iKey AK-39 Wearable Keyboard [Rugged Sleeve Based Keyboard Replaces Heart, Means Business]

On occasions I’ve been told that I wear my heart on my sleeve but now, thanks to iKey and their newly announced AK-39 Wearable Keyboard, I have other options which, apart from meaning I’ll be suitably tooled up to enter data in mission critical situations, also means I’ll probably get myself into far less trouble than is otherwise the case.

The iKey AK-39 Wearable Keyboard is billed as being ‘a simple, compact data-input solution that does not restrict the user’s arm movements’ and whilst it may look like a portable IM accessory it means serious business in meeting particularly strict MIL-461 standards meaning not only is it tough but it’ll happily continue to work in ‘very harsh’ electro magnetic interference (EMI) environments.

Designed for use by military personal as well as those dealing with that the makers refer to as ‘public safety applications’ the iKey AK-39 Wearable Keyboard, which has been configured to work with gloves, comes with an integrated Force Sensing Resistor (FSR) pointing device offering left- and right-click functionality that serves to act as a mouse and as well as boasting green backlighting you can even opt for night vision compatible backlighting allowing for operation in complete darkness without any otherwise require illumination giving your position away.

Coming with USB connectivity, meaning you could hook it up to your netbook to allow you to Tweet on the move whilst looking particularly foreboding (never a bad thing) the iKey AK-39 Wearable Keyboard, which, incidentally, is also ruggedized to meet NEMA 4X standards (meaning its both water and dust resistant) and which apart from operating in temperatures ranging from -40C to +70C also fastens to your arm with Velcro (meaning it’ll fit all arms regardless of size) can be obtained now, however, pricing is only offered on a quote basis following contact (probably in the dead of night or via dead letter box, or email) so we cannot advise as to how much it’ll set you back.

Safe to say, therefore, that it probably costs an arm and a leg – but you should be fine as most people have two arms, thus leaving you one to strap it too though typing could prove somewhat difficult.

iKey [via Dvice]