Can you improve on the standard QWERTY keyboard? Wayne Rasanen got it into his head to do just that. He created a device to replace QWERTY. He also wanted to reduce hand movement and end the days of flying fingers. So he invented the “chord” keyboard that uses more than one finger to produce letters in a way that is similar to how you play several notes to produce a chord in music. Wayne’s design is versatile, allowing the 10 wires and ground to connect to a variety of switches, from a video game controller to a one-handed version.
Wayne Rasanen set out to make the QWERTY keyboard smaller and less complex so that it could work well with modern electronics.
All input is provided directly under your fingertips with direct access to anything you want, anytime you want it.
The editors of Design News have handpicked your favorite Gadget Freak cases from over the years, bringing them together in a dynamic digital edition, complete with videos, which you can view here.
Hi in10did(Wayne), The bluetooth version of your keyboard sounds awesome! Have you thought about open sourcing the design to allow makers to explore physical computing projects with it? What's the target cost you plan to sell it for? Being at CES is a good way to drum up consumer interest in the product. I'll be watching the marketing campaign from the sidelines.
Thanks, I'm glad that you see value in this technology. I'm currently designing a Bluetooth version of the keyboard that I plan to market early next year. It is based ob the USB design on the front page of our website www.in10did.com . I really hope that it will help people who want physical keys for touch-typing on the back of their phones and tablets and may not be able to use virtual keyboards. We plan to launch it at CES in January, booth 36178. If you are coming to Vegas, I hope you stop in and try it!
in10did, Very cool keyboard! I definitely see this device/approach being useful for special needs or phyically challenged folks. Any plans to commericalize the prototype?
Many people hunt & peck because the standard keyboard layout just doesn't make any sense. If you try to think about it logically, you would never come up with this arrangement. That was really why I came up with this solution, the alphabet can be produced with ten fingers using our thumbs to shift the letters. Ten single presses, eight with one thumb and the last eight with the other thumb. Press both thumbs for upper-case on the next letter. It worked out so perfectly that I thought this must be the way typing the alphabet was intended. So I call it IN10DID to reflect that idea. Perhaps only people with special needs will be motivated to learn it but I believe it will be useful for many more people. Thank you all for taking the time to view and comment on my effort here!
I can see where this device may be of benefit to a special needs user, but only to a special needs user.
I hunt and peck and seldom are the times when my thoughts and fingers are traveling at the same speed. I compose, correct and edit at a pedantic speed so shortcuts are rarely an issue. If I had to memorize another sequence of key strokes to accomplish any writing task, I would not like it. But then I prefer designing in 2-D CAD as opposed to solid modeling, so I am an indangered species and will never be the target audience for any product.
I had a friend in Lincoln, NE, who would do his computing walking down the street, using a small one-eye monitor mounted on spectacles, and a one-hand multi-touch keyboard. It was interesting to see him walking along "kneading" the "potato" and gazing into the high horizon.
It is completely understandable that many people who have developed skills touch-typing will not be swayed to learn something new unless to provides significant advantages. This is disruptive technology and serves best in places where QWERTY in not a good option such as on the steering wheel or a game controller. Likewise it can improve computer access for folks with special needs. It might not mean much for some people but could mean the world for others. For over 100 years, people have been trying to improve upon QWERTY so it isn't an easy thing to do. That's what makes the effort worth while.
Hear what some people thought about it when we showed it at the Florida state fair.
I think we do get locked into convention but there is no doubt a keyboard applied to some devices; i.e. steering wheel, etc would benefit from the simplification this one would provide. I, like others who have commented, can see how it would greatly benefit individuals who are disabled. I learned to type when I was in the 5th grade on a very old "manual" typewriter. I'm not too sure I could, or would want to adapt to the ten key device demonstrated.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 5
Early in my career, I worked as a draftsman and remember the days of drawing on vellum with numbered pencils and Mylar with plastic lead. This was a fun experience in the sense that I ...
I've been using workstations for more than 10 years and love finding ways to get more performance from my system. With demanding professional applications that require more power each ...
A lasting memory from my first job as an engineer in an auto assembly plant is standing on hard concrete at six in the morning, vending-machine coffee clutched in hand, listening to ...
A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is
To save this item to your list of favorite Design News content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
Tweet This
3 
