After pioneering haptic gloves for digital actuality, Tokyo-based startup Diver-X is taking purpose at probably the most acquainted laptop instruments: the mouse. Its new Soften 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 system.
I had a hands-on session with the Soften Mouse prototype throughout a briefing with co-founder and CTO Kei Asano, the place I might take a look at its haptic suggestions and mode-switching in individual. I used to be impressed by each the refined, minimalist design and the flexibility of its 3-in-1 performance. It’s a type of uncommon prototypes that already feels polished sufficient that I might genuinely love to purchase one.
Editor’s observe: The images proven right here function a working prototype, not the ultimate manufacturing mannequin.
Kei Asano describes it as an try and “break the strict guidelines of what a mouse ought to be”.
“Each mouse appears to be like the identical — two buttons, a wheel, possibly some facet keys,” he mentioned throughout our assembly in Tokyo. “We thought we might break that rule by utilizing a few of 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 mission taught Asano’s group how delicate contact sensations might exchange conventional mechanical inputs. Co-founder and CTO Kei Asano recollects that early tasks as a pivotal lesson in interface design.
“If you find yourself mendacity down or in a restricted place, you understand how onerous 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} prospects.”
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 made out of strengthened curved glass with a micro-textured end to cut back fingerprints and add a delicate tactile friction.
Asano identified that the group examined varied supplies, together with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, earlier than choosing a barely extra versatile glass with fantastic floor bumps. The curved glass floor was refined by means of greater than ten prototype iterations to attain a steadiness between smoothness and tactile consolation throughout prolonged periods.
“If the floor is simply 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 seems like a click on — however with none shifting components. 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 energy: “Some folks like a robust click on; others favor one thing very gentle. You’ll be able to 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 throughout the assembly, and I discovered the contact responsiveness and haptic suggestions well-tuned. The delicate vibration provides 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 system each nice to make use of and intuitive.
The system contains an inner rechargeable battery, which may be charged through 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 possibly function as a conventional mouse, rework right into a trackpad, or reveal an illuminated digital numpad / shortcut keypad instantly on its floor.
In Trackpad Mode, gestures like swiping, tapping, or scrolling are acknowledged throughout the glass floor — ultimate for looking 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 perform 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 notably helpful for inventive software program like Photoshop or Blender, the place customers can rapidly enter pixel or vertex coordinates instantly from the mouse.
The rear facet options two customizable facet buttons that additionally help swipe gestures, enabling capabilities akin to window switching or app management.
MagSole: Adjustable Really feel and Ergonomics
The system’s base, referred to as MagSole, is removable and magnetically connected. It adjusts the glide friction based mostly on floor sort — easy for basic duties or extra managed for precision design work. Diver-X additionally plans to supply optionally available soles in numerous heights, colours, and textures, permitting customers to tailor ergonomics and aesthetics. The MagSole system has been exactly tuned to steadiness easy gliding with managed stopping, providing a extra constant really feel throughout completely 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. “If you use a mouse for months, the underside floor will get worn out,” mentioned Asano. “With MagSole, you may simply swap it and hold the identical efficiency.”
Designed Between Magnificence and Perform
As a former designer who as soon as relied closely on Apple merchandise, I’ve at all times discovered the Magic Mouse to be stunning however not comfy, whereas Logitech’s mice, although glorious for productiveness, lack aesthetic enchantment. Throughout our dialog, Asano shared the very same sentiment and added that the Diver-X group “needed 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 provides precision enter. The shape gently curves to suit the palm, putting a steadiness between magnificence and usefulness.
In hand, the prototype feels lighter than it appears to be like, with a refined tactile steadiness. Even the scrolling movement, pushed completely by haptic suggestions, is silent but expressive. Customers preferring the tactile absence can disable the haptics completely.
Deep Customization through Soften Studio
The companion Soften Studio app (out there 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 sturdy scroll haptics,” Asano admitted. “However my engineers love them, so we made every thing configurable. You’ll be able to 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 believe it’s price it.”
He acknowledged that Diver-X has not but carried out formal productiveness checks, however sees potential, particularly in inventive and modifying workflows, the place gestures and macros can save time.
“In case you use Photoshop or video instruments day by day, having your shortcuts at your fingertips could make an actual distinction,” he added.
Wanting Forward: Past Clicks
Soften Mouse is the primary product in Diver-X’s new Soften Interface line, which is able to give attention to translating the corporate’s XR experience into day by day productiveness instruments. Future units 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 doable.
“For many years the mouse has barely modified, but it stays probably the most important instrument on each desk,” mentioned CEO and co-founder Yamato Sakod. “With Soften Mouse, we needed to make it extra versatile, extra intuitive, and prepared for the longer term.”
Kickstarter marketing campaign hyperlink right here
Extra information: melt-interface.com
Filed in . Learn extra about Design, Designer, Innovation, Japan, Magic Mouse, Mouse, Trackpad, Consumer Interface and Digital Actuality (VR).
