[SonderDesign]

I'm one of the founders, the first unit used a prototype EPD from E Ink Holdings, a custom display with around $500k in NRE was developed for a Macbook size keyboard module. This single large display with a magnetic mechanism operating around the footprint meant the total unit cost in COGS was significantly lower than $100USD at scale. The entire mechanism was only a few mm in height including the display. The travel and tactile profile was designed to a butterfly switch mechanism spec.

[jrockway]

Your keyboard is neat, but I just don't think it's for me. If you've ever looked through menus for some command, you know that it never feels good. Looking down at your keyboard and doing the same visual search would feel just as bad.

If I were spending on keyboard research and development, I'd want a silent design that feels as tactile as buckling spring switches. That would benefit me (and anyone nearby) every time I press a key, which is thousands of time per day. A display on each key? Neat, but that's about it.