Artificial Skin Can Cover the Interface of Your Devices. Skin-On Systems Feel Very Realistic

The latest and extraordinary news about the invention of Sorbonne and Bristol scientists. They created the material which looked precisely like the human skin and decided that touchpad or smartphone cases should be made of it. Skin-On interfaces aimed for customers who appreciate the tactile feeling. Users can not just tap, swipe, and scroll on the skin pad; the system can call other reactions like tickling, tingling, stroking, and so on.

It’s not the genuine leather; it’s entirely duplicating human skin. Honestly, it looks pretty creepy, as well as touching it or holding it in your hands. Moreover, the French scientists noted that the system of the Skin-On covers could identify the way you touch it and convey emotions.

But don’t get dizzy, the artificial skin has the synthetic composition and is of three layers. The top layer is the silicone that mimics the texture of the real skin; the second one is a lattice of stretched copper wire, and another silicon layer on the bottom, making it a sandwich-like structure. Any pressure on the skin surface changes the electrical charge of the system - so the case reacts to touch.

The artificial skin is programmed to distinguish various gestures and reply with correct emotions. For example, pressing on the surface means anger or irritation, short tapping is a way of expressing that you need attention or you are anxious, and stroking is a sign of comfort.

Skin-On interface can be used for smartphones, watches, and as a touchpad on laptops. You can adjust the volume on your phone with a pinch.

In the future, the inventors of the Skin-On project plan to make the skin more anthropomorphic, adding hair and thermoregulation.