After pioneering haptic gloves for digital actuality, Tokyo-based startup Diver-X is taking goal at probably the most acquainted laptop instruments: the mouse. Its new Melt Mouse, launching on Kickstarter beneath the corporate’s Soften Interface model, combines a precision mouse, a trackpad, and a customizable shortcut keypad into one minimalist aluminum gadget.
I had a hands-on session with the Soften Mouse prototype throughout a briefing with co-founder and CTO Kei Asano, the place I may check its haptic suggestions and mode-switching in particular person. I used to be impressed by each the refined, minimalist design and the flexibility of its 3-in-1 performance. It’s a kind of uncommon prototypes that already feels polished sufficient that I might genuinely love to purchase one.
Editor’s be aware: The photographs proven right here characteristic a working prototype, not the ultimate manufacturing mannequin.
Kei Asano describes it as an try and “break the strict guidelines of what a mouse needs to be”.
“Each mouse appears the identical — two buttons, a wheel, possibly some aspect keys,” he mentioned throughout our assembly in Tokyo. “We thought we may break that rule by utilizing among the haptic know-how we developed for VR.”
From VR Gloves to On a regular basis Creativity
Diver-X’s roots lie in XR {hardware}. The corporate first gained consideration in 2022 with ContactGlove, a flex-sensor glove that tracked hand movement and delivered haptic suggestions with out requiring customers to carry a controller. That challenge taught Asano’s staff how delicate contact sensations may substitute conventional mechanical inputs. Co-founder and CTO Kei Asano recollects that early initiatives as a pivotal lesson in interface design.
“If you end up mendacity down or in a restricted place, you notice how arduous it’s to seize one thing in VR,” Asano defined throughout our Tokyo briefing. “We discovered that the interface—not the headset—is the important thing to increasing {hardware} potentialities.”
With Soften Mouse, Diver-X is transferring that analysis from immersive VR environments to the inventive workflow. The purpose: a tactile interface that feels intuitive but highly effective, with out including visible litter.
A Minimalist, Premium Type Issue
The Soften Mouse is crafted from a unibody aluminum shell, carved from a single CNC-milled block. The highest floor is created from bolstered curved glass with a micro-textured end to cut back fingerprints and add a delicate tactile friction.
Asano identified that the staff examined varied supplies, together with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, earlier than choosing a barely extra versatile glass with advantageous floor bumps. The curved glass floor was refined by way of greater than ten prototype iterations to attain a stability between smoothness and tactile consolation throughout prolonged periods.
“If the floor is just too easy, it feels synthetic,” he famous. “The micro-texture provides simply sufficient friction to really feel pure.”
Beneath the glass sits a customized haptic actuator that replaces all bodily buttons. Every faucet or scroll triggers a vibration that looks like a click on — however with none transferring elements. The click on weight, sensitivity, and scroll suggestions can all be adjusted within the companion Soften Studio software program.
Through the demo, Asano confirmed how customers can configure the tactile power: “Some folks like a robust click on; others desire one thing very mild. You possibly can set it precisely the way you need.”
“THE SUBTLE HAPTIC FEEDBACK GIVES JUST ENOUGH CONFIRMATION WITHOUT FEELING ARTIFICIAL — IT FEELS INTUITIVE RIGHT AWAY.”
I had hands-on expertise with the Soften Mouse prototype through the assembly, and I discovered the contact responsiveness and haptic suggestions well-tuned. The delicate vibration offers simply sufficient affirmation with out feeling synthetic, and the graceful, barely textured glass floor feels premium and pure beneath the fingers — a mix that makes the gadget each nice to make use of and intuitive.
The gadget contains an inside rechargeable battery, which might be charged by way of a USB-C connector discreetly hidden beneath the mouse to protect its clear, minimalist exterior.
The three-in-1 Interface: Mouse, Trackpad, and Shortcut Pad
What makes the Soften Mouse distinctive is its multi-mode performance. It will probably function as a standard mouse, rework right into a trackpad, or reveal an illuminated digital numpad / shortcut keypad immediately on its floor.
In Trackpad Mode, gestures like swiping, tapping, or scrolling are acknowledged throughout the glass floor — perfect for shopping or navigation when paired with an exterior monitor.
Switching to Shortcut Pad Mode prompts a glowing format of digital buttons beneath the glass. These can operate as a numpad for information entry or as macro keys for inventive workflows. Customers can assign instruments, macros, or key instructions for Photoshop, Blender, or video modifying. The illuminated 12-point grid makes the numeric pad significantly helpful for inventive software program like Photoshop or Blender, the place customers can rapidly enter pixel or vertex coordinates immediately from the mouse.
The rear aspect options two customizable aspect buttons that additionally assist swipe gestures, enabling capabilities reminiscent of window switching or app management.
MagSole: Adjustable Really feel and Ergonomics
The gadget’s base, known as MagSole, is removable and magnetically connected. It adjusts the glide friction primarily based on floor sort — easy for normal duties or extra managed for precision design work. Diver-X additionally plans to supply non-obligatory soles in several heights, colours, and textures, permitting customers to tailor ergonomics and aesthetics. The MagSole system has been exactly tuned to stability easy gliding with managed stopping, providing a extra constant really feel throughout totally different desk surfaces.
The replaceable MagSole and recyclable aluminum body additionally align with Diver-X’s purpose of constructing merchandise that last more and generate much less waste. “Once you use a mouse for months, the underside floor will get worn out,” mentioned Asano. “With MagSole, you’ll be able to simply swap it and maintain the identical efficiency.”
Designed Between Magnificence and Operate
As a former designer who as soon as relied closely on Apple merchandise, I’ve all the time discovered the Magic Mouse to be lovely however not comfy, whereas Logitech’s mice, although wonderful for productiveness, lack aesthetic enchantment. Throughout our dialog, Asano shared the very same sentiment and added that the Diver-X staff “wished one thing that’s each.”
“AS A DESIGNER, I APPRECIATE HOW THE MELT MOUSE MERGES BEAUTY AND FUNCTION WITHOUT COMPROMISE — IT’S A THOUGHTFUL TAKE ON A FAMILIAR TOOL.”
The Soften Mouse maintains clear, uninterrupted traces — no seen seams, no wheel, and no mechanical clicks — but nonetheless presents precision enter. The shape gently curves to suit the palm, placing a stability between magnificence and value.
In hand, the prototype feels lighter than it appears, with a refined tactile stability. Even the scrolling movement, pushed totally by haptic suggestions, is silent but expressive. Customers preferring the tactile absence can disable the haptics totally.
Deep Customization by way of Soften Studio
The companion Soften Studio app (obtainable for Home windows and macOS) permits full management over how the mouse behaves. Customers can:
- Modify haptic depth and click on resistance
- Assign app-specific macros and shortcuts
- Remap gestures or swipe zones
- Swap between profiles for various applications
“I don’t like robust scroll haptics,” Asano admitted. “However my engineers love them, so we made every part configurable. You possibly can flip it off or make it stronger — it’s as much as you.”
The mouse connects over Bluetooth and helps multi-device pairing for as much as three computer systems or tablets, with a small rear button for quick switching.
Premium Worth, Passionate Market
Priced at $230 for early backers ($280 retail), the Soften Mouse occupies a premium area of interest between luxurious peripherals {and professional} inventive instruments. Asano is aware of it is not going to enchantment to everybody, however he believes the viewers for design-driven {hardware} is rising.
“There are individuals who spend over $1,000 on keyboards,” he mentioned. “If a mouse improves your effectivity even 3 p.c, I feel it’s price it.”
He acknowledged that Diver-X has not but performed formal productiveness assessments, however sees potential, particularly in inventive and modifying workflows, the place gestures and macros can save time.
“If you happen to use Photoshop or video instruments each day, having your shortcuts at your fingertips could make an actual distinction,” he added.
Trying Forward: Past Clicks
Soften Mouse is the primary product in Diver-X’s new Soften Interface line, which can concentrate on translating the corporate’s XR experience into every day productiveness instruments. Future gadgets are anticipated to discover haptic suggestions in broader methods, bridging bodily and digital interplay. For Diver-X, the mouse is greater than an adjunct — it’s a assertion that innovation in on a regular basis instruments remains to be attainable.
“For many years the mouse has barely modified, but it stays essentially the most important device on each desk,” mentioned CEO and co-founder Yamato Sakod. “With Soften Mouse, we wished to make it extra versatile, extra intuitive, and prepared for the longer term.”
Kickstarter campaign link here
Extra information: melt-interface.com
Filed in . Learn extra about Design, Designer, Innovation, Japan, Magic Mouse, Mouse, Trackpad, User Interface and Virtual Reality (VR).
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