Google Japan presents concept of conveyor belt keyboard Gboard
Google Japan's subdivision has introduced an experimental keyboard with moving keys based on conveyor belts.
The project has been named Gboard Conveyor Belt Version (or Gboard Kuru-Kuru). The design consists of four closed tracks, each with 29 keys installed. The buttons move continuously towards the user, eliminating the need to move fingers and wrists across the entire layout and allowing text to be entered with one hand.
The company noted that to optimize the placement of a long row of keys, they applied the principle of a rotating drum and flexible printed circuit boards. If it is necessary to work with both hands simultaneously, the developers suggest using two such modules at once.
The device is conceptual in nature and is not planned for commercial release. Google Japan engineers have published a complete description of the project, files for 3D printing, and the firmware source code on the GitHub platform, making it possible to assemble the device yourself.
What it means
Designs and firmware source codes of the device have been published on GitHub for self-assembly and 3D printing.
Sources
- Хабр: Японское подразделение Google создало клавиатуру Gboard Conveyor Belt Version в виде «конвейерной ленты» media outlet
- Hi-Tech Mail: Google сделала клавиатуру-конвейер: клавиши сами подъезжают к пальцу media outlet
- 3DNews: Японский Google изобрёл вертикальную клавиатуру-конвейер Gboard Kuru-Kuru — построить её может любой желающий media outlet
- iXBT.com: Конвейерная подача: Google показала клавиатуру Gboard с движущимися клавишами media outlet
This article was prepared with the help of AI and translated from the Russian original. Spotted an error — let us know.
Published 1 October 2026, 20:02 · No updates · Russian original
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