The Gboard team in Japan has unveiled a new experimental keyboard design featuring a conveyor belt mechanism. This device aims to address the physical limitations of traditional typing by moving the keys toward the user, eliminating the need to shift one's hand or arm across the board while typing.
The Gboard Rotation version consists of a conveyor belt equipped with 29 keys. Users can input both uppercase and lowercase letters as the keys pass by. The design allows for single-handed operation, enabling users to perform other tasks simultaneously, such as using a mouse or drinking beverages.
Google has confirmed that there are currently no plans to bring this product to the commercial market. However, the company has made the design schematics available as open source. The team is exploring potential future updates, including additional color options and longer versions that support a wider range of characters.
