Smart watches and other tiny gadgets at first glance seem easy to use, but their tiny touchscreens comfortable not always and not for all users. Engineers from the University of Saarland (Germany) has decided to make its contribution to the wearable electronics industry and has developed a unique elastic sensor, with which the user can perform several actions with their gadgets.
Sensor size its looks like an ordinary pea, only made of black rubber. Call it was decided Deform Wear, due to the fact that interaction with it is executed by deformation of its shape. Being connected to any device with the functionality of the sensor could replace the user with the touch screen. It can push like a button, slightly move your finger in a particular direction or flatten with two fingers at once. Each time a reaction to your action will be appropriate.
To date, prototypes of the sensor made in the form of rings, bracelets and pendants. But German engineers are confident that in the future this sensor may be glued, such as a finger, after which he will become immediate control of your wearable electronics. Inside the sensor is arranged as follows: in the middle there is the led and the base – four photodiodes which measure the level of light falling on their surface. Shifting the led, pressing it to the substrate or blocking the light from him with two fingers, the man changes the direction of light, thereby giving commands to the system.
A team of engineers has already tested his invention not only on a smart watch, but video games (including virtual reality), and to control smart TV. Below you can see how the device works in practice.
Elastic sensor will change the way of interaction with wearable electronics
Sergey Grey