Prototype 1 - Ergonomics
The first prototype was actually two prototypes, one functional and the other without electronics. We made the second so the testers could compare design features. These were the differences between both prototypes:
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Left Symmetrical, right 60% (it’s called 60% because it’s has 60% the keys of a regular keyboard)
And we had 8 hypotheses to test with these prototypes.The 8 hypotheses that we validated with our testing:
Hypothesis #1: Symmetrical is much more beautiful
We thought this was going to be a big negative thing but actually it wasn’t even notice. Most testers didn’t notice any difference between both prototypes even when comparing them one next to the other. Conclusion 1#: No visual difference.Hypothesis #2: Symmetrical slightly difficult to use
Testers that have perfect touch typing technique write as fast with the keyboard split and feel more comfortable
People with perfect touch typing technique use both index to place their hands on the keyboards. We discovered that people without perfect touch typing technique (the vast majority of us) use the exterior edges of their palms to know where the keys are. By reducing one key on the right side it made most testers feel weird and not be able to type as they would do in any other keyboard. With the 60% they felt totally comfortable. Conclusion 2#: 60% is better.Hypothesis #3: Being able to remove the palm rests is highly valued
All testers except one said they preferred the palm rests. The surprising thing was how they said it, they were completely sure about it. And the only situation that they would remove them was to transport the keyboard. Conclusion 3#: Palm rest really liked. Removable not really valuedHypothesis #4. Magnetic connectors and joints are highly valued
This is what created the most “wow moments”. No one expected the magnetic cable connectors or the middle joint connectors. Some testers didn’t notice the magnets but reported a pleasant feeling while joining both keyboard sides together. Conclusion 4#: Everyone loved themHypothesis #5: The palm rests make tilting unnecessary
Tilting (elevating the back part of the keyboard) is proven to be harmful for our wrists. During our testing we confirmed that is unnecessary with palm rests
No tester missed or even mentioned it once. Just as we thought, elevating the hand has a similar effect to tilting the keyboard, you reach easier the keys. Conclusion 5#: Completely unnecessary