diff --git a/src/sk8plotlib/input.py b/src/sk8plotlib/input.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..800b62b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/sk8plotlib/input.py
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+class UserInput:
+    def __init__(self, fig):
+        self.fig = fig
+        self._held_keys = set()
+        fig.canvas.mpl_connect("key_press_event", self.key_press_handler)
+        fig.canvas.mpl_connect("key_release_event", self.key_release_handler)
+
+    def key_press_handler(self, event):
+        self._held_keys.add(event.key)
+
+    def key_release_handler(self, event):
+        self._held_keys.remove(event.key)
+
+    def left_right_input(self):
+        """Calculates the difference in left/right input."""
+        output = 0
+        if "right" in self._held_keys:
+            output += 1
+        if "left" in self._held_keys:
+            output -= 1
+        return output
+
+    def up_down_input(self):
+        """Calculates the difference in left/right input."""
+        output = 0
+        if "up" in self._held_keys:
+            output += 1
+        if "down" in self._held_keys:
+            output -= 1
+        return output