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New Artificial Fingerprints Feel Texture, Hear Sound (sciencemag.org)

Posted by Soulskill on from the james-bond-tech dept.

sciencehabit writes: Fake fingerprints might sound like just another ploy to fool the feds. But the world's first artificial prints — reported today (abstract) — have even cooler applications. The electronic material, which mimics the swirling designs imprinted on every finger, can sense pressure, temperature, and even sound. Though the technology has yet to be tested outside the lab, researchers say it could be key to adding sensation to artificial limbs or even enhancing the senses we already have.

21 comments

  1. isn't there a movie about this? by turkeydance · · Score: 1

    how does it end?

  2. Batman Beyond suit by GameboyRMH · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The bat-suit in Batman Beyond / Batman of the Future had exactly this on the gloves. Batman would often press them on the outside of a window to hear what people inside were saying.

    --
    "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
    1. Re:Batman Beyond suit by denzacar · · Score: 1

      Came to see if anyone remembered that. You did not disappoint.

      On a side note - this could make every person into a Daredevil, with gloves for reading print in the dark.
      While coupled with air-moisture sensors this could mean that in the future no one would be caught in the rain again, with streets suddenly emptying of people just before it starts.

      On the other hand people would be able to tell how long ago their chair or seat was occupied by someone else's ass and maybe even how big that ass was according to the heat still trapped in the chair.
      Wonder how that would affect public transportation, cafes, restaurants, theaters...

      --
      Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens
  3. The future by alvinrod · · Score: 1

    It seems interesting to think that it won't be too terribly far into the future when those people who have lost some part of their body through accident or illness will have replacements that are vastly superior to what you would have naturally. Soon the people with the typical number of legs, fingers, eyes, etc. are going to be the handicapped ones.

  4. That's great news by U2xhc2hkb3QgU3Vja3M · · Score: 4, Funny

    Now add this to RealDolls so that their future A.I. can feel where and how they're being touched.

    1. Re:That's great news by rubycodez · · Score: 1

      human female already has ridges and buds in many good places, who needs your RealDoll(tm) ?

    2. Re:That's great news by umghhh · · Score: 1

      'need' is a big word but I think those that are afraid to be infected with stuff and those that are afraid of being divorced into poverty would have some use in this invention. I guess there some other groups of people that would seriously consider realdoll if there were one. Besides your statement shows little to none understanding to individuals that are not interested in female body (electric sheep comes to mind but there are other choices too I would imagine).

    3. Re:That's great news by rubycodez · · Score: 1

      Reasonable protection against infection has existed for over 2,000 years. Condoms are old, old tech.

      Of course we could include the gay fellers, same statement applies I just forgot RealDoll comes in the dude version too (and transgendered chick with a stick)

      Marriage is optional, don't have to buy a cow to get milk.

    4. Re:That's great news by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What, exactly, is the point you're trying to make?

      Since you haven't actually presented any argument for the position that realdolls (or similar) aren't (or won't be) needed, is the conclusion that you, in fact, agree with the parent poster?

      Or is this just another case of the tired old stance that since you - yourself - at this point in time do not need a realdoll, then nobody else will ever do so either, now or in the future?

      If so, that's ... indeed tired, self-centered and short-sighted.

    5. Re:That's great news by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't know... having being married I can see definite advantages to a real doll. For one thing a doll, unlike a wife, it doesn't make you envy the dead. Then again I guess if you stick with one night stands then I agree 100%.

    6. Re:That's great news by rubycodez · · Score: 1

      There are things that are generally true, even if a small percentage of cases are exceptions.

      Most people should not "need" a RealDoll(tm), there is something wrong with someone who does. Almost everyone who makes the effort can have a sexual partner. Talk to a psychiatrist, they'll straighten your pitiful world view out.

    7. Re:That's great news by rubycodez · · Score: 1

      If your wife is making you envy the dead something is wrong with your marriage. Get help.

      Two decades married here, yes to same woman

  5. They will be Perscription only by NotQuiteReal · · Score: 4, Funny

    When they outlaw artificial fingerprints, only criminals will have artificial fingerprints.

    You can take my fingerprints when you pry them from my cold dead hands.

    --
    This issue is a bit more complicated than you think.
  6. Not artificial fingerprints by friesofdoom · · Score: 1

    This is clearly artificial skin, just because it's corrugated does not make it an 'artificial fingerprint', whatever that might be (imho)...

    1. Re:Not artificial fingerprints by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is clearly artificial skin, just because it's corrugated does not make it an 'artificial fingerprint', whatever that might be (imho)...

      Came here to say that as well, the source article is talking about artificial skin which is modeled after a fingertip on a human.
      A fingerprint is just a pattern, nothing more. There are already plenty of artificial ones, for example pressing the tip of your finger into ink and then onto a surface leaves an artificial fingerprint (as opposed to a natural one, which would be composed of natural skin oils).

      And while it seems like a minor nitpick, it's actually fairly important as the artificial skin's functionality has far more to do with the layers under the surface membrane, and almost nothing to do with the whorl pattern itself.

  7. The far more likely outcome by s.petry · · Score: 1

    "Fuck off peons, you can't afford what we can and we can live forever!" *mwuhahahaha*

    Those who claim the class is half empty are pessimists, those who claim the class is half full are optimists, and those who claim the glass is half as large as it should be are realists. Then we have people that look at half a glass and claim it's overflowing and everyone has half a glass. We call those people delusional... at best.

    --

    -The wise argue that there are few absolutes, the fool argues that there are no probabilities.

    1. Re:The far more likely outcome by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How the fuck did you manage to spell "glass" with 'c' twice in a row, Mr Senior System Engineer/Architect?

    2. Re:The far more likely outcome by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Aren't those who "who claim the glass is half as large as it should be" the same as those who "claim the class is half empty"? Aren't pessimists just realists with an attitude?

  8. "talk to the hand" by just+another+AC · · Score: 1

    finally there is a legitimate use for the saying!

  9. Talk to the hand.... by miniskunk · · Score: 0

    Well, this certainly gives new meaning to the phrase "talk to the hand". ;)

  10. Sweet, we used to need drugs for that. by Shadow+of+Eternity · · Score: 1

    Next up tasting colors and smelling textures.

    --
    A bullet may have your name on it but splash damage is addressed "To whom it may concern."