Scientists Create Wireless, Battery-Free Computer Input Device

When you think of some sort of device or technology, you usually imagine something either battery-operated or connected to a power outlet. Well, now there is something new coming and it’s pretty insane – a wireless, battery-free computer input device.

Called Tip Tap, the device doesn’t need any kind of power source because it uses radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to sense when chips touch. By splitting the antenna of an RFID tag into two separate strips (typically, one would go on the thumb and the other would go on the index finger) and equipping each one with three chips to enable two-dimensions of fingertip input, an electrical signal is produced when you bring one chip in contact with another. So, basically, by touching the fingers together, you bring one chip in contact with another and an electrical signal is produced. Different signals are produced every time different chips are in contact.

You may be thinking, where could this device be used? Well, it could be useful in many different areas, such as among factory workers, people exercising in the gym, and one area in particular – surgery. Nowadays, during surgeries, an assistant is navigating the computer and communicating with the surgeon. Without doubt, this is quite time-consuming. However, a surgeon cannot navigate themselves, as this would require constant change of gloves and sterilization. Tip Tap could be be inserted into surgical gloves, so the surgeon could navigate the computer themselves, without having to touch anything. Alternatively, the device can also be attached directly on the skin as a temporary tattoo.

The device was created by a team of computer scientists and The University of Waterloo and will hopefully be available on the market soon!