The name "Keybird" itself is a quirky fusion. It figuratively suggests departing from "old" typing habits and embracing "known" QWERTY layout in a "new" redesigned form.
Our mission is to transform human-computer interaction and ensure that adopting Keybird typing experience is as seamless as confusing "Keybird" and "keyboard" in a conversation.
Keybird was born from zero keyboard-building knowledge, as a pet project envisioned by a software engineer more than a decade ago. The Keybird project is currently seeking traction as we prepare for our crowdfunding launch. Round #1 campaign is taking shape, with many aspects carefully engineered and some parts already manufactured. Three more crowdfunding rounds are planned in the Roadmap.
QWERTY typing layouts, Cherry MX compatible switches, hot swaps, custom art personalization and 3D modeling contest for various wings and body add-ons are just a few of many fun perks to come.
The idea in 60 seconds...
...is veeerry old !
+50 years ago.
It was a veerrrry loooong time ago.
Didn't technology advance?
Interaction is one!
Why two devices?
Keybird = keyboard + mouse
Combined experience!
Wait till you see the features and crazy creatures it can bring to life.
If you Like it , Leave a comment down below. Boost that counter for us please. And Join our membership.
🖱️ #mouse + ⌨️ #keyboard = ❤️ #Keybird_IO#Interaction is #one
— Keybird (@keybird_io) March 24, 2025
Why #two devices?
More at https://t.co/4HDSloghTg #2in1 #tech #love #cool #art #sweet
...60 seconds gone.
There is plenty more to explore. Top-picked features coming up next, followed by the story about Keybird.
Shaping human-computer interaction the new way
Check the list of features brought by Keybird.
Can interaction be better? Is it perfect?
Sir Douglas Engelbart was a great visionary, a father of human-computer interaction. Remarkably, human-computer interaction has still remained largely unchanged since his groundbreaking work.
Doug and the team set the bar high. Yet, many custom keyboards in the DIY community showcase a clear need for further improvements.
of
the legendary Batman.It's not a joke. We take Batman's point of view seriously! Don't you?
To get a taste of the initial Keybird concept, we have 3D printed a small piece of a prototype. Cherry MX compatible switches are mounted on it.
If you think it's #silly, keep reading to get a laugh. But will you let unbeatable features mind-shift you "outside the box"?
QWERTY is an important requirement! Keybird exposes a familiar QWERTY layout. Figure out QWERTY|YTREWQ in the picture. Every key remains where it naturally should be.
Your brain knows finger mapping without you even thinking. Keybird respects that.
Don't worry if you are not an expert who types blindfolded. Keybird brings an open view to your palms. The case is transparent and you can see your fingers and key labels.
Keyboard and mouse features are combined into a unified usage experience of typing and moving a pointer.
Did you get the idea from the animation? If so, kindly click the button below and help boost the likes on the post behind it!
Building mouse attachment is fun and creative part of crowdfunding Round #3. Help us get there. Currently, we are developing Round #1.
Can you imagine gaming with a sliding Keybird? Become a member and register your affinity for a gaming Keybird.
Designed by Freepik
Keybird eliminates the need for one hand constantly switching between typing and pointing.
Save the distance traveled by hand when switching. Stay healthy! Read more on ergonomics of open-book posture.
Keybird transparency allows you to see your fingers. It assists in typing.
Transparency reveals internal electronics, wires, and key switches. It gives Keybird a good looking design.
We must be perfectly clear with you: Not all components are crystal clear. Improving transparency of all the components is our long term goal. As Keybird community gains traction, manufacturers will put more focus on transparent switches and keycaps.
Look at our prototype with quite a remarkable transparency.
Designed by Freepik
Forget awkward postures and strained muscles. The problem isn't you; it's the outdated interaction device design.
Keybird naturally encourages an ergonomic posture. No conscious effort required.
Inspired by the natural "open-book" posture, Keybird guides your body into a relaxed and ergonomic position.
Look at our open-book posture. Grab a book! and try it out at your desk right away.
Keybird design is built around an open-book holding posture! Palms face upwards while resting on a table, which releases the stress from the shoulders!
Carefully crafted design geometry of an open book pulls your shoulders back to a natural open-palm position that provides rest to the shoulders and neck.
It is not a position one must consciously think of, it just happens when you start holding Keybird in your hands!
We have been experimenting with the angles to ensure a comfortable position. With years of experimenting behind, we will continue to fine tune Keybird geometry for the best performance.
Technical part is always aligned with Keybird's artistic identitiy. A bird-like identity is even more captivating if you customize it.
Incredible Keybird add-on designs and gems wait to be unlocked by creative community!
Add personal touch to Keybird's appearance, color it, spray it, chose its key caps, switches, its head, printings on the wings, internationalization with labels on the layout you use.
Be Part of the Journey
Support us in the crowdfunding phase. Currently, we are preparing a campaign.
We are set on a goal of improving human-computer interaction.
To get notified when we come out for a first round of crowdfundig, join our Membership program
Round #1: Tweak the basic concept
Much of it is engineered already. Small piece of a prototype is manufactured. We are putting it all together for testing and tuning. See more.
Round #2: Grow production capacity
Production beyond just small testing series requires serious work on setting up and integrating e-commerce and ERP systems, contracting partners in the whole supply chain (order fullfilment, from order to shipping). We hope to collect purchase intents through round #2 to determine market interest for future production capacity planning. The goal is to start with 1000 orders / year.
Round #3: Mouse in the head of a keybird.
In this round, development of mouse sensor conmponent for the Keybird is planned.
Keybird = keyboard + mouse.
With mouse integration, Keybird can enable both-hands typing and pointer movements at the same time. This is an exciting concept that differentiates Keybird from other keyboards.
This round is where creative folks can engage and excel in 3D and PCB design.
Specs of the micro controller GPIO pins and the Keybird K1 model geometry will be clearly defined. Once the specs are published, the creative DIY community can experiment with developing the mouse sensor component. Who will create the mouse part that looks like the most appealing 'head of the bird'? We hope to get many creative add-ons to the Keybird's core body.
Have a look at how we have come this far and take a sneak peak into our future plans.
We acknowledge the help from open-source and are eager to give back.
Becoming a member brings many benefits.
Here is a listing of some of the benefits that we will bring to our members.
While it takes time to develop production capacity, we will be starting with a limited edition series.
Members are the first to receive offers on limited editions of our products.
Get email notifications on the important dates for crowdfunding rounds.
Claim a special, members only, discount for life time. As time goes by, discount parameters may change, but it shall remain that early members will get more discount. Distribution of discount will be publicly available on our website.
The more you have purchased with us, the more discount you get.
We will not spam your inbox with too many emails. You can expect calls to crowdfunding and limited edition offers. Once Keybird develops into an ecosystem of many products, there will be many products to pick from, but also you will be able to reduce the frequency of email notifications - we wish you stay subscribed, not to opt out.
Become a proud member of Keybird community, follow our social net posts, keep on track, and catch up with anything #Keybird_IO related. Discover exciting Easter eggs hidden throughout our website and social media channels.
Doug is a father of human-computer interaction. We #respect Doug's work, so we put Doug's work to the front, before we continue improving interaction.
Give us a like, retweet, or comment on the post.
Follow our social net posts to discover perks, gifts, quizzes, and more. Switch to Membership program tab to see the benefits of becoming a member.
Which one you wish supported first.
The founder is using ISO layout, so ISO layout will be used for testing. The choice of the next layout to be supported in our first series depends on community interest. Upvote the layout you like!
Or simply join our membership to register you preference for ANSI, ISO, or JIS.
Keybird is truely a playground for creative folks.
Take a look at our Roadmap or jump ahead to see what we plan for the first round of crowdfunding
Keybird provides endless art creation possibilities and DIY projects.
2D art
Design stickers and decorations.
3D art
Model some crazy looking wings or body add-ons.
Electronics
Light it up with LEDs and make it alive. Several GPIOs on the microcontroller will be left for you.
Share you creations with fellow enthusiasts, get inspired by others, and partner with us to distribute your designs. We hope to form a Marketplace of officially approved add-ons.
A "mouse" in the "head" of a "bird"?
Yeah, exactly! Technically speaking, it doesn't sound so crazy. Any tech geek would understand us, right?
Give us a like on the specific post we prepared if you understand what we mean. Click the button bellow.
A hint to help you gain understanding, check out keyboard + mouse animation.
The Resources section will be created at our website to contain the materials for DIY community. There is much going on, have patiance please.
So far, testing and tweaking is ongoing and a decision on a uC is not reached yet. Microcontroller will be known in a later round of crowdfunding. It will be in Round #3 when we will organize a campaign for building attachments which will fit as the head to the Keybird body.
We are open to partnerships, not limiting to:
Gamers and tech influencers (showcasing and promoting Keybird)
Keycaps and key switches companies and resellers (transparent switches are our niche)
5 axis precise plastic / acrylic CNC milling and bending
SLA transparent resin 3D printing for large dimensions, 450mm x 290 mm
3D modeling and electronics design experts and agencies
CAD software companies (use cases for Keybird)
Injection molding, silicon making, manufacture of pin sockets and springs
Global order fulfillment services, packaging and distribution.
You know of some interesting parts that would fit Keybird. Submit a suggestion. Is it a switch or keycaps you would like to see in our offerings.
info@keybird.io
