Innovative ‘Body Internet’ Invention Could Revolutionize Wearable Tech Devices
Researchers at Purdue University have created what they call “body internet,” a groundbreaking technology that has the potential to transform how we interact with technology. The technology, housed in small computer chips, uses the human body as a conductor to transport information simply by touch. This creates a bubble around the body that carries information to any device you touch. For example, the inventor, Shreyas Sen, was able to stream music from his phone to a speaker by simply touching a wire.
Sen’s invention, WI-R, is a game-changer in the world of wearable tech. Traditional Bluetooth technology requires a significant amount of power and battery life to operate, but WI-R is up to 100 times more energy-efficient. This means that wearables could become almost charging-free for low-speed devices and require significantly less frequent charging for high-speed devices.
But the potential of this technology goes beyond just improving battery life. It has the capability to connect all devices, from smartwatches to headphones, and could even enable people to unlock doors, make payments, or exchange data files with a simple touch or handshake.
Sen’s focus now is on creating devices that can utilize this innovative technology. He anticipates that we may see WI-R integrated into devices as early as 2025-2026, and it has the potential to augment or replace the 5 billion Bluetooth devices sold each year.
While the technology is currently being used in devices outside of the body, there is the possibility of it being integrated into a chip inside the brain in the future.
The “body internet” invention has the potential to revolutionize the wearable tech industry, making devices more energy-efficient and seamlessly interconnected, ultimately impacting the lives of billions of people around the world.