Artificial Skin Can Now Feel Ticklish And Pinches

Skin-On interface is a technology developed by researchers from Bristol and Paris. This technology is doing more than just touch recognition – it is able to feel ticklish and even pinches. The membrane-like artificial skin by researchers at the University of Bristol in partnership with Telecomm ParisTech and Sorbonne University.

Multiple layers of silicone are used to copy the multiple layers that exist in human skin. This creates a more natural appearance and feels unlike a rigid casing and allows it to feel better.

Research supervisor Dr. Anne Rodaut said, “This is the first time we have the opportunity to add skin to our interactive devices. The idea is perhaps a bit surprising, but the skin is an interface we are highly familiar with so why not use it and its richness with the devices we use every day?”

Researchers used Skin-On technology to create a phone case, touchpad on laptops and a smartwatch. Through these products where the skin often make contacts directly with, researchers show how the technology receives and explains what is happening on their ‘skin’.

Lead author Marc Teyssier describes how this can improve messaging and communication in the virtual reality world, “One of the main use of smartphones is mediated communication, using text, voice, video, or a combination. We implemented a messaging application where users can express rich tactile emotions on artificial skin.

“The intensity of the touch controls the size of the emojis. A strong grip conveys anger while tickling the skin displays a laughing emoji and tapping creates a surprised emoji.”

And this isn’t where it ends, because researchers are looking forward to adding hair and other realistic features to skin to give it even more realistic look, functions, and simply creepy look.