Google Japan Unveils Gboard Conveyor Belt Version With Moving Keys

Google Japan Unveils Gboard Conveyor Belt Version for One-Handed Typing

Google Japan has released its latest experimental peripheral on October 1, 2026, introducing a physical keyboard that replaces static keys with four moving conveyor belt tracks. Named the Gboard Conveyor Belt Version—and referred to as the Gboard Kurukuru Version in regional coverage—the device is designed to bring characters directly to the user’s fingertips rather than requiring hand movement across a fixed grid. hardwarepremium.com reported that the unit features 29 keys on each of its four continuous tracks, allowing an operator to wait for a specific character to cycle into position before pressing it.

The Tech TL;DR:
• Google Japan debuted a physical prototype featuring four conveyor belt tracks with 29 keys each on October 1, 2026.
• The hardware is not for sale, but complete 3D printing files, PCB schematics, and firmware are published on GitHub for open-source reproduction.
• The project continues an annual hardware tradition that began in 2012, shifting dates to align with the 101-key IBM Model M standard.

Google Japan Releases Gboard Conveyor Belt Build Package

The Gboard Conveyor Belt Version relies on continuous mechanical loops driven by flexible circuits, moving keys laterally toward a central typing zone. According to hardwarepremium.com, the engineering team at Google Japan has no plans to commercialize the peripheral. However, the subsidiary has released the complete build package on GitHub. This repository includes STL files for 3D printing, KiCad PCB layouts, and associated firmware source code, enabling developers to build their own hardware clones.

# Clone the Gboard Conveyor Belt repository from GitHub
git clone https://github.com/google/gboard-conveyor-belt.git
cd gboard-conveyor-belt
# Load KiCad schematics and flash firmware to microcontroller
pio run --target upload

The project builds on previous regional novelties. As noted by es.gizmodo.com, past iterations include the Gboard Dial Edition modeled after 1960s rotary phones, the Double-Sided Gboard designed to function regardless of orientation, and the single-row Gboard bar version. The 2026 release pushes this engineering philosophy further by turning a standard input device into a micro-scale assembly line.

Launch Date References IBM Model M Keyboard Layout

The timing of the October 1 release is an intentional reference to the 101-key layout popularized by the IBM Model M, styled numerically as 10/1. ultimahora.es reported that while earlier devices between 2012 and 2020 debuted as April Fools’ jokes, the team moved the launch date in 2021 to coincide with this keyboard standard. Google Japan’s engineering division continues to evaluate theoretical upgrades for the conveyor design, including high-speed motor variants, color customizations, and a shortened mobile form factor.