Blackdot, a startup founded by ex-Cisco exec Joel Pennington, has developed the world’s first automatic tattooing machine — a fridge-sized device that uses pinpoint dot technology to tattoo skin with high precision. The machine isn’t fully autonomous but is operated by a technician and currently works best on flat surfaces like arms and legs. It creates grayscale tattoos with a focus on realism and text, and is already being used at the famous Bang Bang tattoo studio in NYC.
The device has sparked controversy in the tattoo community, raising concerns about automation, artistic authenticity, and pricing (some tattoos cost up to $10,000). Still, supporters argue it offers new creative possibilities and could democratize access to tattoo art via a royalty-based marketplace for licensed designs.
While limited in scope for now — no color tattoos or complex body parts — Blackdot plans to expand both its technology and reach, aiming to blend human creativity with machine precision.
Source: The Verge
