Ducky announced a new wireless keyboard, the Ducky OneX, which uses Cherry’s novel inductive analog switches. It comes in two layouts, 100% and 60%. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:

• Ducky OneX features:
  • Uses Cherry’s new inductive analog switches, a first according to Ducky.
  • Offers full-size and 60% layouts with tri-mode connectivity (2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired).
  • Boasts “really great” battery life due to the low power consumption of the inductive switches.
• What are inductive switches?
  • They provide analog functionality (ability to register key press depth) without needing a lot of power, unlike Hall effect switches.
  • This allows for a wireless design in the Ducky OneX.
• How do inductive switches work?
  • They use coils on the circuit board to detect the movement of a metal piece inside the switch, instead of individual sensors like Hall effect switches.
• Benefits of inductive switches (according to Ducky):
  • Lower power consumption compared to Hall effect switches, enabling wireless keyboards.
  • Can offer features like rapid trigger for fast-paced gaming.
• Potential drawbacks (mentioned by Wooting, another keyboard manufacturer):
  • Might be less precise than Hall effect switches.
  • May have limitations in polling rate (how often the keyboard reports key presses) due to the way inductive switches are scanned.

The Ducky OneX is a promising new entry in the growing market for analog keyboards. While the inductive technology has some potential drawbacks, it offers advantages like lower power consumption and enables wireless designs. Ducky and other manufacturers are likely to continue innovating in this space, offering more options for gamers and creative professionals who prefer analog keyboards.

Hall effect vs inductive vs TMR sensors in keyboard

Here’s a comparison of TMR, inductive, and Hall effect switches in the context of analog keyboards:

Technology:

• TMR (Tunneling Magnetoresistance): Uses a magnetic field’s effect on the electrical resistance of a material to detect key press depth.
• Inductive: Employs coils on the circuit board to sense the movement of a metal piece within the switch as you press a key.
• Hall Effect: Relies on magnets and Hall effect sensors to measure the magnetic field generated by a magnet in the switch as it moves.

Pros:

• TMR: Potentially very low power consumption, potentially high precision and polling rates (good for fast response).
• Inductive: Lower power consumption compared to Hall effect, enables wireless keyboard designs.
• Hall Effect: High precision and potentially high polling rates, well-established technology.

Cons:

• TMR: New technology, not yet widely used in keyboards, needs further development.
• Inductive: Might be less precise than Hall effect, potentially limited polling rates due to scanning complexity.
• Hall Effect: Requires a sensor for each switch (can increase power consumption), not ideal for wireless keyboards due to higher power draw.

Choosing the right switch:

• For wireless keyboards: Inductive or potentially future TMR designs might be the way to go due to their lower power consumption.
• For wired keyboards: Hall effect could be a good option for prioritizing precision and high polling rates.
• Future considerations: TMR sensors hold promise for combining the benefits of low power consumption with high precision, making them a technology to watch in the future of wireless analog keyboards.

Right now there’s SCORPIUS-M18-TMR wired keyboard being developed with TMR switches.