About this project
$67,570
638
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!
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Funding period
- (45 days)