TLC technology allows messages from the body to be perceived

The social media platform Facebook is working on a new technology called “Transcutaneous Language Communication” (TLC) that will allow your body to perceive messages. Visually, the device is reminiscent of plaster. The device is worn around the arm and uses tactile sensors to transmit vibrations in specific patterns. This approach is intended to help users who don't have a hand free to use their smartphone.

Designed for advertising

“Such technology would be an even more drastic intervention in our lives. I personally turn off all push notifications on social media apps. But this requires discipline. “I see people every day who, triggered by vibrations or noises, immediately reach for their cell phones,”

says Olaf Kopp, co-founder and CBDO of the Aufgesang agency , in an interview with pressetext. It is a type of addiction that leads to changes in many people's social lives and has an impact on attention and focus.

“I ask myself two questions: Which message has meaning and which doesn't? And: Will this functionality also be used later for advertising?”

puts Kopp in the room. Such an invention would be a quantum leap for advertising, as it would be possible to use sensors to influence feelings and create needs. Because needs are the basis for consumption. Kopp:

“I am conflicted. In my role as a marketer, I find this exciting. As a human being and a social being, I see such innovations having an even more negative impact on coexistence,”

sums up the expert.

Short training required

With TLC, users feel slight vibrations that are encoded in phonemes. This is a unit of spoken language that is applicable to all languages. According to Facebook researchers, four different phonemes can be learned in just three minutes. Study participants were able to recognize 100 words after an hour of training.

“Our experiment shows that inexperienced users can quickly learn tactile coding to generate new words,”

says the study.

“Structured sentences for everyday communication can be formed after just a three-minute learning unit,”

is evident from the description. The device is equipped with two displays, each of which has eight touch sensors integrated. These are surrounded by a housing made using 3D printing and embedded in foam. The vibrations are transmitted in the form of 250 Hz waves. These can be felt on the arm for 144 milliseconds.


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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )