The goose bump sensor being tested by a lucky volunteer (via KAIST)
There is a new sensor being developed by a South Korean firm which can actually detect goose bumps of varying sizes and the length of time in which the goose bumps persist.
KAIST in Daejeon, South Korea is utilizing a clear, conductive polymer to measure variances in electrical capacity due to the obstruction of its surface from goose bumps. The patch is seen in the photo above, stuck to the skin of a willing participant who picks up ice cubes to induce goose bumps.
The polymer square has sides 2cm long and easily sticks to the skin like a sticker. The applications of this sensor are expected to be more exciting for marketers, gamers, and paranormal investigators.
It is thought that this goose bump detector can read our emotional states by sensing whether we are scared, excited, or in awe – of course, we could just need a sweater. The company is seeking to do further research into the correlations between the size and duration of goose bumps, and certain emotional responses. This gives marketers more fodder with which to accurately predict emotions with rampant sensationalism. After all, this is what market research is all about. Within gaming, it is speculated that the patch could detect variances in the player’s mood and shift the gaming experience to keep the player engaged, or has a straight flush.
I am personally more interested in the paranormal applications of this device. Oh yeah, call me strange but I love watching a decent paranormal investigation, which is hard to come by these days. Most of the time, all you have is the word of the investigator that they felt a chill in their spine and have goose bumps. Now, they can be scientifically monitored to prove it. Of course, there could be many reasons for goose bumps and perhaps no goose bump variances will be found in different emotional states. But I am sure this won't stop this technology from being haphazardly applied.
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