Samsung’s C-Lab is an incubator for projects developer by employees. First unveiled to the public in late 2015, we’ve seen C-Labs concepts including fitness trackers, hands-free voice tools for motorycle helmets, and an app that transcribes music when you hum it out loud.
This week Samsung is showing off a few new (and old) C-Lab projects at the IFA show in Berlin.
Prinker
One new project is the awkwardly named Prinker — a device that can “print on human skin.”
Basically it’s a wireless mobile printer that users non-toxic ink to print temporary tattoos that will last for up to 2 days… or until you wash them off with soap and water.
Prinker can pair with your smartphone to let you print designs from an online art gallery app.
Mopic
You can get a 3D viewing experience from a smartphone by slapping it into a Google Cardboard-style headset and strapping it to your face. But what if you don’t want to have to wear your phone?
Mopic is a device that connects to the phone like a case, giving it a glasses-free 3D viewing experience.
Samsung isn’t providing many details about how Mopic works yet, but this isn’t the first time we’ve seen a company try to deliver glasses-free 3D on a mobile device. Usually the experience is kind… underwhelming.
Sgnl, Entrim4D, and WELT
Samsung is also showing off a trio of projects we’ve seen before, including the Sgnl device that recently hit Kickstarter.
Sgnl is a watch band or wrist strap that turns your hand into a Bluetooth headset by conducting sound waves through your body. Hold your finger to your ear to take a call, and speak into the mic on the strap.
Entrim4D is a VR headset that also comes with a pair of headphones that send electrical signals to a nerve in your ear to affect your perception of balance and motion, potentially making VR videos and games feel more realistic (and less nausea-inducing).
WELT is a fitness tracker in a belt. In addition to tracking your step count, it can actually measure your waistline.
It’s not clear if or when all of these products will come to market. But with Sgnl already on Kickstarter, and with Samsung showing off a few devices for the third time (or more), it looks like some products such as the Entrim4D and WELT are alive and kicking… at least for now.
