Google is working on an innovative project referred to as ‘SkinMarks’, in collaboration with Saarland University in Germany. SkinMarks is designed to develop a high-tech temporary tattoo that can transform the skin into a functional touchpad.
This groundbreaking endeavor was initiated in 2017 and aims to enhance electronic device usability by enabling natural body movements like touch and gestures, similar to interactions on smartphones and tablets.
The tattoos are crafted using screen printing technology using conductive ink on tattoo paper, which is heat-treated to maintain its shape applicable to the skin. The tattoos will be equipped with sensors allowing them to respond to actions such as finger squeezes or bends. This futuristic technique will leverage the concept of skin and epidermal electronics, turning skin into an interactive surface for human-computer interaction.
The project is built on previous discoveries like iSkin’s stretchable skin overlays, which capture touch and pressure input for mobile computing. The development of SkinMarks represents a significant breakthrough and Google’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of human-computer interfaces.
