Wearable Technology That Feels Like Skin

MC10 is working on attachable computers that look like small rectangular stickers and that can be placed on various parts of the body. Credit John A. Rogers/The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

We all know for certain that technology is taking over.  But, believe it or not, technology is still evolving and changing in ways that in the past seemed impossible. 

The New York Times, for example, shared an article where they affirm that the next era of computing will be wearable. The only thing that’s stopping this next step is simply deciding where in the body these new technologies will live. 

Company giants Apple and Samsung are saying they should be placed on the wrist, while Google wants them on our face. 

This emerging trend of wearable computers will adhere to the skin like temporary tattoos, or attach to the body like an old-fashioned Band-Aid. They are bendable and incredibly thin. Of course, you can also customize them to your own personality by giving them unique designs or making them stand out like bold tattoos. You can also blend them in to the color of your skin. 

But what would be their purpose? What are they good for?

For example, if you go out for a run, you slap one of these gadgets on and then afterwards, you can see a micro-level reading of your exercise on your phone.

Maybe you want to figure out which deodorant would be best for you. This would be done with a sticker that tracks your sweat level, then emails you a few brand recommendations. Or if you want to monitor your baby’s breathing, you would stick a little sensor on the baby’s chest that will alert you to any problems.

Talk about futuristic!