Google Japan has unveiled its latest novelty keyboard: a conveyor belt that moves keys under the user's fingertips. The device is clearly a joke, part of an annual tradition that began in 2010 as an April Fools' Day gag and later shifted to October 1. According to Engadget, the keyboard is intended to promote Gboard, Google's Android keyboard app, and the project's absurdity is very much in keeping with the playful spirit of earlier prototypes.
Past entries in the series include a drumset keyboard, a Morse code single-key device, a bubble wrap keyboard, and a hat-shaped keycap that users rotate on their heads. This year's conveyor belt version is positioned as a one-handed input tool that cuts down on fatigue by bringing keys to the user rather than requiring hand movement. While it is not available for purchase, Google has released the plans on GitHub for anyone who wants to build their own.
The annual tradition has become a way for Google Japan to showcase creativity while keeping Gboard in the spotlight. Engadget notes that the company has put considerable effort into defending the absurd use case, and the result is both amusing and a reminder of a more playful era of Google culture. The source does not mention any competing interpretations or disagreements, as it is the only report cited.