From sparkly plastic cases to the classic Boomer-favourite wallet case, phone cases already come in a range of weird and wonderful styles.
But the latest case is arguably the most unusual one yet.
O2 has joined forces with pioneering Creative Technologist, Marc Teyssier, on a new phone case, which is designed to mimic human skin.
Dubbed the ‘Skincase’, the creepy case is 3D-printed using silicone, which means it not only looks like human skin, but also feels like it.
Available in four skintones, the Skincase features special pigments that change colour when exposed to UV – just like our skin burning in the sun.
O2 hopes it will remind holidaymakers to take as much notice of their skin while on holiday as they do their phone.
‘Our phones are objects we don’t expect to change and to react in a humane way,’ Mr Teyssier said.
‘By creating a tangible, visceral reaction to UV exposure, together with O2, the Skincase not only raises awareness of sun safety towards but highlights how sun protection is an undeniable priority.’
O2 has joined forces with pioneering Creative Technologist, Marc Teyssier, on a new phone case, which is designed to mimic human skin
Dubbed the ‘Skincase’, the creepy case is 3D-printed using silicone, which means it not only looks like human skin, but also feels like it
Europe has seen record-breaking temperatures this week, as a deadly heatwave sweeps the continent.
Spain recorded its hottest June day on record at the weekend, with 46C recorded in El Granado, in the Andalucían province of Huelva.
Meanwhile, a new record high for June was also recorded in Mora in Portugal on Sunday, at 46.6C (116F), according to the national meteorological agency.
With many Brits counting down to their European breaks, O2 set out to find a way to remind these holidaymakers about sun safety.
‘Holidays should be about creating unmissable moments, bringing home souvenirs and making memories – not about roaming bills and sunburn,’ said Christian Hindennach, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Media O2.
‘With mobiles being such an essential part of everyday life, and while on holiday as our research shows, we’ve created the Skincase to demonstrate in real time just how severe the effects of sunburn can be, and to promote awareness of vital sun safety among holidaymakers.’
To create the case, Mr Teyssier combined silicone with a UV-reacting pigment, and fed the mix through a 3D printer.
To make it look as lifelike as possible, the researcher even etched lines into the synthetic skin, making it look like the palm of a hand.
To make it look as lifelike as possible, the researcher even etched lines into the synthetic skin, making it look like the palm of a hand
To create the case, Mr Teyssier combined silicone with a UV-reacting pigment, and fed the mix through a 3D printer
Europe has seen record-breaking temperatures this week, as a deadly heatwave sweeps the continent. Pictured: a sunbather on the beach in Dorset
When it’s inside or in the shade, the case is either beige, tan, or dark brown, depending on the design.
However, when you take it outside, or shine a UV light on it, it quickly changes colour – turning either pink or darker brown.
Unfortunately, the phone case is still a prototype, and it remains unclear when, or if it will go on sale in the UK.
This isn’t the first time that Mr Teyssier has come out with a skin-inspired phone case.
Back in 2019, the researcher developed a skin-like phone case that responded to different forms of human contact such as tickling, caressing and pinching.
Speaking at the time, he said: ‘This skin has a subtle surface texture – the sensing is performed in the dermis and the hypodermis layer (fat layer) and the elasticity is what allows us to perform expressive gestures such as pinching.’
