Smartwatches such as Apple Watch and Android watches are becoming popular now. But they have one major drawback. i-e They provide very little space for navigation. It is bit difficult to navigate through apps on a relatively tiny screen, i-e around 2 inch screen. And, it is not feasible to increase the screen size as it will make the smartwatches terribly unfashionable.
A team at the Future Interfaces Group, a research lab within Carnegie Mellon University has found a novel solution to this problem, by making the skin on your arm and hand act like a touchscreen for your smartwatch .
Their device named as “SkinTrack” can handle app navigation, selection, scrolling, and confirmation.
SkinTrack enables continuous touch tracking on the skin. It consists of a ring, which emits a continuous high frequency AC signal, and a sensing wristband with multiple electrodes.
SkinTrack measures phase differences to compute a 2D finger touch coordinate.
It even works when the skin is covered with clothing.
This approach is compact, non-invasive, low-cost and low-powered. The researchers envision the technology being integrated into future smartwatches, supporting rich touch interactions beyond the confines of the small touchscreen.
And, you’re no longer just limited to the touchscreen of your watch to control apps. SkinTrack allows you to drag apps off the watch and on to your arm.
