Metallic make-up wirelessly activates gadgets: lights LEDs and launches micro-drones

Eat your heart out Google Glass, the next innovation in micro-interactions between man and machine comes in the form of a metallic make-up capable of launching drones, lighting LEDs, or taking photos by simply blinking. Developed by Katia Vega, a computer scientist at the Pontifical Catholic University in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the “Blinkifier” accomplishes this goal through a low voltage circuit formed by the combination of metallized false eyelashes with conducting eye shadow; all it takes is a voluntary wink to close the circuit and activate a piece of electronics.

To demonstrate the technology, Vega lit LEDs in her hair and launched a drone [also from her hair]

Vega‘s “beauty technology” aims to create a completely hands-free standard for the way humans interact with wearable computers. “We use voluntary movements to amplify intentions – using our body as a new input device,” says Vega.

Controlled by winking not just blinking
But there’s no need to worry; Blinkifier won’t falsely activate the LEDs in your hair or send electronics on a misfiring rampage with every blink. The circuit only responds to exaggerated voluntary winks lasting longer than one second, so involuntary eye blinks won’t be prematurely setting off any party bells. Vega informs us that once the blinking is sensed via the conductive eye shadow, the gathered information can be sent to a circuit inside a headband or what not, to activate an infrared beam to accomplish whatever the beam’s programmed for.

Blinkifier is not a stand-alone device per say, but rather a means to an end. Vega does not intend to design her own line of wearable smart devices similar to the Google Glass; the technology is an offspring of her research into wearable technologies. Despite this, Vega is exploring commercial opportunities for the exploitation of the Blinkifier; in order to facilitate technological dissemination, a commercial application is required. Nevertheless, her primary focus remains fixated on furthering the interaction between man and machine.

Set it and forget it
Forgetting that it’s there is perhaps the primary convenience of wearable technology and beauty products (in some shape or form) are essentially part most morning routines. Consider the practicality of using an embedded an RFID sensor inside a fingernail to replace public transportation payment cards. The wireless nature of the RFID sensor will allow you to transfer funds directly to your account using a smartphone and completely mitigate the need to wait in queue for purchasing fares.

Lucy Dunne, a wearable technology designer at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, believes that beauty products have the same potential as our clothes as a vehicle for interacting with technology. Their wide adoption is an ideal vehicle for this type of technology.

Courtesy of NewScientist