The case itself consists of an artificial skin-like membrane that looks just like the real thing. It is made up of three layers: a hypodermis layer, an electrode layer made of conductive threads and a textured outer layer. When combined and put on a smartphone, these layers allow the device to feel it when the user strokes, pinches or tickles the skin.
“Artificial skin has been widely studied in the field of robotics but with a focus on safety, sensing or cosmetic aims. This is the first research we are aware of that looks at exploiting realistic artificial skin as a new input method for augmenting devices,” said Marc Teyssier, lead author of the study that developed the case.
