Keyboards in development + Custom keyboards

[hoggy]

I thought it would be nice for us to have a thread where we could share news about up and coming ergonomic stuff.

The combimouse project is continuing.  The developer is struggling through, even though he hasn't secured the all of the funding he needed. http://combimouse.com/


I believe Obra (part of keyboard.io) is about to take his keyboard to Kickstarter soon.  I'm assuming that it'll look something like one of his custom keyboards from this thread http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=52639.0.
http://launch.keyboard.io/


[edit: updated the link to Obra's keyboard]

[jacobolus]

I believe Obra (part of keyboard.io) is about to take his keyboard to Kickstarter soon.  I'm assuming that it'll look something like one of his custom keyboards from this thread http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=46087.msg1170946#msg1170946.
http://launch.keyboard.io/

The relevant thread is http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=52639

[hoggy]

Thanks, I've updated the OP.

I've noticed maltron have a new projects section - currently it's listing a beep option for it's expanded Keyboard - I'm hoping they'll add it to their range of 2d and 3d keyboards.  Last year there were rumours of a programmable keyboard - which we might have seen a hint of in the bespoke keyboard they have on their site.

[hoggy]

Kinesis have recently revamped their site http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/ with more accessories than I remember from before including keysets. 

[Lanx]

wow holy ****, hello rip off kinesis
12 bucks to ship replacement palm pads?

same price but 4$ shipping

[vivalarevolución]

Thanks, I've updated the OP.

I've noticed maltron have a new projects section - currently it's listing a beep option for it's expanded Keyboard - I'm hoping they'll add it to their range of 2d and 3d keyboards.  Last year there were rumours of a programmable keyboard - which we might have seen a hint of in the bespoke keyboard they have on their site.

I think Maltron did make some programmable keyboards for custom orders, so I imagine they could make one if you inquired.  But when they make them available on standard order is a mystery.

Kinesis have recently revamped their site http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/ with more accessories than I remember from before including keysets. 

The site looks nice.  Good to see they finally moved it's design out of the 20th century.

[SonOfSonOfSpock]

Matias has their Ergo Pro coming out in August. Kinesis has said they are going to have a new Advantage out this year. Nothing concrete on that though.

Matias Ergo Pro: http://matias.ca/ergopro/pc/

Kinesis thread asking for suggestions: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=36195.0

[Oobly]

I believe AcidFire will have his design at a booth at the Seattle Mini Maker Fair (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44940.msg1208755#msg1208755) and wants to start a Kickstarter round for his Nexus when the design is finalized, too. It's a split ergo board with angled thumb clusters.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44940.0

[vivalarevolución]

Matias has their Ergo Pro coming out in August. Kinesis has said they are going to have a new Advantage out this year. Nothing concrete on that though.

Matias Ergo Pro: http://matias.ca/ergopro/pc/

Kinesis thread asking for suggestions: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=36195.0

Kinesis said they would have a new one by the end of next year.  I'm not holding out.

[Lanx]

did anyone tell kinesis to just make a keywell version of the ergo dox? since you know that's what kinesis does!

[vivalarevolución]

did anyone tell kinesis to just make a keywell version of the ergo dox? since you know that's what kinesis does!

Then the keyboard would lose those awesome calculator F-keys.  Not sure I could deal with that.

[Snarfangel]

did anyone tell kinesis to just make a keywell version of the ergo dox? since you know that's what kinesis does!

Then the keyboard would lose those awesome calculator F-keys.  Not sure I could deal with that.

You could always stick a number pad in the center, and pretend you have a Maltron. Though that may need something like a small POS keyboard. Maybe a Tipro?

[hoggy]

The ergo duck is worth a look.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=55954.0

[rsantos97]

did anyone tell kinesis to just make a keywell version of the ergo dox? since you know that's what kinesis does!

Then the keyboard would lose those awesome calculator F-keys.  Not sure I could deal with that.

You could always stick a number pad in the center, and pretend you have a Maltron. Though that may need something like a small POS keyboard. Maybe a Tipro?

You know what's funny, is that I actually did that at work when I needed to input a lot of numbers.  It worked great too.

[natas206]

wow holy ****, hello rip off kinesis
12 bucks to ship replacement palm pads?

same price but 4$ shipping

That's for UPS ground. You can always have our sales team send the palm pads US mail which is much cheaper.

did anyone tell kinesis to just make a keywell version of the ergo dox? since you know that's what kinesis does!

Then the keyboard would lose those awesome calculator F-keys.  Not sure I could deal with that.

It's stated in the suggestions thread that we are replacing the current rubber function rows. Release date is still not known yet but obviously shooting for this year (still working out some kinks in the firmware).

[hoggy]

Keyboard.io have a survey on at the moment -

http://bit.ly/1kvirY0

(http://blog.keyboard.io/)

[davkol]

czarek is working on a keyboard physically identical to ErgoDox, but wireless and with a different (cheaper) controller. source

[Thanatermesis]

Anybody knows if is possible to add more keys to the ErgoDox ? I mean, without make a new PCB (but hack it if needed), Im going to make an ergonomic ergodox and I want to see if i can possibly add more keys (before to buy them!)

[hoggy]

Another new one.


http://uniquekeyboard.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=64&product_id=135

[hoggy]

There's also the Ultimate Hacking Keyboard

https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/

[jeffgran]

This one looks extremely interesting to me: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/70308014/kings-assembly-a-computer-mouse-full-of-awesome?ref=discovery

[Input Nirvana]

WOW!
"interesting" is an understatement.
Great thread.

So much excitement in 2014 verses 2009 when I fell into GH. There are the custom/start ups/personal designs as well as the ergo mainstays doing updates/new designs/making announcements. Win-Win for everybody.

[jacobolus]

This one looks extremely interesting to me: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/70308014/kings-assembly-a-computer-mouse-full-of-awesome

There are a couple of relevant geekhack threads:
A few months before the kickstart campaign: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=51276.0
When the kickstart campaign went up: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=54723.30

[hoggy]

[snip]
So much excitement in 2014 verses 2009 when I fell into GH. There are the custom/start ups/personal designs as well as the ergo mainstays doing updates/new designs/making announcements. Win-Win for everybody.

We're finally having a new wave of ergonomic keyboards, it's been so long since the 90's.  The next few years could even be better!

[Input Nirvana]

[snip]
So much excitement in 2014 verses 2009 when I fell into GH. There are the custom/start ups/personal designs as well as the ergo mainstays doing updates/new designs/making announcements. Win-Win for everybody.

We're finally having a new wave of ergonomic keyboards, it's been so long since the 90's.  The next few years could even be better!

I agree. I think the first wave (90's) showed what could happen, some designs fleshed out...and now there is pent up demand and more education, and even more usage, as well as more willingness to pay a premium when needed. Fortunately, technology and engineering has evolved to a more easily reachable level for the lowly hobbyist, and the hobbiest/enthusiast is driving a large part of the ergo movement...because the cost is relatively low for these limited production runs. Hello truly custom keyboards.

[Niomosy]

I'm glad to see more ergo boards coming out.

Now if MS would just get on the mech bandwagon and release a 4000 with reds, I'd be set for life.  The 4k layout (the old 90s tented layout) with mechanical switches is all I really ask.  6 key on the left, tented, standard ANSI layout.  It would be the perfect keyboard for me.  Sadly, no one seems to want to make an ergo ANSI layout board with mech switches.

AcidFire's board still holds good promise, at least from what I've seen.  I've been keeping an eye on that one.

[jacobolus]

Sadly, no one seems to want to make an ergo ANSI layout board with mech switches.

Have you seen the upcoming Matias ErgoPro? It was linked a bit upthread, but here’s the link again: http://matias.ca/ergopro/pc/

[Niomosy]

Sadly, no one seems to want to make an ergo ANSI layout board with mech switches.

Have you seen the upcoming Matias ErgoPro? It was linked a bit upthread, but here�s the link again: http://matias.ca/ergopro/pc/

Show Image

One flaw.  With me looking to go back into playing WoW, the 6 on the right-hand side causes me grief as I make heavy use of 1-6 (or did, at least.  I haven't played in over a year and not sure what's changed).  For now, I'll wait.

[Keymonger]

This one looks extremely interesting to me: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/70308014/kings-assembly-a-computer-mouse-full-of-awesome?ref=discovery

Show Image

Holy bananas. This is so much like the keyboard I designed (on paper). But it's not quite the same. I'm not sure what to think. I want to say my design is vastly superior but I don't want to dismiss these guys as they actually made a working model unlike me.

[jacobolus]

Holy bananas. This is so much like the keyboard I designed (on paper).

Have a picture?

[Keymonger]

Holy bananas. This is so much like the keyboard I designed (on paper).

Have a picture?

I'd rather not show anything until I know it actually works. That king's assembly is very similar to what I had in mind when I first started thinking about a keyboard mouse amalgamation. But I ditched it 'cause I thought it just wouldn't be good enough. Now I have something else in mind. Unfortunately I haven't worked out it for almost two years so it's been collecting dust. About a week or two ago I picked it up again and started working on the mockup which I hope is almost done. Design is hard, yo.

[Sc0tTy]

Sadly, no one seems to want to make an ergo ANSI layout board with mech switches.

Have you seen the upcoming Matias ErgoPro? It was linked a bit upthread, but here�s the link again: http://matias.ca/ergopro/pc/

Show Image

Having two Kinesis Freestyles this board looks very good, to bad you are using a staggered layout. Any reason why its not a matrix layout?

[JackMills]

Sadly, no one seems to want to make an ergo ANSI layout board with mech switches.

Have you seen the upcoming Matias ErgoPro? It was linked a bit upthread, but here�s the link again: http://matias.ca/ergopro/pc/

Show Image

Having two Kinesis Freestyles this board looks very good, to bad you are using a staggered layout. Any reason why its not a matrix layout?

In its own thread the developer commented on this:

Thanks for the comments and questions...

As someone suggested, we went with staggered to ease the transition for people coming from a standard keyboard.

The flat angle is zero degrees.  It can be negatively tilted 4.5 degrees or centre tented 9 degrees.

The left spacebar is not programmable.

[yasuo]

i like the font with corrector pen

[Niomosy]

Sadly, no one seems to want to make an ergo ANSI layout board with mech switches.

Have you seen the upcoming Matias ErgoPro? It was linked a bit upthread, but here�s the link again: http://matias.ca/ergopro/pc/

Show Image

Having two Kinesis Freestyles this board looks very good, to bad you are using a staggered layout. Any reason why its not a matrix layout?

Honestly, some of us don't want much more than an MS Ergo with mechanical switches.  The matrix layouts, for me, always end up having some flaw or another.  The Matias is the closest to perfect mech for me out there.

[hoggy]

Keymouse on Kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1666150716/keymousetm-the-keyboard-and-mouse-re-invented/description

Some of the buttons are a bit small...

There's a thread in Input Devices here https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=67354.0

[Sc0tTy]

That KeyMouse looks awesome! The keys on it and the size make it look very cramped though. I also wonder if it won't be to heavy to mouse around too.

[hoggy]

The weight problem is the problem that has been holding the combimouse back.  The keymouse looks seriously heavy in comparison.

[derezzed]

The King's Assembly was on my wishlist but seeing the Keymouse prompted me to revisit the King's Assembly Kickstarter page and I now think, that for me, both of these keyboards would introduce just as many problems as they solve.  The King's Assembly's straight matrix layout seems like it would be too unwieldy for the degree of curvature it presents and my large hands.  Like Sc0tTy said, the Keymouse button layout seems far too dense.  It kind of reminds me of the old Casio data organizers.


I'm still interested in the Matias Ergo Pro but I'm going to continue to hold out for one of the Ergodox variants currently in development by various GeekHackers. 

[KeyMouse]

That KeyMouse looks awesome! The keys on it and the size make it look very cramped though. I also wonder if it won't be to heavy to mouse around too.

We're glad you like the design. The keys were definitely too cramped on our prototype.
Here's some of the changes we're making to the next prototypes:
• Switched to Cherry MX Brown keyswitches (we had used Cherry ML switches in our first prototypes)
• Slightly larger keycaps with a little more spacing
• Added LED backlighting
• Added USB interface for even lower latency (new one will connect with Bluetooth or USB)

We're definitely working to keep it as light as possible.  I've been using our prototype, and the weight doesn't bother me - there are large teflon feet on the bottom that help it slide nicely.

[hoggy]

Found this on kbdlabs

I think it looks amazing, and I want one.

http://kbdlab.co.kr/index.php?mid=board_Lsno50&page=1&document_srl=2441450

[Niomosy]

Personally, I'd go with one of these:


Tented, tilted, full function row, 6 on the left.  Extra keys on the left for other things while still keeping PgUp/PgDn/Home/End ??  I'm set.


http://kbdlab.co.kr/index.php?mid=board_Lsno50&page=2&document_srl=3202867

[hoggy]

^
Yes, very nice (again I want one).


A few new boards on unique keyboard (new to me at least)

http://uniquekeyboard.com/store/index.php

Diverge II - as in full hand ergodox - but full hand Diverge

Diverge TM - matrix layout spread over 2 separate halves.

[Niomosy]

I've seen the Diverge TM but wasn't aware of the Diverge II.  That's also a new-to-me site.  I'll have to bookmark that one.

[jeffgran]

I'll throw my hat in the ring, for those who don't follow the "making stuff" subforum.

I built an ergodox, but didn't like the big wide flat layout, and couldn't reach most of the thumb keys. I bought a kinesis advantage, but it was too huge and I couldn't customize the firmware like I wanted to, and still had trouble reaching some of the thumb keys.

So.... I built this, using ideas from each as well as my own minimalist aesthetics. The main idea was to be able to hit ALL the keys with a natural ergonomic motion and without moving my wrists at all. There are only 3 rows of keys because that's all I can reach without moving my hands. Everything else is on layers -- mostly just a number layer and a symbol layer.

Link to more info: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=46015.msg966802#msg966802