Gamers are often used to dirt, gunk, grease, and grime from all their binge gaming sessions (right?). Sadly, all that bacteria goes to waste if you just clean it up. One innovator, however, managed to make use of bacteria– albeit a different kind, to create a fully functioning controller.
The invention came from Vivien Roussel, Madalina Nicolae, and Marc Teyssier and they call it the BioHybrid Device. With that said, the three aforementioned visionaries didn’t just make the bacteria controller for shits and giggles (or to pair up with your sweaty gaming setup). The BioHybrid Device is apparently an experimental alternative to plastic controllers.
After all, plastic waste is a rampant global issue, especially with how many controllers some of you are burning through after playing games like Elden Ring. It’s just that the BioHybrid Device might not take off right away or at all, especially since it was created using bacteria and yeast. Here’s how the bacteria controller was made.
According to Design Boom, the designers used a fusion of bacteria and yeast, they were then able to create a leather-like biological housing material that still somehow lets electric currents flow on circuit boards. Should you break the controller or choose to discard it, there’s less environmental impact since the biological product can supposedly decay.
Not Exactly Ideal for Gaming
However, the ergonomics of the device leave a lot to be desired as it’s mostly just a flat piece of control input– quite a far cry from what Sony and Microsoft have come up with. So it won’t be taking mainstream markets anytime soon.
Of course, there are other applications outside of gaming, such as medical tools, and other common disposable household products made of plastic. Still, being able to function as a working controller is quite a flex of the BioHybrid Device.
The bigger advantage is that it’s also easier to make, and might even become available for households in the near future, given how there’s plenty of bacteria all around. All you might need is a swipe from your mouse or phone, paired with some yeast and controller circuit boards.
