Who needs an iTouch when your body can do the same job?

I think it’s safe to say the following story can be filed under the “That’s so freaking cool” category.

It seems a design firm has started to make headway into what can best be described as interactive tattoos.  The theory behind the tech is that the electronics are printed onto a person’s skin (in the form of a tattoo design) and the body’s energy fuels the devices so that you can essentially turn your body into an interactive computer.  No need for a cell phone when you can tap your arm and it will make the phone call for you.

frog-dattoos1

The DNA Tattoo, or Dattoo, could include printable input/output tools such as a camera, microphone, or laser-loudspeaker – it would be up to the user, as would the Dattoo’s aesthetics. Most intriguingly, it would capture its wearer’s DNA, to ensure an intimate user/machine relationship.  This meant that the body itself would need to become the interface, and would supply the required energy. Because Dattoos would largely replace three-dimensional tools such as smart phones or laptops, the environment would be spared the costs of producing, transporting and disposing of those items.

Despite evoking creepy Matrix-like images of permanent implants, Dattoos would actually be temporary and minimally-invasive. They could even be applied to clothing or other objects, instead of the skin. At the end of the day, they would simply be washed off. The next day, depending on what the user planned to do, they could order up and apply a new one.

The long term goal of the project is to be able to incorporate LED screens into the designs so that your body will completely replace your cell phone and laptop.

I have a bit of mixed feelings on this one.  While on one hand this looks really cool in theory, in practice, I’d be a little scared to be linked to a computer through my DNA when SkyNet goes live and judgement day hits.

What about you?  Would you be willing to use a stick-on tattoo design computer if it meant you could replace all your portable technology?

87 thoughts on “Who needs an iTouch when your body can do the same job?

  1. as scared as it may make some people, theres no denying that this kind of thing WILL happen regardless of how we look at things really….the technology is getting so far advanced now.

    I for one think its freaking cool…AND it would help me so bloody much…im constantly getting holes in my jeans from edges of phones, keys or wallets etc…and If I could have something like a Dattoo which could take care of all of that then yea im all for it!

  2. as scared as it may make some people, theres no denying that this kind of thing WILL happen regardless of how we look at things really….the technology is getting so far advanced now.

    I for one think its freaking cool…AND it would help me so bloody much…im constantly getting holes in my jeans from edges of phones, keys or wallets etc…and If I could have something like a Dattoo which could take care of all of that then yea im all for it!

  3. as scared as it may make some people, theres no denying that this kind of thing WILL happen regardless of how we look at things really….the technology is getting so far advanced now.

    I for one think its freaking cool…AND it would help me so bloody much…im constantly getting holes in my jeans from edges of phones, keys or wallets etc…and If I could have something like a Dattoo which could take care of all of that then yea im all for it!

  4. sorry for the double post…forgot to mention though if it could do the same stuff as a phone/laptop, such as web surfing….wouldnt watching porn be a lil difficult if the Dattoo is on your arm? lol

  5. sorry for the double post…forgot to mention though if it could do the same stuff as a phone/laptop, such as web surfing….wouldnt watching porn be a lil difficult if the Dattoo is on your arm? lol

  6. sorry for the double post…forgot to mention though if it could do the same stuff as a phone/laptop, such as web surfing….wouldnt watching porn be a lil difficult if the Dattoo is on your arm? lol

  7. Been waiting for something like this for a long time, whatever I gotta do, whatever I got to sign. Make me up a full body suit put it on me. Then let me boot up my Carson Hill body suit app, oh wait it’s tuesday I should go with Paul booth instead. GIMME

  8. Been waiting for something like this for a long time, whatever I gotta do, whatever I got to sign. Make me up a full body suit put it on me. Then let me boot up my Carson Hill body suit app, oh wait it’s tuesday I should go with Paul booth instead. GIMME

  9. Been waiting for something like this for a long time, whatever I gotta do, whatever I got to sign. Make me up a full body suit put it on me. Then let me boot up my Carson Hill body suit app, oh wait it’s tuesday I should go with Paul booth instead. GIMME

  10. I’ve been hoping for something like this since I was a kid haha. I’d proudly be the first person to sport one of these every single day.

  11. I’ve been hoping for something like this since I was a kid haha. I’d proudly be the first person to sport one of these every single day.

  12. I’ve been hoping for something like this since I was a kid haha. I’d proudly be the first person to sport one of these every single day.

  13. i love how the arm the photoshop is on has tattoos photoshopped on, lazy much?

  14. i love how the arm the photoshop is on has tattoos photoshopped on, lazy much?

  15. i love how the arm the photoshop is on has tattoos photoshopped on, lazy much?

  16. The photoshopped tattoo’s are probably meant to make it look more stream lined instead of random electronic junk on the forearm, though it just looks kind of amusing.

    Anthony: Its not quite the same thing that your thinking of, so I don’t see any reason it would “tire you out”,

    Personally, I can see how it could be useful, but I question how practical it can be in its current format. Its quite far away from use currently, so plenty of time to increase its practicality.

  17. The photoshopped tattoo’s are probably meant to make it look more stream lined instead of random electronic junk on the forearm, though it just looks kind of amusing.

    Anthony: Its not quite the same thing that your thinking of, so I don’t see any reason it would “tire you out”,

    Personally, I can see how it could be useful, but I question how practical it can be in its current format. Its quite far away from use currently, so plenty of time to increase its practicality.

  18. The photoshopped tattoo’s are probably meant to make it look more stream lined instead of random electronic junk on the forearm, though it just looks kind of amusing.

    Anthony: Its not quite the same thing that your thinking of, so I don’t see any reason it would “tire you out”,

    Personally, I can see how it could be useful, but I question how practical it can be in its current format. Its quite far away from use currently, so plenty of time to increase its practicality.

  19. so… this story is like 2 or 3 years old. Is there anything new on it or is this just a re-post?

  20. so… this story is like 2 or 3 years old. Is there anything new on it or is this just a re-post?

  21. so… this story is like 2 or 3 years old. Is there anything new on it or is this just a re-post?

  22. I’ve searched as well Tim and nothing came up. But it wouldn’t surprise me as the article does mention the company was founded 5 years ago, but I believe the article contains new information regarding the progress they’ve made.

  23. I’ve searched as well Tim and nothing came up. But it wouldn’t surprise me as the article does mention the company was founded 5 years ago, but I believe the article contains new information regarding the progress they’ve made.

  24. I’ve searched as well Tim and nothing came up. But it wouldn’t surprise me as the article does mention the company was founded 5 years ago, but I believe the article contains new information regarding the progress they’ve made.

  25. Fuck yes!!! One step closer to actually becoming a robot. I’ll be the first in line for this thing

  26. Fuck yes!!! One step closer to actually becoming a robot. I’ll be the first in line for this thing

  27. Fuck yes!!! One step closer to actually becoming a robot. I’ll be the first in line for this thing

  28. @MissCherry Getting tattooed in the first place is a good way to help the government keep better tabs on you… oooooooooo didn’t think about that, didya.

  29. @MissCherry Getting tattooed in the first place is a good way to help the government keep better tabs on you… oooooooooo didn’t think about that, didya.

  30. @MissCherry Getting tattooed in the first place is a good way to help the government keep better tabs on you… oooooooooo didn’t think about that, didya.

  31. Oh I’ll be right at the head of the line when technology allows us to have cybernetic parts and the like.
    I’ve never had any of those paranoid fears about big brother spying on me with it or anything.

    all he’d see me doing is getting high and playing video games all day. haha..

  32. Oh I’ll be right at the head of the line when technology allows us to have cybernetic parts and the like.
    I’ve never had any of those paranoid fears about big brother spying on me with it or anything.

    all he’d see me doing is getting high and playing video games all day. haha..

  33. Oh I’ll be right at the head of the line when technology allows us to have cybernetic parts and the like.
    I’ve never had any of those paranoid fears about big brother spying on me with it or anything.

    all he’d see me doing is getting high and playing video games all day. haha..

  34. I think this is creepy, and a bad idea in so many many ways. I would NEVER want it. I’d like to stay fully human thank you very much.

  35. I think this is creepy, and a bad idea in so many many ways. I would NEVER want it. I’d like to stay fully human thank you very much.

  36. I think this is creepy, and a bad idea in so many many ways. I would NEVER want it. I’d like to stay fully human thank you very much.

  37. I get tired enough already all on my own. The last thing I need is some high tech gadget drawing on MY energy.

    Also, I think it’s very strange that they state that this would reduce waste and then go on to say that you have to throw out the dattoo at the end of the day and use a new one the next day, every day. I only go through 1 cell phone every 4 years, but I would go through 1461 dattoos. Waste much?

  38. I get tired enough already all on my own. The last thing I need is some high tech gadget drawing on MY energy.

    Also, I think it’s very strange that they state that this would reduce waste and then go on to say that you have to throw out the dattoo at the end of the day and use a new one the next day, every day. I only go through 1 cell phone every 4 years, but I would go through 1461 dattoos. Waste much?

  39. I get tired enough already all on my own. The last thing I need is some high tech gadget drawing on MY energy.

    Also, I think it’s very strange that they state that this would reduce waste and then go on to say that you have to throw out the dattoo at the end of the day and use a new one the next day, every day. I only go through 1 cell phone every 4 years, but I would go through 1461 dattoos. Waste much?

  40. I get tired enough already all on my own. The last thing I need is some high tech gadget drawing on MY energy.

    Also, I find it very odd that they say the dattoo would reduce waste, and then go on the say you would throw out your dattoo at the end of the day and use a new one the next day, every day. I only go through 1 cell phone every 4 years, but I would go through 1461 dattoos. Waste much?

  41. I get tired enough already all on my own. The last thing I need is some high tech gadget drawing on MY energy.

    Also, I find it very odd that they say the dattoo would reduce waste, and then go on the say you would throw out your dattoo at the end of the day and use a new one the next day, every day. I only go through 1 cell phone every 4 years, but I would go through 1461 dattoos. Waste much?

  42. I get tired enough already all on my own. The last thing I need is some high tech gadget drawing on MY energy.

    Also, I find it very odd that they say the dattoo would reduce waste, and then go on the say you would throw out your dattoo at the end of the day and use a new one the next day, every day. I only go through 1 cell phone every 4 years, but I would go through 1461 dattoos. Waste much?

  43. Keep in mind everyone that is posting : they are *not* talking about implanting a bunch of cybernetic doo-dads. Frankly, I’m not even sure why its called a tattoo because of what people are familiar with as a tattoo. What they are talking about is essentially an incredibly thin system applied over the body, its minimally invasive, and *washes off* one way or another. Its a hell of a lot more complex, naturally, but think of it more akin to a temporary tattoo you see kids running around with, or the spray on tattoo’s popular at festivals.

    Similarly its pretty hard to state that it running on your body’s energy is going to be an issue – its exactly like we have a reserve thats being taxed – your not going to feel more energetic for example if you were to receive full body laser hair removal/electrolysis, despite this likely reducing the overall drain on your body due to hair cells no longer drawing it.

    Chokehold: How.. Is it “not capable”? Like I said, its questionable on whether or not its practical, but they have a hell of a lot of time to prove and adapt such things (often first releases will be just proving that the technology can be done, and than will be picked up by many more companies to do many more fantastic things). However.. That statement doesn’t necessarily work, as it assumes that we could of done such a thing before if it was possible. The first computers were the size of warehouses, cellphones used to be practically the size of my forearm – now we can and do measure them in millimeters thick using touch screens that were previously relegated to science fiction. Something like this requires that we can reproduce such features on an incredibly small level.

  44. Keep in mind everyone that is posting : they are *not* talking about implanting a bunch of cybernetic doo-dads. Frankly, I’m not even sure why its called a tattoo because of what people are familiar with as a tattoo. What they are talking about is essentially an incredibly thin system applied over the body, its minimally invasive, and *washes off* one way or another. Its a hell of a lot more complex, naturally, but think of it more akin to a temporary tattoo you see kids running around with, or the spray on tattoo’s popular at festivals.

    Similarly its pretty hard to state that it running on your body’s energy is going to be an issue – its exactly like we have a reserve thats being taxed – your not going to feel more energetic for example if you were to receive full body laser hair removal/electrolysis, despite this likely reducing the overall drain on your body due to hair cells no longer drawing it.

    Chokehold: How.. Is it “not capable”? Like I said, its questionable on whether or not its practical, but they have a hell of a lot of time to prove and adapt such things (often first releases will be just proving that the technology can be done, and than will be picked up by many more companies to do many more fantastic things). However.. That statement doesn’t necessarily work, as it assumes that we could of done such a thing before if it was possible. The first computers were the size of warehouses, cellphones used to be practically the size of my forearm – now we can and do measure them in millimeters thick using touch screens that were previously relegated to science fiction. Something like this requires that we can reproduce such features on an incredibly small level.

  45. Keep in mind everyone that is posting : they are *not* talking about implanting a bunch of cybernetic doo-dads. Frankly, I’m not even sure why its called a tattoo because of what people are familiar with as a tattoo. What they are talking about is essentially an incredibly thin system applied over the body, its minimally invasive, and *washes off* one way or another. Its a hell of a lot more complex, naturally, but think of it more akin to a temporary tattoo you see kids running around with, or the spray on tattoo’s popular at festivals.

    Similarly its pretty hard to state that it running on your body’s energy is going to be an issue – its exactly like we have a reserve thats being taxed – your not going to feel more energetic for example if you were to receive full body laser hair removal/electrolysis, despite this likely reducing the overall drain on your body due to hair cells no longer drawing it.

    Chokehold: How.. Is it “not capable”? Like I said, its questionable on whether or not its practical, but they have a hell of a lot of time to prove and adapt such things (often first releases will be just proving that the technology can be done, and than will be picked up by many more companies to do many more fantastic things). However.. That statement doesn’t necessarily work, as it assumes that we could of done such a thing before if it was possible. The first computers were the size of warehouses, cellphones used to be practically the size of my forearm – now we can and do measure them in millimeters thick using touch screens that were previously relegated to science fiction. Something like this requires that we can reproduce such features on an incredibly small level.

  46. You know, I feel that one day this could be used as a means of control. Technology is a scary thing sometimes…

  47. You know, I feel that one day this could be used as a means of control. Technology is a scary thing sometimes…

  48. You know, I feel that one day this could be used as a means of control. Technology is a scary thing sometimes…

  49. Didn’t Phillips develop a similar concept, an LED tattoo, supposed to be activated by touch?
    Not sure if that even possible but it seems far more interesting for me.

  50. Didn’t Phillips develop a similar concept, an LED tattoo, supposed to be activated by touch?
    Not sure if that even possible but it seems far more interesting for me.

  51. Didn’t Phillips develop a similar concept, an LED tattoo, supposed to be activated by touch?
    Not sure if that even possible but it seems far more interesting for me.

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