I designed an open source ergonomic wireless keyboard over the course of 2 years

by ebastler • 4 years ago

2 5 4 years ago

ebastler3• 4 years ago

You probably know how this kind of projects usually starts. "Hey, XY would be nice, I bet it'll be a quick and easy project". Then feature creep happens, then you're not satisfied with your work and start from scratch, and 2 years later you're like "why".

This was one of those projects. It is a slim 40%ish column staggered wireless keyboard, using a nRF52840 chip, and Kailh Choc switches. It is as slim as possible with mechanical switches, features months of battery life, and is entirely open source - electronics, case, software. For now it will only have a 3D printed case, but CNC machined aluminum is planned too.

I am typing this on the first prototype while waiting for the updated 3D-prints to arrive, but felt like sharing my work already - hope you will enjoy it!

dementis• 4 years ago

I like the low profile design but have you considered just splitting the two halves and connecting them via a cable like Kinesis does for their Freestyle2 keyboard?

ebastler3• 4 years ago

There's quite a lot of choice for split keyboards out there - one of my favorites being the Corneish Zen by lowprokb - just two small boards, wireless interconnect. I made it a unibody design on purpose - better battery life, and only one device I have to charge and remember bringing along with me. And the fact that there is a pretty limited amount of existing designs in that style.

ZMK firmware can as of now sadly not do wired connections between two halves, so it's either wired connection and wired connection to PC (QMK firmware) or full wireless like the Zen, with ZMK.

cdaringe• 4 years ago

Looks good, congrats

ebastler3• 4 years ago

Thanks! This was by far my most advanced PCB design so far - lots of reading and research involved. Pretty proud it worked at first try.

I designed an open source ergonomic wireless keyboard over the course of 2 years

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