Thread: retractable keyboard

Originally Posted by Moneyfink

How could I go about designing a keyboard that sits under the passenger seat of my car, that has a retractable cable. Basically if a person in my car wanted to search for a song or visit a website they just reach below the seat and grab the keyboard, when they are done, the cable retracts to there are no messy cables showing. Can anyone help me implement this?

the easiest way i can think of is to use a sliding keyboard tray or arm with a retractable USB cable. zip tie the original keyboard wire just behind the keyboard and use the retractable USB part from there to the PC.

Or you could get the power cord retract mechanism from an old canister-style (non-upright) vacuum cleaner.

Go wireless.

wireless and batteries, I am not a fan

I replace the two AAA batteries in my wireless keyboard on average every six months.

Batteries are not a big deal...

Yes, that's generally true for keyboards...if he's in a cold climate though, he may have problems with the batteries when it gets really really cold.