Skinput: Is Your Skin The Touchscreen of the Future?

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It seems anything can be turned into a touchscreen, even your skin. Microsoft’s Redmond research lab and researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a system called Skinput that projects a working touchscreen on to your skin. The prototype uses a microchip sized pico projector to display the touchscreen image and an acoustic detector that analyzes ultralow-frequency to determine where your finger is tapping.

Both the microchip sized pico projector and acoustic detector are embedded in an armband (which looks somewhat adjustable) that projects an interactive image on to your forearm or hand. You can then access the menu and control icons by tapping on your skin. By combining a computer driven technology with a human surface, Skinput gives us a glimpse of the future of portable apps and on the go computing.

There are many interesting applications for this device and some challenges. I imagine that a touchscreen surface that is not completely flat, may produce some usage challenges. Trying to operate this device in less than quiet surroundings or in an environment where echo is a problem, may also be difficult. Since the acoustic detector is responsible for determining the direction of the sound (where your finger is tapping) by making frequency analysis, excess noise or echo may cause an inaccurate reading. Operating this device outdoors in a sunlit environment, may also not be as viable as indoor operation, since the image is light projected and increased light may make it harder for you to see the touchscreen. Besides these possible technical difficulties, Skinput also has some design issues. It is not exactly aesthetically pleasing to look at and you might not exactly make it through airport security wearing this.

Even with all these possible complications, if Microsoft Redmond Research and Carnegie Mellon University are willing to work any and all kinks, there is some definite potential. If Microsoft were to expand this technology into the home entertainment and gaming arena, I can see some real interesting possibilities for a touch screen surface on your skin.

Also with your skin being elastic, it may be a little more able to withstand the poking and prodding of your finger, then your average LCD touchscreen. If the electronics consumer version is developed correctly, your new touchscreen surface will last as long as you do.