The future of touchscreen interfaces is: you? A project between a Carnegie Mellon researcher and a couple of creative thinkers over at Microsoft Research have created Skinput, a Bluetooth-enabled device that allows you to use your own skin as a peripheral input device for devices like cell phones, MP3 players or gaming consoles.
The device works via an armband, which contains a small projector that beams whatever relevant interface you need onto your hand or forearm. Then you simply press the appropriate part of your skin just like you were tapping the screen of an iPhone. An acoustic sensor in the armband can tell where you are tapping because of the different bond densities, tissues, and other differentiating factors inherent in your body’s geography.
Bluetooth then transmits the corresponding signal to the appropriate device; if you’ve just dialed a phone number, it sends the info to your phone and dials the call.
While it seems pretty dazzling and all, we can’t help but question the benefits. For one, dialing on your skin only seems like a benefit if it means we don’t have to carry an extra device around with us; if the added benefit of using my arm as, say, my TV remote means I have to don an armband at all times, I’m not sure I’ve gained anything. Not to mention, if I dial a phone number on my hand and then have to reach into my pocket to get my phone with that same hand, have I really saved myself any trouble over simply retrieving the phone before I dial? I guess I could get a Bluetooth headset to go truly hands free, but then I would be one of those people with a Bluetooth headset.The technology, however, is pretty amazing, and could be the precursor to a range of software that doesn’t work off input devices as we know them (mice, keyboards, touchscreens) but rather projects interfaces onto a surface of your choosing and let’s you input without peripherals. If nothing else, it will turn heads on the street when you start scrolling through your apps via your forearm.
Five amazing, clean technologies that will set us free, in this month's energy-focused issue. Also: how to build a better bomb detector, the robotic toys that are raising your children, a human catapult, the world's smallest arcade, and much more.


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"but then I would be one of those people with a Bluetooth headset."
Couldn't have put it better myself :-)
it'd be great for texting. you wouldn't have to get your phone out and would be easier to be sneaky in school or wherever, it'd look like you're just tapping your hand:)
This could be great for Football Quarterbacks.
Well, depending on how you view it, this could be a step in the direction of the arm mounted Omni-tools of Mass Effect. While they're not the holographic projection of said tech, it's a similar idea. Give it the ability to interface with your computer as well as act as a mobile touchscreen for said computer in addition to a small qwerty keyboard and a list of basic commands and you have a very flexible system which can be used anywhere without the need for a desk of surface to place your computer on.
... and for those joystick games ;P
I cant wait to get it on my hand, get it? (get my hands on it.
-cough- Sixth Sense much? -cough-
Maybe in the future we could replace the projector with Augmented reality, sure that translates into the glasses, but the augmented reality will have so many other uses so one might already be wearing the glasses before actually acquiring this software.
glasses? pfft... ocular implants.
oh oh... here come Apple's Lawyers, another patent infringement lawsuit for "touch" technology?
Hello
After reading this article I haven't stopped thinking about my late father. He lost his left hand when he was 16. A viable replacement was never there for him.
If you look at your hand (palm up) and move one finger at a time while watching your wrist you will see specific areas of your wrist respond. Even though my father's hand was no longer there he could still move, see his fingers move in his wrist. Could this not be designed as an interface for a replacement/robotic hand, arm, foot, etc for those like him? Instead of trying to do so with what has proven to be a very difficult and problematic neuro approach.
I think the article's author missed the point. The potential here is huge. A computer is basically one or more postage-stamp-sized chips in communication. The input and output interfaces are the money-wasting add-ons loaded with the majority of pollutants. If I were able carry an armband [one device that size which serves as keyboard (or touch-screen interface) as well as monitor] that communicates to a chip even smaller than the remote which opens my car door, I would be able to carry my computer, cell phone and all electronic devices in a small, green package at lower cost. The Carnegie-Mellon researcher is likely Lee (of Wii remote smartboard) or a colleague.
Seriously? www.pranavmistry.com/projects/sixthsense/
What happened to originality?
Shame on you popsci for not researching.
Ya, sixth sense for sure. I think an improvement on the design is to do something like in the Johnny Mnemonic movie. A pair of sunglasses where the augmented reality is displayed in the sunglasses rather than projected. I know it sounds like the blue tooth thing but you could probably even wire in an earphone too. I think they have some MP3 shades like that. The only thing you would need on the glasses is a display that reads "I'm on the phone" so people wouldn't think you're talking to them or yourself.
I like the idea of "augmented reality" too, but for now, skinput may not be better, but it doesn't need colored tape on your fingers.
The site seems to think I'm spamming it every time I put a link to this page in, but popsci did an article on sixth sense in the invention awards of 2009
great! I like it, the future of touchscreen interfaces is very fun.
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at first I thought someone had had surgery to have LCD touchscreens inserted under their skin!
I think Microsoft came with a such idea a few years ago. Yes, can You believe? Microsoft, but they said at the time the technology was in early stages. Oi Torpedo|90|Hotel
great! I like it, the future of touchscreen interfaces is very fun.
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That looks really scary stuff a bit like the scientist that injected computer viruses, getting a bit odd really..
mobile I'm not sure how I feel about it really.
this could be really cool to get in touch with someone quickly. you wouldnt have to take your phone out or anything. it would be a great was to communicate without others seein you.
that is soo cool thanks http://articles.uvc.cc
Isn't it fascinating what the current technological breakthroughs can do, least it means you won't leave your phone at home and not be able to call. Where are the numbers stored? www.3kmobile.com Will save on space in your bag or pocket where the phone lives.
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at first I thought someone had had surgery to have LCD touchscreens inserted under their skin!
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