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# Human Skin Touch Screens
The SkinTrack Allows Skin to Function as a Touch Screen

By Mishal Omar | Published 2016-05-06 | Tech
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skin-touch-screen
References: [popsci](http://www.popsci.com/watch-this-smartwatch-use-your-skin-as-touchpad)

Technology is one stop closer to turning human skin into a touch screen with the new SkinTrack system that can be used on smartwatches.

The skin touch screen system was created by researchers at [Carnegie Mellon](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reskin) and is intended to make navigating small devices such as smartwatches much easier. There are four pairs of electrodes embedded in the watchband and the user also wears a [ring which generates an electrical signal](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/suite-of-technological-tools) when the arm is touched. That signal is then able to track finger movements and as a result the person's arm or hand turn into a touch pad.

Although it may be difficult to use a touch pad on which you cannot see exactly what you are pressing, this system would be particularly useful for functions such as drawing and punching numbers -- something that can be difficult on small touch screen devices.

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 2.4/10
- Popularity: 34% | Activity: 30% | Freshness: 8%
- Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women
- Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X
- Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia

## Categories

[Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets)

## Key Themes

### What Makes This Trend Stand Out

- **Skintrack Technology:** SkinTrack system turns human skin into a touch screen, opening up innovative possibilities for interactive devices.
- **Wearable Electronics:** The use of SkinTrack on smartwatches signifies a trend towards more interactive and intuitive wearable devices.
- **Enhanced User Experience:** SkinTrack offers a new way for users to interact with small touch screen devices, improving usability and functionality.

### Sectors Adopting This

- **Consumer Electronics:** SkinTrack technology has the potential to revolutionize the consumer electronics industry by enabling touch functionality on various devices.
- **Healthcare:** The application of SkinTrack in healthcare devices could lead to more efficient and user-friendly interfaces for medical professionals and patients.
- **Gaming:** Integrating SkinTrack technology in gaming consoles or VR devices could create immersive and unique gaming experiences.

## Related on Trend Hunter

- [Human-Computer Interaction Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tech-at-meta.md)
- [Thermal-Enabled Hand Trackers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fingertrak.md)
- [Intuitive Gesture-Control Mouses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tactigon-skin-wearable-mouse.md)
- [Robot Skin Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reskin.md)
- [Wearable Skin Sensors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hapsense.md)
- [Fingertip Haptic Patches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/voxelite.md)
- [Wearable EMG Wristbands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meta-emg-wristband.md)
- [Electronic Skin Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skinsight.md)
- [Hand-Worn Athlete Smart Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/handworn-smart-display.md)