iKey's AK-39 wearable keyboard is about as weapon-like as it sounds

iKey's churned out plenty of rugged keyboards in its day, but it looks to have really stepped up its game with its new AK-39 wearable keyboard intended specifically for military use. Among other things, this one conforms to full MIL-461 standards, is able to be used in environments with harsh electromagnetic interference and, of particular importance, it's designed to be used with a glove, and in either left or right-hand configurations. As for the keyboard itself, you'll get a basic 39-key layout, an integrated pointing device that uses Force Sensing Resistor (or FSR) technology, and some adjustable green backlighting that is, naturally, also available with night vision compatibility. No word on pricing just yet, nor is there any indication that iKey will actually sell these to the general public.

[Via Test Freaks, thanks Nicholas R]

[Sisyphus @ Jul 14th 2009 5:47PM]

I'd twitter from the front lines.

"/I put on my robe and wizard hat"

[Return of Jackson...whoo! @ Jul 14th 2009 5:48PM]

By the by, this would look much better if it was a white leather glove covered in Swarovski crystals....

whoo!

[Janv1er @ Jul 14th 2009 5:51PM]

It would be easier to use with gloves if the key were sticking out

[George @ Jul 14th 2009 5:50PM]

If I tried to use the keyboard with that glove, I'd look like the Predator punching in a self destruct code.

[Return of Jackson...whoo! @ Jul 14th 2009 5:53PM]

There is nothing wrong with looking like a Predator.. just don't prey on little children.

Schwarzenegger
- Predator
- Aliens

[egress63 @ Jul 14th 2009 5:56PM]

Now all we need is invisibility and a weird proboscis like face. :p

[NeoJew @ Jul 14th 2009 5:52PM]

You need to use the alt key for numbers!?
I think I'll stick with my Eclipse II thank you.

[curtisrutland @ Jul 14th 2009 6:07PM]

Yeah, I know. I love how the Eclipse II is designed to be worn on the wrist....oh wait, it's not. It's a full sized desktop keyboard, dumbass.

[smoothcrm7 @ Jul 14th 2009 7:12PM]

@curtisrutland Lmao i had to post just to say that

[NeoJew @ Jul 14th 2009 7:14PM]

Excuse me for having manly wrists that an Eclipse II can be worn on -.-

[Aaron @ Jul 15th 2009 1:51PM]

And by manly you mean freakishly huge, right? Sorry, we don't have a military made of giants.... though it would be kinda cool

[LaughingMan @ Jul 14th 2009 5:53PM]

Looks like something out of Metal Gear Solid 4. Johnny "Akiba" Sasaki used something like this.

[B3astofthe3ast @ Jul 14th 2009 6:37PM]

+1 i came into the comments looking for this.

[LaughingMan @ Jul 14th 2009 5:53PM]

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/metalgear/images/1/1c/JohnnyMGS4.jpg

[bublik @ Jul 14th 2009 5:57PM]

wow that is so messed up..

[Brent L. @ Jul 14th 2009 5:59PM]

Looks like a Nintendo Power Glove:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Glove

[Jake @ Jul 14th 2009 6:45PM]

I knew someone else would notice that it looks like a Power Glove. Now we just need Fred Savage playing Super Mario Bros 3 on a huge screen and we're all set!

[BlazeKing @ Jul 14th 2009 11:25PM]

You do know that this keyboard doesn't come with the glove, right?
Takes away from the whole point of it looking like a Power "Glove".

On the other hand, this is what Johnny (Akiba) from MGS4 wears. The shades
he wears also have LCD screens (to see the input obviously) and a wearable computer strapped
to his leg. He has no nanomachines in his body to keep in sync with his team, so he uses these items.

[A-T @ Jul 14th 2009 6:00PM]

Does it come with a wearable computer? A keyboard by itself is useless.

[I hate mingers @ Jul 14th 2009 6:01PM]

Pedo promotion Failed!

[amrkvati @ Jul 14th 2009 6:03PM]

wait for a pipboy.

[Ethan @ Jul 14th 2009 6:03PM]

I've got a mouse dangled round me right now, doesn't mean I'm wearing it.

[mr nimblewick @ Jul 14th 2009 6:03PM]

This will be perfect for my one-handed typing habits.

[Thunderbuck @ Jul 14th 2009 6:57PM]

We DON'T want to know...

[Rogue_Genius @ Jul 15th 2009 11:42AM]

While the potential applications of "one-handed typing" endeavors = gross...you're actually incorrect. This device necessitates using both arms (one to hold up the keyboard, the other to push the buttons). So you might have a free hand because it's not holding the keyboard, but the arm it's attached to will still be occupied functioning as a desk.

[d @ Jul 14th 2009 6:04PM]

iPhone hack anyone?

[ehoikilla @ Jul 14th 2009 6:06PM]

Now you can play FPS games like Warriors!!!

[rcurrie @ Jul 14th 2009 6:06PM]

http://www.club-nintendo.ch/boutique-2007/images/powerglove.jpg

[Steve Masiello @ Jul 14th 2009 6:10PM]

Looks like it was pulled from an old Psion palmtop, haha.

[digitallysick @ Jul 14th 2009 6:10PM]

If only they could make this into a glove, to work with the NES humm

[ill trooper @ Jul 14th 2009 6:13PM]

I think I need that for gaming night!

"I love the AK-39 glove... It's sooo bad!"

[jason @ Jul 14th 2009 6:40PM]

I'd bet that Lucas uses it to kill terrorists.

[Aaron C-T @ Jul 14th 2009 6:17PM]

I don't really understand.. there's no screen or anything.. what exactly are you entering?

[Wwhat @ Jul 14th 2009 6:50PM]

Not long ago there was an article on an eye thingy that projects text/images on an eyepiece, meant for the battlefield, so this would then be the other half I guess.

[aboriginal @ Jul 14th 2009 6:22PM]

So, you can text your squad that you're about to "bust a cap in this guy's ass, LOL". Bad enough people can't text and drive, but now text and shoot?

[Wwhat @ Jul 14th 2009 6:52PM]

Might be handy to type in the coordinates of where to bomb while you are under fire, rather than trying to shout it in a radio where it gets misheard and they mortar their own positions.

[jimbosmithy @ Jul 14th 2009 6:34PM]

Pretty lame.

[edtorious @ Jul 14th 2009 6:37PM]

This should have been on the Modern Warfare 2 Prestige Edition then I would definitely buy!!!

[Wwhat @ Jul 14th 2009 6:45PM]

Time for engadget to clean up their userbase before it's too late.

Not that I expect it can't be prevented that a site gets ruined eventually and people that don't care for that have to move on and find a new place, I'm not very optimistic with these things.

[Anomaly @ Jul 14th 2009 9:58PM]

Orion!? Is that you?!

[jinsei888 @ Jul 14th 2009 7:00PM]

ergonomic failure.

[red @ Jul 14th 2009 7:10PM]

whats the extension over the hand for? Is that used for input? I can't think of any other reason. By the way this thing is awesome.

[ED @ Jul 14th 2009 7:10PM]

Does it have some sort of laser communications port that can be pointed at the object you want to 'hack'?

[Wolfgame @ Jul 14th 2009 7:17PM]

Although this isn't quite as robust, L3 Systems has a very similar keyboard that I've had bookmarked for years for a couple of projects that I was working on. http://www.l3sys.com/wristpc/wristpc.html

[Terry Gho @ Jul 14th 2009 7:29PM]

Instead of posting useless comments above - it would be interesting to see if something like this has some sort of wireless connectivity instead of wires dangling about.

[Todd.Starbuck @ Jul 14th 2009 7:23PM]

That would be PERFECT for my cyberpunk halloween costume (idea).

i LOVE it!

WANT!!!!!

[jonbruck @ Jul 14th 2009 7:41PM]

Hold on, I'll type our coordinates with my badass gloves...

[ghosts6 @ Jul 14th 2009 7:44PM]

AKiba-39

[crow610 @ Jul 14th 2009 8:14PM]

Now you're playing with power

[kobioshi @ Jul 14th 2009 8:20PM]

Hm... I wonder if I can use this with my iPhone... problem solved!