The keyboard has not undergone that many changes over the years, aside from a variety of different key switches, customisable LED back-lighting and so on but due to researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology and those from the Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, we could soon be looking at the possibility of much smarter keyboards in our homes and place of work.
Research has been put into designing a keyboard that is able to identify the user of a keyboard and add a layer of security to their system, for example say you were logged into Windows and your Facebook account was open in your web browser, if you were to leave the computer and a sibling or "friend" decided to play a prank by messaging another user, the keyboard could detect that its not you typing and lock the keyboard to prevent any embarrassing messages being sent.
The keyboard is able to build a user profile by measuring the pressure applied to keys, and the time between keys are pressed, this may sound basic but we all type very differently to one another, so the technology should in theory work.
Software already exists that can identify a persons keystrokes but researchers say that the hardware solution is much more effective due to the additional measurements of pressure on the keys.
Additionally, the keyboard is able to produce its its own source of power, just by pressing keys and able to power small connected USB devices. The keyboard is also said to remain dust, hair, and crumb free due to a dirt repelling coating on the keyboard.
What are your thoughts on this early prototype keyboard? It could add an extra layer of security to your system without needing to worry about locking your system before you leave it but is this something you would actually be interested in if the technology was to be implemented into your gaming keyboards?
Source
