Katia Vega is a Beauty Tech Designer and is currently a PhD candidate in Computer Science at the Department of Informatics from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) under the supervision ofProf. Hugo Fuks. She describes beauty technology as an emergent field in wearable computer using software in innovative ways. She has envisioned, designed and created several devices or interactive systems which have the ability to transform they way in which we interface with our environment.
Blinklifier can be seen as a development from the intrusive glasses and electromyography. This revolutionary piece of wearable computer amplifies human blinking. It follows the natural eye muscles’ contractions, extending that motion into a visible light array that changes pattern depending on the blinking gesture. Technically speaking, Vega has used several components. Fake eyelashes have been metalized to capture the blinking motion and a conductive material was used as eyeliner to connect the eyelashes with the wearable device. Blinklifier uses LEDs to create the blinking patterns in the headpiece and is prototyped using an Arduino microcontroller.
Beauty Technology Nails are false plastic or acrylic nails with embedded RFID tags, small magnets or conductive polish which enable the wearer to interact with their own wearables and other objects in the environment. The scope for this device system is astounding. Anything from DJing to opening your car door to giving someone a virtual high-5!
Be sure to visit her site for more information on other projects that she’s done.
