12. Skin Electronics¶

Research¶

example

Skin electronics are ultrathin, flexible, and stretchable electronic devices that adhere directly to the human skin, like a patch or even an “electronic tattoo.” The idea is that they function almost like a second skin, without rigid wires or hard components

References & Inspiration¶

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NeoTouch is a speculative design project by Christine Wurth that imagines a future brain-computer-interface (BCI) enabling people to feel touch at a distance. The concept explores how digital communication might evolve when touch becomes part of virtual interaction.

The project began with experiments using mechanical and electronic devices to transmit haptic signals between two people. These tests revealed how limited current haptic tech is compared to real human touch, leading Wurth to use Speculative Design to imagine a more advanced future.

NeoTouch is envisioned as a device worn behind the ear, connected wirelessly to nano-electronics in the brain. Instead of stimulating the skin, it directly activates the somatosensory and motor cortex, creating realistic sensations of touching and being touched. Users control interactions through their phones, merging digital and physical experience in a profound way.

The project raises critical questions about privacy, consent, intimacy, and physical safety when digital interactions map directly onto the body. Wurth explored these issues through speculative storytelling, including fictional articles and short films that imagine life 10 years after NeoTouch’s release. These stories highlight potential risks such as social pressure to stay “touch-available,” haptic harassment, and even the possibility of the brain becoming hackable.

Overall, NeoTouch uses design fiction to question how future haptic technologies could reshape relationships, social norms, and the boundaries between body and technology.

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Wisp is a collection of erotic wearable devices created by Royal College of Art graduate Wan Tseng, offering a subtle, sensation-focused alternative to traditional sex toys. Instead of emphasizing intensity or orgasm, the devices explore gentle tactile experiences.

The collection includes:

Touch: small circular silicone pads that adhere to the skin and use mini motors to create sensations like light strokes or firmer touches.

Whisper: a device that changes temperature and blows air to mimic the feeling of a lover’s breath.

Air (necklace): a necklace equipped with an air-blower, a speaker, and a fragrance diffuser; it can also play music via Bluetooth.

Pulse (bracelet): a bracelet that monitors the user’s arousal levels and can send discreet messages to a partner.

Tseng developed Wisp after interviewing women with diverse sexual preferences, aiming to create intimate experiences that are more personal, aesthetic, and centered on sensory exploration. She describes the collection as a communication tool with oneself rather than a conventional sex toy.

The project aligns with a broader shift in the sex-toy industry, where products are becoming more sophisticated, artistic, and user-focused.

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Tools¶

Arduino IDE

Process and workflow¶

FabLab Report – Skin Electronics Experiments¶

This project began as an exploration of skin electronics through direct experimentation on my own body, using simple interactive circuits to understand how electronic components behave when attached to the skin.

Initial Experiment: RFID and LED on Skin¶

The first phase involved working with an RFID system. I built a basic circuit where an LED would turn on when the RFID was activated. After testing the circuit on a breadboard, I attached the components directly to my skin to observe how the system performed in contact with the body.

This allowed me to explore: - Conductivity on the skin
- Adhesion of components
- Responsiveness in an embodied context

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Code Example¶

#include <SPI.h>
#include <MFRC522.h>

#define SS_PIN 10
#define RST_PIN 9
#define LED_PIN 7

MFRC522 mfrc522(SS_PIN, RST_PIN);

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  SPI.begin();
  mfrc522.PCD_Init();

  pinMode(LED_PIN, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(LED_PIN, LOW);

  Serial.println("Bring an RFID tag close...");
}

void loop() {
  // Check for new card
  if ( ! mfrc522.PICC_IsNewCardPresent()) {
    return;
  }

  // Read card
  if ( ! mfrc522.PICC_ReadCardSerial()) {
    return;
  }

  Serial.print("UID detected: ");
  for (byte i = 0; i < mfrc522.uid.size; i++) {
    Serial.print(mfrc522.uid.uidByte[i], HEX);
    Serial.print(" ");
  }
  Serial.println();

  // Turn LED ON
  digitalWrite(LED_PIN, HIGH);
  delay(2000); // keep LED on for 2 seconds
  digitalWrite(LED_PIN, LOW);

  mfrc522.PICC_HaltA();
}

Second Experiment: E-Textiles and Vibrating Motor¶

I then moved on to experimenting with electronic textiles and a vibrating motor. Although I successfully assembled the circuit, I was unable to effectively attach it to my skin.

This limitation led me to reconsider the approach and shift toward a different sensing method.

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Code Example¶

#define MIC_PIN A0
#define MOTOR_PIN 9

int soundValue = 0;

void setup() {
  pinMode(MOTOR_PIN, OUTPUT);
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
  soundValue = analogRead(MIC_PIN);

  Serial.println(soundValue);

  // Mapear sonido (0–1023) a PWM (0–255)
  int motorIntensity = map(soundValue, 300, 700, 0, 255);

  // Limitar valores
  motorIntensity = constrain(motorIntensity, 0, 255);

  analogWrite(MOTOR_PIN, motorIntensity);

  delay(20);
}

Third Experiment: Microphone-Based Interaction¶

I developed a new circuit using a microphone as an input sensor.

First, I tested it on a breadboard: - Microphone input → LED output
- LED intensity responded to sound levels

After confirming its functionality, I expanded the system: - Added vibrating motors
- Incorporated multiple LEDs
- Tested variations in sound intensity

I used my voice—speaking, singing, and shouting—directly into the microphone to test how different sound levels affected the system.

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Signal Mapping and Calibration¶

To refine the interaction, I implemented a mapping function to translate sound signals into vibration intensity.

Low sound → low vibration
High sound → strong vibration

This calibration allowed the motors to respond dynamically to tone and volume, creating a tactile interpretation of sound.

Final Prototype: Skin-Attached Vibrotactile System¶

After achieving stable results, I assembled the final circuit and attached it directly to my hand using conductive copper tape.

This enabled: - Direct contact with the skin
- Real-time tactile feedback
- A sensory translation from sound to vibration

Reflection (Critical Note)¶

While the experiments were technically successful, several limitations emerged:

Skin attachment remains unstable and requires improved materials
The system operates within a simple input–output logic
The interaction is reactive rather than relational

There is an opportunity to further explore: - More complex bodily interactions
- Alternative attachment methods
- Expanded sensory translation beyond sound

Fabrication files¶

File: xxx ↩
File: xxx ↩