Google has already brought some unusual innovations to the market. Some have gone better, others have unfortunately become a flop. As far as the latest idea is concerned, we’ll have to wait and see, but at first glance it seems extremely unusual. With a new high-tech tattoo, the skin becomes a giant touchpad.
The so-called SkinMarks are new types of skin-mounted I/O devices for precisely localized input and output. The scratch-off tattoos adapt to fine wrinkles and are compatible with all parts of the body.
The vision behind the tattoo project is that interaction with technology should appear more natural than is possible with traditional keyboards and computer mice. The SkinMarks can be applied as tattoos to all parts of the body, such as fingers or parts of the hand, and controlled with our instinctive fine motor skills.
“Due to a strongly reduced tattoo thickness and an increased extensibility, a SkinMark is sufficiently thin and flexible to adapt to irregular geometries like bending lines and protruding bones”
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Innovation profile: SkinMarks
The Saarland University was brought on board for the development, so that they could work on the finer points of interactive control. The innovation is one of many wearable products that Google is working on to actively shape the future.
SkinMarks are unique on the market and turn the entire body into a touchpad through discreet, adaptable wearables. The tattoos are extremely novel and unprecedented. The research collaboration between Google and the University of Saarland is not extremely complex, but has a high level of conflict or uncertainty because the control via the skin cannot function optimally and can lead to frustration for the user.
Conclusion: Google SkinMarks are still at the very beginning of their development, but this type of human-computer interaction can be trend-setting for an elegant and future-oriented computer use.
Post Picture: Google
