Technology turns human skin into mobile touch screen

A group of German scientists have come up with the idea of ​​turning human skin into a mobile touch screen.

With iSkin technology, ultra-thin sensors can be attached to many locations on the skin. Photo: Reuters.

Xinhua reported on August 11 that iSkin technology designed by scientists at the Max Plank Institute in Germany will allow people to control smartphones by swiping tattoos on the back of their hands.

Essentially, iSkins are ultra-thin sensors that can be flexibly applied to the skin like a temporary tattoo, turning human skin into a large touchscreen.

According to developer Martin Weigel, this technology will revolutionize the world of wearables. "Current electronic devices mainly use rigid components that are uncomfortable to wear on the body and have limited locations for use, such as the wrist or the head," said Weigel. "But our sensors are very flexible and scalable, so they can be placed in many locations, such as behind the ear or the back of the hand. This will allow us to have a much larger input screen than conventional electronic devices."

Unlike plasma or LED displays, iSkin is made from biocompatible silicone rubber, so the sensors can detect touch even when stretched or bent. With the prototype, users can answer incoming calls, play music, and adjust the phone volume by touching the skin. The team also designed a roll-up keyboard that allows typing on the back of the hand.

Weigen said they were inspired to create the skin sensor from robotics technology. "Initially, the technology was used to give robots the familiar feel of the human body and human skin. However, we have been looking at how it can be used as a second skin on the body to control mobile devices."

The new technology has also been used to create components that can sense touch, pressure, and temperature. But Wiegel and his colleagues have bigger plans. “We are working on using the body as a power source and harvesting electricity directly from body heat or blood pressure,” Wiegel says.

According to VnExpress