GROUP BUY INFO
The Altair and Altair-X group buy will be live from April 29th to June 3rd. Vendor and final details are still being worked on.
Estimated shipping: Q1 2025
MEET THE FAMILY
ALTAIR
5 row, split ergo
Starting at only $315
Kit contents: left + right 5-row cases (alu), left + right weights (brass), left + right PCBs, 2x reversible plate (PC), 2x daughterboard, 2x flat ribbon cables, 1x USB-C to USB-C cable, gaskets, hardware, carry case, CK-branded shipping box
Dark Grey
E-white
Rose Gold
ALTAIR-X
4 row, split ergo
Starting at only $300
Kit contents: left + right 4-row cases (alu), left + right weights (brass), left + right PCBs, 2x reversible plate (PC), 2x daughterboard, 2x flat ribbon cables, 1x USB-C to USB-C cable, gaskets, hardware, carry case, CK-branded shipping box
Dark Grey
E-white
Rose Gold
When designing the Altair family of keyboards, ai03 used three pillars to act as design beacons. These three pillars can be seen throughout the keyboard design and philosophy.
Ease of Learning
While visually unique, Altair closely matches a typical keyboard in general key positions.
Care has been taken to make sure that anyone can learn the layout quickly, while also being able to jump between Altair and other keyboard layouts when necessary.
Typing Excellence
Altair’s key placement matches natural finger movement ranges closely, minimizing both finger and hand-movement during use.
This in return minimizes typing effort and strain, while also contributing to higher possible typing accuracy and speeds.
The Ergo Advantage
Altair’s layer switching keys are conveniently placed right next to the spacebars, allowing for convenient layer switching with minimal finger movement.
Taking full advantage of Altair’s split design, an extra column has been added to the inner side. This allows the use of more macros, dedicated brakcets for programming efficiency, or even a duplicate set of alphas.
ALTAIR KEYCAPS
In collaboration with our partners at NicePBT, we are excited to announce two keysets designed by RHHDailo that are tailor made to be used with Altair and Altair X. These low moq sets will be available as an addon during the group buy, and cost only $27 for Altair-X, and $30 for Altair!
ALTAIR
$30 Addon Keyset
ALTAIR-X
$27 Addon Keyset
FORM MATCHES FUNCTION
Carefully drawn curves wrap around the keys, integrating the ergonomic key layout into part of the visuals. A unique mix of soft organic curves and bold straight edges create a dynamic aesthetic, allowing Altair to stand out visually.
A bottom emblem weight adds the final visual touch, while also serving as an acoustic damper and a crucial mass to anchor the compact board to the desk.
SCULPTING AND ENGINEERING IN TANDEM
Altair features a unique PCB gasket mounting system. Small gasket columns hold the PCB from below around the rim, allowing for even vibration and impact absorption with no rigid spots close to mounting points.
Special screws act as columns that keep the internals secured and aligned within the single-part case, making the gasket mount possible without the need for multiple case parts.
THE POWER OF TWO
Each half of an Altair has its own MCU and USB-C ports, making it effectively two keyboards. Each half can be placed close together, far apart, and anywhere in between. Simply connect them with a USB-C cable and you're good to go. You can even use just one half as a stand alone keyboard/macropad.
With Altair, you control the typing experience.
NO COMPROMISE SOLUTIONS
Altair take custom to the next level. Custom case. Custom PCBs. Custom Daughterboards. Each piece working together in perfect coordination to make the unique layout possible without compromising form or function.
The PCB edge bends to perfectly match the case, and the daughterboard precisely angles its USB connectors to match the rear curvature while minimizing interior cutouts.
Altair cuts no corners with high-end tuning and optimization. Its 7° incline and a front ledge that drops down as low as 16.7mm at its tip allows the keyboard to remain comfortable to use even without the assistance of a wristrest.
SPECIFICATIONS
ALTAIR
-
7° typing angle -
~1200g total weight -
Aprx 144 x 127 x 30mm -
1.2mm hotswap PCB -
Aluminum chassis -
PC plate -
Brass weight only -
PCB gasket mount -
E-White, Dark Grey, and Rose Gold
ALTAIR-X
-
7° typing angle -
~900g total weight -
Aprx 144 x 108 x 28mm -
1.2mm hotswap PCB -
Aluminum chassis -
PC plate -
Brass weight only -
PCB gasket mount -
E-White, Dark Grey, and Rose Gold
ADDONS AND INCLUSIONS
We are planning to offer several addons to customize your Altair and Altair-X. Some of these will be included with the keyboard, and others will be sold as addons only. We are still determining the specifics at this time.
- Foam layers
- Custom hard carrying case
- Custom wrist rests
- Extra plates
- Extra PCBs
- Wooden wrist rests
- Custom keyset
STAY UP TO DATE
Vendors, pricing, and final details have yet to be determined. The current plan is for Altair to be sold via group buy. Use one of the links below to keep up to date on all things Altair and Altair-X.
THE FIVE YEAR JOURNEY
Starting with the Altair predecessor Orbit back in 2018, ai03 has spent 5 years iterating and fine tuning the design of the Altair family. With projects of passion like this one, we feel it's incredibly important to share as much of the story as possible. Below is a timeline that goes over a fraction of the over 1,000 days that went into making the Altair and Altair-X a reality, as well as a brief Q&A.
DESIGNER Q&A
Q: No Tenting Kits?
A: I don't have one planned this time around - adding tenting or variable angle capabilities either adds complexity that raises the board height and makes it difficult to type on, or adds mechanical complexity that raises cost in addition to the challenge of having to create two keyboards for the price of one.
Also, part of it comes down to personal preference - I originally tried a tented design with the Orbit, and found it too unwieldy to use without a wristrest; since I value keyboard versatility, I decided to ditch it altogether and optimize the board for a single-angle with a very low front height so it could be comfortably used even without tenting or a wristrest.
Q: Which form factor is better for me?
A: The five-row Altair may be easier to adjust to in steps due to having a numrow.The four-row Altair-X may be more suited for those looking for a compact solution.
Q: How long does it take to adjust to this layout?
A: This will depend from person to person. In the case of the designer of the board, it took 3 weeks to reach the same speed and typing accuracy jumping straight from a tenkeyless board, and another 2~3 weeks to exceed previous speeds and accuracies.
Q: How should I plan my Altair(-X) build?
A: Here are some recommendations:
- Since ergonomic keyboards are often typed with the wrists anchored, there is less force to press each switch. Try a switch lighter than usual.
- Altair's unique internals can make switches sound very different from a typical keyboard. Try various switches until you find one that suits your preferences for this board in particular.
- Look for keyset compatibility that can cover an ortholinear keyboard such as a Planck.
DESIGN TIMELINE
2018
The development of ergonomic keyboards began in 2018 after finding inspiration from Tokyo keyboard meetups of the time, where the vast majority of boards on display were of ergonomic nature.
Blending the ergonomic factor and high-end custom keyboard design, the Orbit split ergonomic keyboard was designed and sold as a semi-private group buy.
2019
The original Orbit design was revised based on feedback, such as by moving the interconnect cable to the rear for greater freedom in placement.
Hard-to-reach keys along the rims were removed entirely, and new technologies such as seamless case detachment and internal case screws were applied.
This design was finalized as the Orbit-X.
2020 and 2021
The Orbit-X design was once again revised, this time based on a year of real-world usage as a daily driver. Internals were overhauled to remove stiff points near plate mounting points, and acoustics were brought up to comparable standards against newer designs within the constraints of the small case size.
Keys that proved difficult to press near the outer front corners were removed, and new keys were added along the inner column in accessible locations.
This new design was finalized as the Altair-X, and a variant with a numrow was developed as the Altair.
2022 and 2023
The Altair-X was used extensively as a daily driver for over two years, and was subject to real-world reliability tests, such as robustness in shipping and transport, ESD handling in the winter, and heavy use for designing other keyboards and writing software.
Minor issues were addressed based on the usage, such as moving the rubber feet for maximized stability and replacing the internal daughterboard cable with a flat ribbon cable to reduce its impact on typing feel.
This revised iteration of the Altair-X, and the revised Altair based on it, is the final version being presented on this page.
After half a decade of development and over two years of use as a daily driver, Altair and Altair-X represent ai03’s current benchmark in keyboard design for productivity and comfort. Going beyond just internals or mounting methods, the Altair family blends a fully-split ergonomic key layout with high-end keyboard visuals and internals to take typing comfort to the next level.
GROUP BUY INFO
The Altair and Altair-X group buy will be live from April 29th to June 3rd. Vendor and final details are still being worked on.
MEET THE FAMILY
ALTAIR
5 row, split ergo
Starting at only $315
Kit contents: left + right 5-row cases (alu), left + right weights (brass), left + right PCBs, 2x reversible plate (PC), 2x daughterboard, 2x flat ribbon cables, 1x USB-C to USB-C cable, gaskets, hardware, carry case, CK-branded shipping box
Dark Grey
E-white
Rose Gold
ALTAIR-X
4 row, split ergo
Starting at only $300
Kit contents: left + right 4-row cases (alu), left + right weights (brass), left + right PCBs, 2x reversible plate (PC), 2x daughterboard, 2x flat ribbon cables, 1x USB-C to USB-C cable, gaskets, hardware, carry case, CK-branded shipping box
Dark Grey
E-white
Rose Gold
When designing the Altair family of keyboards, ai03 used three pillars to act as design beacons. These three pillars can be seen throughout the keyboard design and philosophy.
Ease of Learning
While visually unique, Altair closely matches a typical keyboard in general key positions.
Care has been taken to make sure that anyone can learn the layout quickly, while also being able to jump between Altair and other keyboard layouts when necessary.
Typing Excellence
Altair’s key placement matches natural finger movement ranges closely, minimizing both finger and hand-movement during use.
This in return minimizes typing effort and strain, while also contributing to higher possible typing accuracy and speeds.
The Ergo Advantage
Altair’s layer switching keys are conveniently placed right next to the spacebars, allowing for convenient layer switching with minimal finger movement.
Taking full advantage of Altair’s split design, an extra column has been added to the inner side. This allows the use of more macros, dedicated brakcets for programming efficiency, or even a duplicate set of alphas.
ALTAIR KEYCAPS
In collaboration with our partners at NicePBT, we are excited to announce two keysets designed by RHHDailo that are tailor made to be used with Altair and Altair X. These low moq sets will be available as an addon during the group buy, and cost only $27 for Altair-X, and $30 for Altair!
ALTAIR
$30 Addon Keyset
ALTAIR-X
$27 Addon Keyset
FORM MATCHES FUNCTION
Carefully drawn curves wrap around the keys, integrating the ergonomic key layout into part of the visuals. A unique mix of soft organic curves and bold straight edges create a dynamic aesthetic, allowing Altair to stand out visually.
A bottom emblem weight adds the final visual touch, while also serving as an acoustic damper and a crucial mass to anchor the compact board to the desk.
SCULPTING AND ENGINEERING IN TANDEM
Altair features a unique PCB gasket mounting system. Small gasket columns hold the PCB from below around the rim, allowing for even vibration and impact absorption with no rigid spots close to mounting points.
Special screws act as columns that keep the internals secured and aligned within the single-part case, making the gasket mount possible without the need for multiple case parts.
THE POWER OF TWO
Each half of an Altair has its own MCU and USB-C ports, making it effectively two keyboards. Each half can be placed close together, far apart, and anywhere in between. Simply connect them with a USB-C cable and you're good to go. You can even use just one half as a stand alone keyboard/macropad.
With Altair, you control the typing experience.
NO COMPROMISE SOLUTIONS
Altair take custom to the next level. Custom case. Custom PCBs. Custom Daughterboards. Each piece working together in perfect coordination to make the unique layout possible without compromising form or function.
The PCB edge bends to perfectly match the case, and the daughterboard precisely angles its USB connectors to match the rear curvature while minimizing interior cutouts.
Altair cuts no corners with high-end tuning and optimization. Its 7° incline and a front ledge that drops down as low as 16.7mm at its tip allows the keyboard to remain comfortable to use even without the assistance of a wristrest.
SPECIFICATIONS
ALTAIR
-
7° typing angle -
~1200g total weight -
Aprx 144 x 127 x 30mm -
1.2mm hotswap PCB -
Aluminum chassis -
PC plate -
Brass weight only -
PCB gasket mount -
E-White, Dark Grey, and Rose Gold
ALTAIR-X
-
7° typing angle -
~900g total weight -
Aprx 144 x 108 x 28mm -
1.2mm hotswap PCB -
Aluminum chassis -
PC plate -
Brass weight only -
PCB gasket mount -
E-White, Dark Grey, and Rose Gold
ADDONS AND INCLUSIONS
We are planning to offer several addons to customize your Altair and Altair-X. Some of these will be included with the keyboard, and others will be sold as addons only. We are still determining the specifics at this time.
- Foam layers
- Custom hard carrying case
- Custom wrist rests
- Extra plates
- Extra PCBs
- Wooden wrist rests
- Custom keyset
STAY UP TO DATE
Vendors, pricing, and final details have yet to be determined. The current plan is for Altair to be sold via group buy. Use one of the links below to keep up to date on all things Altair and Altair-X.
THE FIVE YEAR JOURNEY
Starting with the Altair predecessor Orbit back in 2018, ai03 has spent 5 years iterating and fine tuning the design of the Altair family. With projects of passion like this one, we feel it's incredibly important to share as much of the story as possible. Below is a timeline that goes over a fraction of the over 1,000 days that went into making the Altair and Altair-X a reality, as well as a brief Q&A.
DESIGNER Q&A
Q: No Tenting Kits?
A: I don't have one planned this time around - adding tenting or variable angle capabilities either adds complexity that raises the board height and makes it difficult to type on, or adds mechanical complexity that raises cost in addition to the challenge of having to create two keyboards for the price of one.
Also, part of it comes down to personal preference - I originally tried a tented design with the Orbit, and found it too unwieldy to use without a wristrest; since I value keyboard versatility, I decided to ditch it altogether and optimize the board for a single-angle with a very low front height so it could be comfortably used even without tenting or a wristrest.
Q: Which form factor is better for me?
A: The five-row Altair may be easier to adjust to in steps due to having a numrow.The four-row Altair-X may be more suited for those looking for a compact solution.
Q: How long does it take to adjust to this layout?
A: This will depend from person to person. In the case of the designer of the board, it took 3 weeks to reach the same speed and typing accuracy jumping straight from a tenkeyless board, and another 2~3 weeks to exceed previous speeds and accuracies.
Q: How should I plan my Altair(-X) build?
A: Here are some recommendations:
- Since ergonomic keyboards are often typed with the wrists anchored, there is less force to press each switch. Try a switch lighter than usual.
- Altair's unique internals can make switches sound very different from a typical keyboard. Try various switches until you find one that suits your preferences for this board in particular.
- Look for keyset compatibility that can cover an ortholinear keyboard such as a Planck.
DESIGN TIMELINE
2018
The development of ergonomic keyboards began in 2018 after finding inspiration from Tokyo keyboard meetups of the time, where the vast majority of boards on display were of ergonomic nature.
Blending the ergonomic factor and high-end custom keyboard design, the Orbit split ergonomic keyboard was designed and sold as a semi-private group buy.
2019
The original Orbit design was revised based on feedback, such as by moving the interconnect cable to the rear for greater freedom in placement.
Hard-to-reach keys along the rims were removed entirely, and new technologies such as seamless case detachment and internal case screws were applied.
This design was finalized as the Orbit-X.
2020 and 2021
The Orbit-X design was once again revised, this time based on a year of real-world usage as a daily driver. Internals were overhauled to remove stiff points near plate mounting points, and acoustics were brought up to comparable standards against newer designs within the constraints of the small case size.
Keys that proved difficult to press near the outer front corners were removed, and new keys were added along the inner column in accessible locations.
This new design was finalized as the Altair-X, and a variant with a numrow was developed as the Altair.
2022 and 2023
The Altair-X was used extensively as a daily driver for over two years, and was subject to real-world reliability tests, such as robustness in shipping and transport, ESD handling in the winter, and heavy use for designing other keyboards and writing software.
Minor issues were addressed based on the usage, such as moving the rubber feet for maximized stability and replacing the internal daughterboard cable with a flat ribbon cable to reduce its impact on typing feel.
This revised iteration of the Altair-X, and the revised Altair based on it, is the final version being presented on this page.
