Researchers at the MIT Media Lab are developing a wearable device that turns the user's thumbnail into a wireless track pad, enabling them to control nearby devices. Despite its size, NailO is self-contained with a microcontroller, BlueTooth radio chip, a capacitive-sensing chip and a battery. It was inspired by colourful stickers that people apply to their nails as a style accessory. The researchers project that the device could be personable and feel like an extension of the user’s body.
While you may have never wished you could access your smart phone or tablet while mixing salad as shown in the video, NailO does offer a subtle way to answer the phone or launch an app when the user’s hands are full – or when using a mobile device directly is not possible or appropriate.
The technology may be unusual at first glance but it promises to offer one of the most simple and intuitive ways to interact with devices when multitasking.