For those that didn’t get the memo, physical keyboards are well on their way out… Say hello to virtual, sensor embeded peripherals like Minebea’s “Cool Leaf” line, for they are for sure the future. An amalgam of technologies developed for the design and development of Minebea’s keyboards, lighting devices (light guide plate-type backlights), measurement devices (force sensors), etc. The company recently disclosed a keyboard, remote control and calculator of the Cool Leaf series March 2, 2010, in Japan.

Easily cleanable and apparently impermeable to dirt and dust, Minebea plans to expand the use of the Cool Leaf to digital devices other than PC keyboards and remote controls, such as communication devices, residential devices, medical devices and much more. A few more examples below…

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