Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab collaborates with Microsoft Research to reveal a new smart tattoo called DuoSkin. This new project aims to use temporary tattoos as a connected interface that can be used in different ways. Based on the reports, the tattoo will act as a wearable gadget that enables your skin to act as a touchpad and control electronic gadgets such as cellphones or laptops.
According to Tech Times, MIT researchers describe DuoSkin as a fabrication process leading towards the future creation of modified functional devices that can be attached onto the user's skin. Cindy Hsin-Liu Kao, MIT Media Lab PhD student, says the project was inspired from the increasing trend of metallic temporary tattoos making DuoSkin a mixture of the existing fashion with significant functions on the modern world.
Kao added that there is an enormous culture of cosmetics and street fashion in Taiwan. These street fashion is said to be affordable and accessible enough allowing people to change their presence whenever they like. DuoSkin's research team aims on doing the same culture with the project. The material used in 'DuoSkin' is gold metal leaf, cheap and skin-friendly material that is suitable for everyday use.
According to Yibada, gold metal leaf has been primarily used by DuoSkin due to its basic conductivity on a low price. The material is then mixed with other components such as vinyl cutter and a temporary printing paper. LEDs were also used occasionally to create the impressive DuoSkin project. Based on the reports, DuoSkin can used in three different kind of ways: an input interface, output interface or a communication interface.
The tattoos can be used as an input interface through transforming the user's skin into a trackpad-like function to control the connected mobile devices. Next, tattoos used as an output has the ability to show. soft displays to the user's skin and changes the color depending on the skin's temperature. Lastly, tattoos can be used as communication interface through holding off data which is detectable by other devices using the NFC wireless technology.
Kao said that it will bring a great change heading to the future both on fashion and technology. It blends flawlessly to the society today. Researchers say that it will be having more features and customization options regarding on the designs of the tattoos. DuoSkin could be a great alternative to the more bulky wearable technology such as smartwatches.
