Google Japan unveils Gboard Kurukuru conveyor belt keyboard

Google Japan has unveiled an experimental hardware concept called the ‘Gboard Kurukuru Version’. Unlike traditional keyboards where fingers move to reach stationary keys, this design utilizes four rotating conveyor belts that bring the keys to the user’s fingers.

The device features a total of 116 keys, with 29 keys positioned on each of the four belts. To facilitate easier one-handed typing, the keyboard includes separate keys for uppercase and lowercase letters, eliminating the need for a shift key. Users must time their keystrokes to press the desired letter as it rotates past their finger, a mechanic that gives the typing experience a feel similar to a rhythm-based video game.

Google intends for this project to demonstrate how input methods can be optimized for one-handed use, potentially leaving the other hand free for other tasks. While Google has no plans to sell the device commercially, it has released the project as an open-source DIY initiative, providing blueprints so that individuals can build their own versions.