Smartwatches are slowly becoming more popular wrist wearables but one big complaint about their funtionality is the small touchscreens. Carnegie Mellon University researchers have invented a way to extend the smart watch's user interface to turn the entire forearm into an accurate touchpad.
The new tech was invented by the university's Human-Computer Interaction Institute's Future Interfaces Group. Last year the group also invented 3D-printed hair.
Past "skin to screen" tech has included methods such as interactive textiles, flexible overlays, and camera/projector combinations, according to Phys. However, SkinTrack only requires a gadget with a high-frequency signal.
It is a custom ring with a group of electrodes built into a smartwatch band. The ring sends an electrical signal detected by the watch strap's electrodes, according to CNET. This tracks the ring's locations as the wearer moves.
The new device can track the user's finger even when it hovers a little above the arm, and detects when it is pressing down on the skin.
In addition, the smartwatch tech can pick up gestures and register taps. SkinTrack also works when the user's shirt sleeve is down in cold weather.
Yang Zhang is a doctoral student at Carnegie Mellon University. He said that a major benefit of SkinTrack is that it is unobtrusive. That is because people wear watches and rings every day. In addition, the device prevents big fingers from blocking the smartwatch's display screen.
SkinTrack is still a prototype. The research team must work out issues related to body motion and sweat, which can confuse the device's signal.
However, if the new device makes it to the retail market it could be a big innovation in the wearables industry.
In related news, the Garmin Vívomove is an activity tracker that looks like a basic analog watch. It is available in five case finishes and several straps.
The new watch has a price tag ranging from $150 to $300, plus $30 to $360 for extra straps. It is still much cheaper than fitness trackers such as the Fitbit Surge. Meanwhile, it is about the same price as Garmin's Vívosmart HR wristband.
Vívomove differs from Garmin's Vívoactive wearable with an Apple Watch-like design.