Sony has filed a patent application for a "smart wig" (SmartWig), as technology companies prepare for a major "battle" in the field of wearable electronic devices.
As stated in the application, the device in question will cover "at least a portion" of the user's head and will include at least one sensor for collecting data, a data processing unit that will be connected to it, and a communication interface that will be connected to the processing unit to communicate with other devices.
According to Sony, the above elements are placed in the wig and are covered by it, so that they are not visible during use. Also, the wig can be made of artificial or real (human or not) hair, and will include GPS.
The wig can be worn “in addition” to the user’s hair and can collect various data, such as their blood pressure. The company seems to have high expectations for the SmartWig, as it is considered to be both a “smart” technological device and a fashion accessory at the same time.
As reported by Bloomberg, Saori Takahashi, a spokesperson for the company, confirmed the application. However, a final decision has not yet been made on whether the device will be released commercially or not, as the research process is ongoing. At present, there are three prototypes: the Presentation Wig (for presentations), the Navigation Wig (guides the user via GPS and vibrations) and the Sensing Wig, which collects information about the user's body (temperature, blood pressure, etc.).
Potential uses for the wig include use by visually impaired people to navigate the streets, with the potential additional use of ultrasound technology to detect objects in the surrounding environment. It is also believed that it could see widespread use in gaming or virtual reality applications.
Source: naftemporiki.gr
