Google Japan unveils keyboard that puts keys under your fingers
Google Japan’s 2026 Gboard project replaces a fixed keyboard layout with keys carried on a moving belt, designed for one-handed use. The project is presented as a joke rather than a product for sale, but its plans are available on GitHub for anyone who wants to build the mechanism. Google says the keyboard is designed for one-handed use. The user waits to reach the key they want, rather than…
Google Japan's 2026 Gboard project introduces a conceptual keyboard featuring keys that move along a belt, envisioned for use with one hand. Presented as a humorous prototype rather than a market-ready product, the design is accessible on GitHub for enthusiasts to attempt crafting. Google asserts the innovation caters to users seeking to minimize hand movement fatigue.
The experimental keyboard layout emphasizes waiting for the desired key rather than continuous hand motion. The company has previously showcased unconventional keyboard concepts, including a drum-like keyboard in 2010, a Morse code single-key keyboard in 2012, and a variety of imaginative designs from 2016 onwards, such as card-turning, robotic finger-operated, party blower, bubble wrap, and spoon-bending keyboards.
In 2023, they unveiled a hat-shaped keyboard meant to be rotated on the head for character selection, and in 2024, a twisted strip keyboard with keys on either side. Their latest proposal for 2025 resembles a rotary phone design. The GitHub repository provides detailed plans for those interested in constructing the unique mechanical keyboard mechanism.
Written by urgent.news from Dev.to's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
