aristarkh chernyshev imagines the future of cell phones with a blood-feeding organism

imagine a smartphone that doesn’t need a charger but instead lives on your body and feeds off your blood… this is what artist aristarkh chernyshev has conceptualized with PiO. PiO, or ‘personal informational organism’, is a hybrid of a genetically modified leech and a cell phone that has the ability to continuously monitor the human body. the concept proposes to be ‘your personal trainer, your personal doctor and your inseparable friend and adviser’, while still being able to make phone calls. 

general view of PiO v 1.1

all images courtesy of aristarkh chernyshev

‘without noticing it, a person lives in symbiosis with many micro-organisms that make up the flora of their intestines and skin. these micro-organisms help them digest food and protect the skin. in the post-anthropocene era, when the internet of things, the internet of animals, the internet of non-human entities and agents already exist, the time has come to bring the symbiosis of humans and other organisms, including those created by humans themselves, to a new level. PiO is such an organism.’ – aristarkh chernyshev

prototype with limited functionality presented at the exhibition

forget about the constant search for a charger, PiO doesn’t need wires. this unusual device is a hybrid of a leech and a smartphone; it feeds on the blood of the owner, thereby maintaining its working capability: simultaneously it collects medical data (e.g., monitoring heart rate and blood pressure, carrying out blood tests); if necessary, it can synthesize various substances, such as insulin, and introduce them into the blood of the owner.

detail of the prototype 

all the data collected is integrated into a single cloud-based data system about your health. it includes data obtained in other institutions, private clinics, dentists’ offices and other specialists. the data is analyzed by the latest self-learning software based on artificial intelligence. the result of this analysis is a regular update, which is sent to PiO, and it, in turn, produces the necessary substances in its body and injects them into your bloodstream. the updated version of PiO includes two eye-cameras so that you can make video calls and participate in video chats and conferences. thus, your body is under constant unobtrusive observation and gentle care, and your mind is always in touch with the information universe!

demo video

PiO – your personal informational organism

PiO – your inseparable friend and adviser

PiO – your personal trainer

PiO – your guardian angel

this unusual device is a hybrid of a leech and a smartphone

PiO includes two eye-cameras so that you can make video calls and participate in video chats and conferences

exhibition prototype

you can choose the right color for your PiO

project info:

project name: PiO v1.1

status: concept

artist: aristarkh chernyshev

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom