Hardware stub

ErgoDox EZ Mechanical Keyboard Sets Unique Stretch Goals

Posted on April 23, 2015

We recently reported on an IndieGoGo campaign to crowdfund a pre-made ErgoDox keyboard, something that hasn’t been done at a commercial level previously. The initiators of the campaign have surpassed their goal of $50,000, and are now are shooting for a stretch goal.

For those who don’t know -- or haven’t read the previous news piece -- the ErgoDox is an open source, ergonomic keyboard that’s split into two parts. It has traditionally been a DIY (do-it-yourself) keyboard, making them difficult to buy pre-made. This required users to assemble an ErgoDox themselves, which requires soldering, flashing firmware, and other general assembly steps. The ErgoDox EZ campaign seeks to produce a pre-made ErgoDox keyboard with a warranty and most of the usual aspects of other pre-made keyboards, such as keycaps.

For those looking for a more-indepth overview, I suggest reading my previous news piece on the ErgoDox and the ErgoDox EZ campaign.  

Stretching for More

ergodox-kb-1

Recently, the ErgoDox EZ campaign reached their goal of $50,000 (USD) and, at the time of this publication, will have 2 days left in their campaign. Having reached their goal, the ErgoDox EZ team is pushing for a stretch goal of $70,000. The stretch goal provides adjustable angle kits for the ErgoDox EZs; and, yes, $20,000 is a lot for including adjustable angle kits, but it’s important to remember that these will be produced on a factory line and need to be ordered in large quantities to help decrease material costs.

The adjustable angle kit include six adjustable tabs that use aluminum alloy legs in conjunction with thumb screws and holes in the ErgoDox EZ chassis to support the keyboard. Users position the legs at the angle they desire, then use the thumbscrews to secure them against the ErgoDox chassis. Both the ErgoDox Chassis’ leg holes and legs will have metal teeth to ensure a secure attachment that doesn’t slip when typing. The bottom of the legs will also have a rubber foot to help prevent sliding.

The current mockup is 3D printed, but the final ErgoDox EZ will be injection molded, and the legs will be aluminum with rubber at the bottoms.

The ErgoDox EZ has already succeeded in raising money to create the first commercially pre-made ErgoDox. This stretch goal of $70,000, while large considering there are only 2 days left in the campaign, is interesting as it implements a tilting/angling mechanism traditionally unseen on keyboards. The company is presently ~$10,000 away from the stretch goal.

As always, we do suggest thoughtfulness when considering whether to pledge money to Kickstarter or IndieGoGo campaigns due to the nature of execution. We suggest that readers consider whether a campaign is trustworthy and realistic enough, as it is their money to choose to pledge or not.

- Michael "The Bear" Kerns.