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.
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?