# Touch-Sensitive Skin Projections The Digitally Projected Skin Buttons Expand the Watch's Interface By Alyson Wyers | Published 2014-10-30 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skin-buttons References: [techcrunch](http://techcrunch.com/2014/10/20/skin-buttons-are-working-buttons-projected-onto-the-skin/?ncid=rss) & [figlab](http://www.figlab.com/projects/skinbuttons/skinbuttons.pdf) The Skin Buttons project by [Carnegie Mellon's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reskin) Future Interfaces Group is taking digital projections to a new level. Working buttons are projected onto skin. This is done by using small lasers to create small, bright red icons from the bottom of a wrist watch. The touch-sensitive buttons can be designed in any shape as well and therefore display a variety of information. Described as "cheap, small, low-power and clickable fixed-icon laser projections," Skin Buttons were developed by Xiang 'Anthony' Chen, Chris Harrison, Scott E. Hudson, Gierad Laput and Robert Xiao of the university's Human-Computer Interaction Institute. As John Biggs of [TechCrunch](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rocket-launches) explains, "by expanding a watch interface off of the physical object you get a bigger palette on which to create." This also allows users to interact with the interface without making the screen larger. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.0/10 - Popularity: 18% | Activity: 34% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Digitally Projected Interfaces:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Expanding interfaces beyond physical objects allows for more creativity and functionality. - **Touch-sensitive Button Technology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integration of touch-sensitive buttons directly onto skin opens up new possibilities for interactive experiences. - **Projection-based Wearable Technology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Utilizing projection technology on wearables can enhance user interfaces and provide versatile information display. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Consumer Electronics:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporating projection-based interfaces into consumer electronics can enhance user experience and create new market segments. - **Wearable Technology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Touch-sensitive skin projections can revolutionize the way wearable devices interact with users. - **Human-computer Interaction:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Advancements in touch-sensitive button technology can drive innovation in human-computer interaction and user interface design. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Fingertip Haptic Patches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/voxelite.md) - [Intuitive Gesture-Control Mouses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tactigon-skin-wearable-mouse.md) - [Human-Computer Interaction Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tech-at-meta.md) - [Wearable Input Device](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/picoring.md) - [Pressure-Sensitive Mouse Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/just-another-mouse.md) - [Color-Shifting Smart Press-Ons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ipolish.md) - [Wearable Tech Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meta-smart-wristband.md) - [Robot Skin Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reskin.md) - [Tactile Smart Home Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/from-design-concept.md)