Sony is seeking to patent a "SmartWig", which is a hairpiece that contains smartphone technology?
Bloomberg News reported "SmartWig" will allow its wearer to "communicate wirelessly with another device and include tactile feedback," according to Sony. The hairpiece would be double as GPS or check blood pressure. The patent also shows the "SmartWig" may include a camera.
In total, Sony has reportedly created three different proto-types for Sony's "SmartWig."
"The Presentation Wig that has a laser point and can change PowerPoint slides by pulling left and right on the device. The Navigation Wig uses a GPS and vibration to direct the user, while the Sensing Wig gathers information from inside the body such as temperature and blood pressure," Saori Takahashi, a Tokyo-based spokeswoman for Sony, told Bloomberg News.
Though the idea of a "SmartWig" is unique, not everyone is convinced the potential product is a marketable one. (Click here to view the photo of Sony's patent-pending idea)
"It's an interesting idea but I think it would be very difficult for Sony to commercialize," Mitsushige Akino, chief fund manager at Ichiyoshi Asset Management Co. in Tokyo, told Bloomberg News. "Who will want to use this wig will become a problem."
Hiroaki Tobita, an employee at Sony Computer Science Laboratories Inc, is credited for inventing the "SmartWig". The wig can be made of horse hair, human hair, feathers and more. The hairpiece can even be made using synthetic materials, according to Sony.
"It could also come in handy for the gaming industry, especially for virtual reality fans, and could be hooked up to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and radio transceivers, according to the patent application," CNN reported.
Sony is just following the trend of wearable technology. Samsung was the first to unveil their "smartwatch" called Galaxy Gear, which basically is a mini smartphone you can wear on their wrist.
"Smartwatches are already made by many companies, so this is something new and fun," Junya Ayada, a Tokyo-based analyst at Daiwa Securities Group Inc., told Bloomberg News.
