Microsoft's Skinput

Researchers as Carnegie Mellon University and Microsoft have found a way to use your skin as an interactive surface. Imagine tapping your forearm or hand to control a phone or an MP3? Well, the technology is not too far away. A working prototype of a system called Skinput that in effect, does just that, coupled with tiny projectors the system can use the skin as a surface, which turns your arm or hand into a keyboard and screen.

The skin-based input system was developed to overcome the problematic interaction with the gadgets we already carry around, as they don't seem to be getting any smaller. In essence, Skinput could relay tapped commands to mobile devices or PCs via wireless technologies like Bluetooth.

The video above shows how the process works. A large armband array is connected to the bicep area to pick up waves proliferating through arm tissues after taps on the fingertips or elsewhere on the arm, up to the areas above the elbow.

The system, which has been under development for eight months, will not be available commercially for at leas two to seven years. Before this can happen, the sensors in Skinput need to become more accurate. At the moment, Skinput has a 95 percent accuracy level in detecting tapped spots and even works when the body is in motion.

If/when this device becomes a commercial reality; it would encompass our perception of common gestures. For example, drumming your fingers nervously could actually be texting. A slap to the forehead could launch a Web browser. Skinput could turn the whole body into a giant pulsating, jerking, dancing interface. This is going to be an amazing experience.

Watch the video at http://helablog.com/?p=2337

Aron Bryant, www.helablog.com. A nefarious Look at Today's Hottest Trends and Technologies