Kevin is:

• a split keyboard
• low profile
• wireless (based on nice!nano)
• having huge autonomy
• with 3 columns × 6 rows 4 keys on thumb 1 joystick (numeric or analogic) on each side
• in a column stagger design
• without breakable column
• designed for Kailh PG1350 (aka Choc)
• with Choc spacing (not MX compatible)
• with a small e-ink
• with a detachable (not wireless) trackball
• without LED
• in a easy small portable case
• that protect keys during transport
• and can be tented

Some goals was defined and kept in mind during all the conception process. Here is the list by priority:

• No compromise on quality
• Intended to be functional and ergonomic (as a personal choice)
• With a trackball/touchpad/something that may substitue a mouse
• As low as possible
• All keys must be to 1 move of home fingers position (exception done on thumb and special feature joystick)
• The case must protect keys during transport
• The halves can be tented
• Really no frequent battery charge needed

Additional constraints/choices:

• For cost reduction, PCB is designed to be reversible (can be used for left and right side) on a 2 layer PCB. Each component can be soldered on each side.
• For "low profile" objective, PCB is designed to have all components soldered on upper side and all components are SMD.
• The nice!nano was chosen instead of designing a full integrated MCU to simplify and accelerate designing. All other electronic parts are designed on PCB to have full control over this project.

The project is currently in early staged development.

Done:

• PCB
  • Electric schematic and primary PCB design

Work in progress:

• PCB
  • Components choice
• Case
  • Design

ToDo:

• PCB & components
  • Gerbers, ordering and building
• Case
  • Building
• Documentation
  • Add BOM
  • Add building guide
• Firmware
  • ZMK code

|2|-|Waveshare 17574|e-ink 1.02|https://www.waveshare.com/w/upload/2/2b/1.02inch-e-Paper_Specification.pdf| |2|SMD|SKQGADE010|Reset button|https://tech.alpsalpine.com/prod/e/html/tact/surfacemount/skqg/skqgade010.html| |2|SMD|JS102011SAQN|On/off slide switch|https://www.mouser.fr/ProductDetail/CK/JS102011SAQN?qs=/ha2pyFaduiV2nqaS%2BU8Q9wtp/pUP0ZhxQ7YjhJWd98Vv/ajANoXBg==| |1|SMD|810-22-008-40-001101|Spring Loaded Pogo Connectors 8-pin|https://www.mouser.fr/ProductDetail/Mill-Max/810-22-008-40-001101?qs=XvIqXwAF0edJjs2Rmv/tNw==| |1|SMD|319-10-108-40-080001|Spring Loaded Target Connectors 8-pin|https://www.mill-max.com/products/datasheet/sockets/319-10-108-40-080001| |1|-|B32-1310 (or any compatible)|Switch cap for numeric joystick|https://www.mouser.fr/datasheet/2/307/en-b32-13586.pdf| To be confirmed: joystick_analogic kevin:Molex_200528-0040_1x04-1MP_P1.00mm_Horizontal_reversible

Lots of amazing projects and guides exist and are a huge inspiration to this project.

Thanks to them, kevin was born.

• Corne keyboard
• The Ploopy Nano Trackball
• nice!nano
• Keebio-Parts.pretty
• random-keyboard-parts.pretty
• 3D view of components from manufacturers
• Guides:
  • the keyboard designer wiki @ ai03.com
  • Designing a keyboard from scratch
• Firmware:
  • Zephyr™ Mechanical Keyboard (ZMK) Firmware
• Tools:
  • KiCad EDA
  • FreeRouting