Human skin as a control panel
May 20, 2018 | 10:20 |4953
Super-strong and responsive screens, holographic interfaces, miniature control devices with the help of gestures/look/voice. Mankind came up with a lot of devices in order to manage other devices. And does not stop there. Meet Multi-Touch Skin - a device that turns your skin into an input device.Maya AMANMURADOVA
It sounds like it was peeped in some science fiction film about the distant 30th century of our era. But scientists at the University of Saar have already implemented this idea.
The idea to use the skin as a touch input device is not new and is being actively developed by several companies. But the Multi-Touch Skin differs from them in its simplicity and size: it is smaller, thinner and more invisible.
It consists of two conductive layers, "marked up" by sensors. This allows you to accurately determine the location in which the touch changes the electrical capacity. The composition also contains silver-plated PET-plastic and polyvinyl chloride.
And now the most important thing: Multi-Touch Skin is cheap and easy to manufacture. And can be created with almost any inkjet printer filled with touch ink.
While scientists have created 2 types of working prototypes for controlling audio players. The first is fixed behind the ear. Carrying up or down, you can adjust the volume, the forward and reverse movements change tracks, and tap pauses. The same functions are endowed with a second sensor located on the wrist.
Now the device looks unusual and alien, more like a medical plaster. But scientists already know how to make it more invisible or, conversely, to turn not just into an ergonomic assistant, but also a bright decoration.
The developers also plan to integrate their technology into most desktop and mobile systems and devices to create more convenient control devices.
