A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

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?

Comments

87 responses to “Who needs an iTouch when your body can do the same job?”

  1. anthony black Avatar

    I cant help but wonder if it would tire you out because its running on your energy? This is kind of scary haha. I dont think I’d ever do it.

  2. anthony black Avatar

    I cant help but wonder if it would tire you out because its running on your energy? This is kind of scary haha. I dont think I’d ever do it.

  3. anthony black Avatar

    I cant help but wonder if it would tire you out because its running on your energy? This is kind of scary haha. I dont think I’d ever do it.

  4. Dean Avatar

    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!

  5. Dean Avatar

    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!

  6. Dean Avatar

    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!

  7. Dean Avatar

    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

  8. Dean Avatar

    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

  9. Dean Avatar

    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

  10. MissCherry Avatar
    MissCherry

    fuck that….it’s the governments way of keeping better tabs on people.

  11. MissCherry Avatar
    MissCherry

    fuck that….it’s the governments way of keeping better tabs on people.

  12. MissCherry Avatar
    MissCherry

    fuck that….it’s the governments way of keeping better tabs on people.

  13. Sick Avatar
    Sick

    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

  14. Sick Avatar
    Sick

    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

  15. Sick Avatar
    Sick

    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

  16. Eric Avatar

    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.

  17. Eric Avatar

    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.

  18. Eric Avatar

    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.

  19. Sleazy Avatar

    Dean… maybe have it put on your thigh? This could provide a better view 😛

  20. Sleazy Avatar

    Dean… maybe have it put on your thigh? This could provide a better view 😛

  21. Sleazy Avatar

    Dean… maybe have it put on your thigh? This could provide a better view 😛

  22. Dean Avatar

    haha you do justice to your name Sleazy 😛

  23. Dean Avatar

    haha you do justice to your name Sleazy 😛

  24. Dean Avatar

    haha you do justice to your name Sleazy 😛

  25. Dean Avatar

    haha you do your name justice Sleazy 😛

  26. Dean Avatar

    haha you do your name justice Sleazy 😛

  27. Dean Avatar

    haha you do your name justice Sleazy 😛

  28. cardboardfrog Avatar
    cardboardfrog

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

  29. cardboardfrog Avatar
    cardboardfrog

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

  30. cardboardfrog Avatar
    cardboardfrog

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

  31. Trippin Avatar
    Trippin

    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.

  32. Trippin Avatar
    Trippin

    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.

  33. Trippin Avatar
    Trippin

    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.

  34. CalmLlama Avatar
    CalmLlama

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

  35. CalmLlama Avatar
    CalmLlama

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

  36. CalmLlama Avatar
    CalmLlama

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

  37. M2 Avatar
    M2

    “Who needs an iTouch…”
    *twitch*
    It’s iPod Touch. Sorry but that bothers me.

  38. M2 Avatar
    M2

    “Who needs an iTouch…”
    *twitch*
    It’s iPod Touch. Sorry but that bothers me.

  39. M2 Avatar
    M2

    “Who needs an iTouch…”
    *twitch*
    It’s iPod Touch. Sorry but that bothers me.

  40. Rob Avatar

    @M2: I actually had iPad in my head, but for some reason I typed out iTouch.

  41. Rob Avatar

    @M2: I actually had iPad in my head, but for some reason I typed out iTouch.

  42. Rob Avatar

    @M2: I actually had iPad in my head, but for some reason I typed out iTouch.

  43. Timothy Avatar

    There was a BME article on this, posted by Shannon, from a few years ago I think, but I cannot find it.

  44. Timothy Avatar

    There was a BME article on this, posted by Shannon, from a few years ago I think, but I cannot find it.

  45. Timothy Avatar

    There was a BME article on this, posted by Shannon, from a few years ago I think, but I cannot find it.

  46. Rob Avatar

    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.

  47. Rob Avatar

    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.

  48. Rob Avatar

    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.

  49. Anya Avatar
    Anya

    Wrist laser, that’s awesome.

  50. Anya Avatar
    Anya

    Wrist laser, that’s awesome.

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