Rice University turns skeleton into a data network

We've seen plenty of ideas and even a patent related to the employment of human skin in the transport of data. We've also seen our fair share of bone conducting audio products come to market in the last few years. Now in a synthesis of the two, scientists at Rice University have developed a technique whereby rattles to the skeleton can transmit information to gadgets and medical devices strapped on (or inside of) your meat sack. Their approach has resulted in "amazingly few errors" even when using low-powered vibrations. Great, soon our handshakes will transfer both biological and software-related viruses? Oh boy.

[Thanks, Geetu]

[Chuckles McGee @ Jun 15th 2007 12:13AM]

The legbone's connected to the ... kneebone... the kneebone's connected to the 1000 megabit ethernet...dem bones dem bones dem bones!

[Adoniteking @ Jun 15th 2007 12:15AM]

This idea has CANCER written ALL OVER IT!..sorry but i will be sticking with wires.

[Gil @ Jun 15th 2007 1:18AM]

WHY the hell would you think that?

This is vibrations (like with sound). Your earphones can give you more cancer than this tech

[Gil @ Jun 15th 2007 1:20AM]

WHY the hell would you think that?

This is vibrations (like sound). Your earphones can give you more cancer than this tech

[... @ Jun 15th 2007 1:25AM]

that's some flawed logic... If you were to go on the idea that all EM causes radiation (seems like you're the type) then the electromagnetic field emitted by the wire would be more dangerous then the vibrations sent through your bones.

But luckily in reality all EM doesn't cause cancer and neither do vibrations, so we're all good.

[Deluxe @ Jun 15th 2007 3:05AM]

Adoniteking, Yeah I know *everything* causes cancer nowadays. Oops, I nearly just fell off our flat earth, I'd better shift my desk further from the edge.

[Adoniteking @ Jun 15th 2007 4:05AM]

ok you can all dish out your high school physics theories now about the idea (which may be true) but am pretty sure many people would agree that there is something "medically" not right about the idea... This is something that has to do with the body anatomy as its MEANS and would probably be used VERY FREQUENTLY...common this rings major alarms...moreover it is one of those ideas that needs to be tested over a very long term but if you are happy with it then be my guest...

[Alex @ Jun 15th 2007 7:21AM]

Learn to spell and use grammar Adoniteking.....and something "medically" not right.....excuse the pun, but I'll go out on a limb here and say that you are not a doctor? Hell you seem to be more of a modern day Luddite!

[Sick Boy @ Jun 15th 2007 8:48AM]

Social D!

[BlakeFOTM @ Jun 16th 2007 12:46PM]

HAHA figures that the only person to notice the logo is named Sick Boy. Na - Na - Na - Na - Naaaaa - Naaaaaaaaaaa!

Great song, Great name, Great band.

[marcoemerson @ Jun 15th 2007 10:25PM]

This is the funniest pic/heading combo I've seen in a while.

[Sporkinum @ Jun 16th 2007 12:21AM]

Looks like a SKA-leton to me. Probably listening to something on the Stiff Records label.

[ernie gregg @ Jun 16th 2007 12:50AM]

Oh Engadget, did you really have to print the words 'meat sack'? Thank you for reminding me that while gadgetry is cold and metal and may last forever, this old body is organic and definitely has an expiration date. Meat Sack. blech.