Leather, one of the oldest materials developed by humans, can also be seen as an interface. Senskin is a research project that takes two different sensory approaches to leather and, through two technologic processes, gives the material new perspectives:
CNC milling–removes the top grain layer of the leather piece and reveals part of its inner fibrous structure creating a variation in textures and patterns.
Capacitive sensing–by including a conductive paint in the finishing process, the material becomes a capacitive sensor able to measure touch. The material “comes back to life” by being able to, once again, receive and process stimuli. A bracelet serves as a prototype that, once connected to the computer via Bluetooth, has the possibility to control presentations through its two sensors. Each one programmed to function as the right-arrow or left-arrow key on a keyboard.
