Author Topic: ErgoTravel (ErgoT) - The small luggable Ergonomic keyboard  (Read 156115 times)

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Offline MOZ

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Re: ErgoTravel (ErgoT) - The small luggable Ergonomic keyboard
« Reply #50 on: Tue, 28 January 2014, 08:22:34 »
Show Image


Regack if I'm understanding this picture correctly, you've designed a PCB for a 60% split keyboard layout that can not only be used for both the left- and right-hand sides of the keyboard but can also be converted to a 40% design simply by breaking away the top row?

I guess from the lack of comments that this kind of thing is totally commonplace and no big deal. But I'm slackjawed and mindblown. What a beautiful design!

This should make for awesome economies of scale if there's ever a group-buy.

It is actually one PCB which is reversible, and no this not the usual 60%, but is 58 keys.

Offline daerid

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Re: ErgoTravel (ErgoT) - The small luggable Ergonomic keyboard
« Reply #51 on: Tue, 28 January 2014, 10:44:30 »
I approve whole heartedly of this project. I would gladly purchase one.

Offline MOZ

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Re: ErgoTravel (ErgoT) - The small luggable Ergonomic keyboard
« Reply #52 on: Tue, 28 January 2014, 12:27:43 »
This is going to move forward, I just need ot sort a couple of things, I most likely will continue work on the PCB myself and offload duties from regack.

Offline technomancy

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Re: ErgoTravel (ErgoT) - The small luggable Ergonomic keyboard
« Reply #53 on: Tue, 28 January 2014, 13:24:14 »
Fascinating. I love my Ergodox to death, but it's a bit of a hassle to haul around when I work from coffee shops and such.

I wonder how difficult it would be to mod the design to replace the 2x thumb keys with two 1x keys? For me personally I'd much rather have the extra two keys since space is at such a premium.

It looks like you're mounting the ATMega directly on the PCB rather than using a Teensy; is that right? I guess that's probably the only way to make it fit? I was wondering how tough it would be to wire this up by hand without waiting for the PCB design to be finalized, but if the design assumes an SMD ATMega that's not going to fly.

Offline MOZ

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Re: ErgoTravel (ErgoT) - The small luggable Ergonomic keyboard
« Reply #54 on: Tue, 28 January 2014, 13:33:49 »
Fascinating. I love my Ergodox to death, but it's a bit of a hassle to haul around when I work from coffee shops and such.

I wonder how difficult it would be to mod the design to replace the 2x thumb keys with two 1x keys? For me personally I'd much rather have the extra two keys since space is at such a premium.

It looks like you're mounting the ATMega directly on the PCB rather than using a Teensy; is that right? I guess that's probably the only way to make it fit? I was wondering how tough it would be to wire this up by hand without waiting for the PCB design to be finalized, but if the design assumes an SMD ATMega that's not going to fly.

The final design would have the option to choose between 2x 1u keys or 1x 2u key for the thumb. Regarding the Teensy, yes, the Atmega32u4 microcontroller and all other controller related components are SMD mounted to conserve space and I personally believe that is the way forward with keyboard designing as it can be pick-n-place manufactured, saves space, now that I am designing PCB, I feel it makes it easier. Many components are only SMD available, however everything has solder leads, so it is just like through-hole soldering, just slightly smaller.

Offline zed

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Re: ErgoTravel (ErgoT) - The small luggable Ergonomic keyboard
« Reply #55 on: Tue, 04 February 2014, 09:11:01 »
Have we gotten any kinds of head way with this project? I would love to get one of these.

Offline flac.head

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Re: ErgoTravel (ErgoT) - The small luggable Ergonomic keyboard
« Reply #56 on: Tue, 04 February 2014, 12:24:52 »
Yea this looks very interesting, I may be interested in the future  :-*

Offline daerid

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Re: ErgoTravel (ErgoT) - The small luggable Ergonomic keyboard
« Reply #57 on: Mon, 24 February 2014, 12:42:50 »
A bluetooth module would make this the ultimate in travel boards.

Offline SeeThruHead

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Re: ErgoTravel (ErgoT) - The small luggable Ergonomic keyboard
« Reply #58 on: Thu, 03 April 2014, 03:00:35 »
Also very interested in this.
    

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Offline berserkfan

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Re: ErgoTravel (ErgoT) - The small luggable Ergonomic keyboard
« Reply #59 on: Fri, 04 April 2014, 15:14:09 »
necro bump; just a word to support Moz. Hope it all comes through eventually!
Most of the modding can be done on your own once you break through the psychological barriers.

Offline xman

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Re: ErgoTravel (ErgoT) - The small luggable Ergonomic keyboard
« Reply #60 on: Fri, 02 May 2014, 00:01:31 »

Offline xman

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Re: ErgoTravel (ErgoT) - The small luggable Ergonomic keyboard
« Reply #61 on: Fri, 02 May 2014, 00:08:49 »
I went a little crazy:



This ErgoT project looks impressive! 


With all the options you show with this...
http://geekhack.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=48718.0;attach=36220

...you might as well have a totally separated true split option, also.
Besides the great ergonomic advantage, that would also make it easier
to store/pack for travel.  And I think a cord is more robust & would
survive the stress/flex of travel better than a hinge or ball joint.


If the ball joint could be separated, you could have it both ways...
attached with a ball joint, or separated apart & using a long cord.


Or you could use a _detachable_ cord to connect the 2 halves
and choose which of 2 different types of cords to use...
   Use a short thick semi-stiff/semi-flex cord to function
something like a ball joint when you do not need separation.
   Use a long thin fully flexible cord for true split separation.


Offline jamadagni

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Re: ErgoTravel (ErgoT) - The small luggable Ergonomic keyboard
« Reply #62 on: Mon, 06 July 2015, 06:08:02 »
Is this project abandoned? Sure looks interesting...

Offline ErgoMacros

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Re: ErgoTravel (ErgoT) - The small luggable Ergonomic keyboard
« Reply #63 on: Fri, 13 July 2018, 18:03:16 »
Just came across this, years later. Quite an interesting project. I hope MOZ was able to complete it.

It seems to me that a lot of the goals are realized in the much later (April 2017) Mitosis.
   https://imgur.com/a/mwTFj#JTzXTCD

Each side is about 5x5 instead of the ErgoT 4x6. Uses wireless to avoid the cable from side-to-side. No hinge, but may still be quite portable.
Today's quote: '...“but then the customer successfully broke that.”

Offline fpazos

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Re: ErgoTravel (ErgoT) - The small luggable Ergonomic keyboard
« Reply #64 on: Sun, 15 July 2018, 10:19:06 »
What an interesting keyboard!! I'm actually working on a portable ergo but its design is more focused on a good way to transport it, than being a keyboard good for using it everywhere, more as a keyboard to carry to work . Some pics:
It uses magnets to join the two halves.