With a modern aesthetic and smart design, the first keyboard featuring elevating keys compliments your tablet or smartphone beautifully Read more
With a modern aesthetic and smart design, the first keyboard featuring elevating keys compliments your tablet or smartphone beautifully
About this project
Now available in QWERTY, AZERTY and QWERTZ layouts! Back at the "new level" tier for AZERTY. Back at the "Germany level" tier for QWERTZ. All other levels are for QWERTY!
What is Levitatr?
Measuring in at only 9.8mm thick, Levitatr™ is an aluminum Bluetooth keyboard accessory for iPads, iPhones, iPods and other devices. When ready to be used, the keys elevate out of the face of the keyboard and backlighting turns on to illuminate the key lettering. When not in use, the keys can be lowered back into the face of the keyboard and backlighting turns off, making the key lettering disappear. Built into Levitatr is an aluminum precision-machined kickstand (aka ALUMNM™) that folds out and holds virtually every mobile device between a 20 and 30° angle (depending on device thickness).
How is Levitatr made?
Designed around a singular chassis cast in aluminum and precision-machined to its final form, Levitatr is durable to its core. The face, bottom cover and key caps are injection-molded from beautiful high-gloss polycarbonate plastic. The ALUMNM kickstand is composed of two pieces, precision-machined from aluminum and pinned together. The assembled kickstand is then pinned to the keyboard frame. The ALUMNM kickstand latches into its resting position via high-powered magnets. Low-profile scissor switches are used for key actuation. This gives the keyboard swift key actuation and response. Control your basic iPad functions with five hot keys intergrated into Levitatr. Levitatr is powered by a rechargeable built-in Lithium-ion battery.
Why would I want a keyboard with elevating keys?
First off because Levitatr looks pretty cool, right? Second, there are no accidental keystrokes while the keyboard and your tablet are in your bag and you’re traveling. This can be extra embarrassing if you are an in-the-closet Michael Bolton fan and your Bluetooth keyboard turns your tablet music player on from bouncing around in your bag. Third, having a keyboard with keys that lower into the face of the keyboard while not in use keeps junk/food/crud out of the cracks of your keyboard. This extends the life of the keyboard. Did I mention it looks really cool? Lastly, wouldn't it be great to have the Levitatr keyboard integrated directly into a tablet? When you activated the keyboard, the keys would automatically rise from the glass panel, giving you a physical keyboard on demand?! Wouldn't this make your tablet a million times more useful and productive?! This is something we are actively prototyping and carry patent pending status for. Without your pledge, proving there is a market for the first keyboard with elevating keys would be extremely difficult.
Where is the Levitatr development cycle?
The following Levitatr components/aspects have been finalized:• Chassis layout, dimensions, design, and material selection
• Elevation mechanics, dimensions, and design
• Bottom cover design, dimensions, and material selection
• Key actuation selection and design
• Key cap design and dimensions(excluding light pass-through finalization)
• Battery compartment layout, dimensions, desired voltage, and wiring design
• ALUMNM kickstand design including keyboard chassis mount, degree of fold, dimensions, material selection and magnetic latch
• slider button design, dimensions, and material selection
• actuator button design, mechanics, dimensions, and material selection
The following Levitatr components/aspects need to be completed before production can start:• PCB design, layout, and chip/component selection (the brains of the keyboard)
• Firmware
• Power and pairing button switch selection and mounting specifics
• LED backlighting layout, LED selection, design, and wiring specifics
The keyboard pictured in the video is our 5th prototype. The production version will have bright white LED backlighting rather than the yellowish backlighting in the video.
What will the money be used for?
We have approached the point where we need funding to take Levitatr to the next level. Here is what the money raised in this campaign will be used for:
• PCB design/finalization
• LED design/finalization
• Final prototypes/production test runs
• Raw material sourcing
• Component sourcing
• Purchase of approx. 5-10 injection molds for various plastic parts (Expensive!)
• Manufacturing including injection molding, machining, anodizing, laser etching, PCB assembly, final assembly, packaging, testing and quality control
• Packaging design
• Production of packaging materials
• Transportation/Order fulfillment
What devices will Levitatr be compatible with?
At this moment the compatible devices list for Levitatr only contains some of the most popular devices. Once real-world testing can take place, this list will expand.
• Apple iPad
• Apple iPad 2
• Apple iPhone 3GS
• Apple iPhone 4
• Apple iPod Touch
• Apple Mac Mini
• HP TouchPad
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1"
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 7"
Thank you for visiting our kickstarter campaign. Without you checking out Levitatr, what we want to achieve would be nearly impossible...a heartfelt thank you goes out to you. Don't have money to back Levitatr but you want to help? Tweet about it or like Levitatr on Facebook. Its the second biggest contribution you can make!
FAQ
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The stand-alone Levitatr keyboard and tablet-intergrated Levitatr keyboard are both patent pending.
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283mm long X 131mm wide X 9.8mm thick
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Levitatr is powered by a built-in rechargeable Lithium-ion battery.
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This is still to be determined.
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No and no. Levitatr has rubber feet mounted to the bottom cover to prevent scratches to table surfaces. The screen of any compatible device does not come into contact with Levitatr in any way.
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This is a tough question to answer. There are so many variables when creating a product from scratch. We ask that you as a backer please be patient and realize you are funding the creation of a device...not simply pre-ordering from a warehouse. With that said, we hope to have Levitatr keyboards in your hands before the holidays. We also understand the importance of regular updates and plan to give you - as a backer - an inside look at the effort it takes to bring a product from idea to reality.
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The Levitatr keyboard is now available in QWERTY, QWERTZ and AZERTY layouts.
Rewards
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Pledge $1 or more
14 backers
Pledge $1 or more and receive a digital CAD file in STL format of the ALUMNM™ kickstand. You can have this file 3d printed at Shapeways.com (or similar company) giving you your very own ALUMNM™ kickstand in whatever material you prefer (some assembly will be required). You will also be able to vote on final Levitatr aspects throughout the development cycle at this level.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $25 or more
9 backers
Pledge $25 or more and receive an ALUMNM™ kickstand that fits in the palm of your hand, holds virtually any tablet or smart phone and measures in at only 5mm thick while collapsed. The ALUMNM™ kickstand is machined from aluminum, anodized green and laser-etched with the ALUMNM logo. U.S. shipping included (add $7 for international shipping). The projected retail price is $29. You will also be able to vote on final Levitatr aspects throughout the development cycle at this level. Double your pledge to double your reward.
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Pledge $79 or more
197 backers
Pledge $79 or more and receive your very own Levitatr™ keyboard. Featuring a machined/anodized aluminum chassis, a gloss black polycarbonate face/bottom cover and a machined/anodized built-in ALUMNM™ kickstand, this unit will be identical to the retail unit (projected retail price is $99). U.S. shipping included (add $15 for international shipping). You will also be able to vote on final Levitatr aspects throughout the development cycle at this level. Double your pledge to double your reward.
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Pledge $99 or more
162 backers
Pledge $99 or more and receive a Special Edition Levitatr™ keyboard. Above a standard Levitatr, this unit will feature a “kickstarter green” activator button, slider button and built-in ALUMNM™ kickstand. Said ALUMNM kickstand will also be laser-etched with "kickstarter backer". These units will be custom made for kickstarter backers only and NEVER retailed. U.S. shipping included (add $15 for international shipping). You will also be able to vote on final Levitatr aspects throughout the development cycle at this level. Double your pledge to double your reward.
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Pledge $105 or more
95 backers
MIDNIGHT EDITION LEVEL. Pledge $105 or more and receive a Midnight Edition Levitatr™ keyboard in either QWERTY, QWERTZ or AZERTY. Above a standard Levitatr, the Midnight Edition Levitatr keyboard will feature an anodized, all-black chassis. These units will be custom made for kickstarter backers. U.S. shipping included (add $9 for international shipping). You will also be able to vote on final Levitatr aspects throughout the development cycle at this level. Double your pledge to double your reward.
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Pledge $109 or more
39 backers
NEW LEVEL. Pledge $109 or more and receive either a Special Edition Levitatr™ keyboard -OR- a standard Levitatr keyboard in AZERTY key format (not both). This pledge level was specifically created for our supporters and friends overseas. U.S. and international shipping included. You will also be able to vote on final Levitatr aspects throughout the development cycle at this level. Double your pledge to double your reward.
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Pledge $109 or more
35 backers
GERMANY LEVEL. Pledge $109 or more and receive either a Special Edition Levitatr™ keyboard with QWERTZ layout -OR- a standard Levitatr keyboard with QWERTZ layout (not both). This pledge level was specifically created for our supporters and friends in Germany (you have been heard loud and clear!) U.S. and international shipping included. You will also be able to vote on final Levitatr aspects throughout the development cycle at this level. Double your pledge to double your reward.
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Pledge $159 or more
83 backers
Pledge $159 or more and receive a bonus pack including one Special Edition Levitatr™ keyboard + one standard Levitatr™ keyboard. Share Levitatr love with friends or family. U.S. shipping included (add $17 for international shipping). You will also be able to vote on final Levitatr aspects throughout the development cycle at this level. Double your pledge to double your reward.
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Pledge $500 or more
3 backers
Pledge $500 or more and MAKE IT RAIN! Two Special Edition Levitatr™ keyboards + three standard Levitatr™ keyboards + five ALUMNM™ kickstands + a taste of Dayton including Mike Sells potato chips, the Pine Club salad dressing, Montgomery Inn barbecue sauce, Mamma DiSalvo’s pasta sauce and Killer Brownies from Dorothly Lane Market. U.S. shipping included (add $25 for international shipping). You will also be able to vote on final Levitatr aspects throughout the development cycle at this level. Double your pledge to double your reward.
Estimated delivery:
Funding period
- (45 days)