possible on an UNO?

Using Arduino Project Guidance
#1

Hi there,

I'm looking to build a project with 16 rotary encoders. I just need to know the left or right rotation and print it out to the serial to read in another program. Any suggestions of how I may approach this on an UNO? or any other board suggestions? I'm super new to this stuff. Not sure if a multiplexer is something i should be looking for?

Thanks!

#2

You're going to be hard pressed to do that with an UNO. You really need 32 pins if you need to know direction. Probably need to go with a Mega for this one. You really can't do an encoder through a multiplexer or a pin expander unless it will only be turning very very very slowly.

#3