


We all know about using magnetic levitation (that's maglev, yo) for transportation, but a Korean company is bringing the technology to you desktop. Embotec has created a maglev keyboard that actually floats the keys, using magnetic force to provide tactile resistance when you push them. Supposedly it gives a more natural and comfortable experience than normal keyboards by varying the keys' resistance depending on how hard they're pushed.
While I wouldn't mind trying out the maglev keyboard, it seems like an awful lot of technology to put into something for such an incremental upgrade. It all depends on how much it costs, of course (which will remain unknown until is hits Korean stores later this year), but I suspect if it catches on at all, it'll remain a crazy-expensive accessory for the super-rich power user.
Embotec, via New Launches
Check out a schematic of the keys after the jump.

By jgwinner at 3:44 PM ON 07/27/07
It just looks like 2 magnets and probably a hall effect sensor. "MagLev" is making it sound fancier than it is.
A lot of keyboards have Hall effect sensors in them anyway, so this is probably just a minor variation in the keyboard.
== John ==
By Isotek at 1:05 AM ON 07/28/07
Well, now we can pair this up with the floating mouse http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/worlds-first-floating-mouse and then everything will be futuristically floaty!
Isotek:
Well, now we can pair this up with the floating mouse ...More »