Definately Different

[CaptCarrot]

Embotec magnetic levitation keyboard

[wellington1869]

wow!
 
I'm waiting for a keyboard that charges your ipod while you type
 
It cant be too far off

[Ulysses31]

I don't see what advantage this has over using a spring to support the key.  From the pictures, it's just a membrane keyboard underneath, so all the magnets do is provide resistance that increases the closer the magnets come to each other; exactly the way a coil spring works.

[fkeidjn]

I don't see what advantage this has over using a spring to support the key.  From the pictures, it's just a membrane keyboard underneath, so all the magnets do is provide resistance that increases the closer the magnets come to each other; exactly the way a coil spring works.

exactly what I was thinking

[wellington1869]

perhaps without any physical contact it will be smoother?  I suppose it could be the lightest, smoothest switch ever, though whether that feels good or is ergonomic is another matter.

[CaptCarrot]

My only concern is there will be no audible feedback until the key bottoms out

[Ulysses31]

What would be good is if (contrary to what it looks like) the resistance was adjustable via an electromagnet.  I've read some descriptions that mention it is electromagnetic in operation but to me they just look like a pair of opposing permanent magnets.

[CaptCarrot]

... The advantage here is that the keyboard is able to measure multi-finger force and dynamically adjust the resistance. And despite the necessary calculations, response times are supposed to fast enough for gamers and business folk alike. ...

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/i-can-fly!/embotec-magnet-keyboard-floats-keys-283181.php

[itlnstln]

It would certainly be novel if anything.  Sort of like those laser keyboards.  An interesting idea, but questionable execution.  I would like to try one of these, though, to see how it would feel.  I think I might miss the click (other tan bottoming out) and the tactility.

[itlnstln]

Thinking about this a little more, knowing that the keycaps are held in by hooks and, therefore, directing the force, I wonder how hard it would be to push the keys.  When playing with small magnets, it can be pretty hard to push the opposite poles together without the magnets skewing off to one side.  I know these won't be incredibly strong magnets, but they do have to hold the keycap up, thus, having some strength to do so. Hmmm....

[CaptCarrot]

Also, If they are electromagnets, will all the keys "spring" up when the board gets power

[itlnstln]

That would be pretty funny, but it also leads to the question of power draw.  Would this draw much more power than a standard keyboard to run the magnets?  If so, would you have a separate power plug or would you have to hope that you don't overload a USB/PS2 port?

[lowpoly]

If you have electromagnets and position measurement you have basically enough to program your own resistance curves.

Very nice, even if it draws a lot of power.

[Xuan]

If it has a electromagnet for each key and can be programmed you can make a script to make the keys move by themselves. That would be a very interesting joke

[Ulysses31]

So instead of a player piano you'd have a player keyboard.  Of course you could just tell someone it was haunted.

[lowpoly]

It could massage you while you sleep.

[wellington1869]

It could type your paper for you.

[Eclairz]

If they were strong permanent magnets it might not be possible to bottom them out and so in a way you will reduce noise. electro magnets would be more adjustable but i would prefer something less powerhungry.

either way it looks like a really neat either combining scissor tech with magnet tech, but due to such a short travel in keystroke it probably is not able to give tactile feel.