Control gadgets with your makeup

LONDON: Scientists have created metal eyeshadow and false eyelashes that allow the wearer to control gadgets with the blink of an eye. The cosmetics range that lets users control machines has been developed by Brazilian researchers. Katia Vega, a beauty technology designer at the Pontifical Catholic University in Rio de Janeiro, developed a prototype whereby people wearing the electronic makeup can operate lights and control aerial drones using contractions of their eye muscles.

"In incorporating technology into traditional make-up, I thought I could empower people without making them look like a cyborg," she said.

After applying the makeup, users close their eyes in long blinks or winks to create a circuit that allows them to operate various devices, 'The Times' reported. Vega said that she was developing variations of the technology to improve the lives of disabled people by using facial expressions to activate household electronics, hospital beds and airconditioning. The inventions were demonstrated at an Interactive Tabletops and Surfaces conference at the University of St Andrews.

The ultimate purpose of developing the electronic makeup is to eventually integrate the technology with smartphones and other wearable computers, such as Google Glass. For instance, imagine being able to take a picture with your smartphone by winking. The technology is yet another step toward blurring the line between our bodies and our electronic devices.