Smart wearable stamp could be the next big thing in contactless payments
It seems that wearables are slowly merging with our bodies. PCH, an Irish custom designed manufacturing company, has forged a partnership with MC10, a US healthcare technology company. The collaboration aims to bring to market a breatheable, waterproof, tatoo-like wearable, which could be used for cashless payments and numerous other consumer applications.
PCH works with Fortune 500 companies and hardware startups to develop, manufacture, package, and distribute products as well as manage supply chains. The company has already made headlines earlier this year with its L’Oreal partnership in creating a wearable UV patch. MC10, on the other hand, is a US-based healthcare technology company specialising in stretchable body-worn computing systems.
The wearable utilises near field communication technology to communicate with a smartphone or NFC reader, and can be customised for use in a variety of consumer applications. This includes facilitating hotel room access, event registration, and interactive experiences at amusement parks, sporting and music events. The stamp could also be used to transmit patient information in a medical context.
“We are excited to partner with PCH to expand the reach of MC10’s body-worn electronics globally, within and beyond our core healthcare market. PCH’s experience working with leading consumer brands, and their ability to commercialize the technology, will accelerate development of new applications within a variety of industries for skin-worn wearables,” said Scott Pomerantz, CEO of MC10.
Mr Casey, founder and chief executive of PCH, said the stamp is “highly customisable, allowing brands to create personalised and engaging experiences that reinforce customer loyalty”.
PCH said the stamp is designed to tear and become unreadable when it is removed from the body in order to maintain the security of stored information. It has not yet been announced when the technology will roll out or what brands will be part of the package.
