The tattoo industry is buzzing with the launch of Blackdot, an Austin-based startup rolling out what's been dubbed one of the first automatic tattooing devices. Promising less pain and higher resolution, the company is making waves with its innovative approach that combines advanced technology with human artistry. Blackdot's machine begins the tattoo process by creating tiny, concealable dots on the skin, assessing the optimal injection depth by comparing them against a database of different skin types, according to KXAN,
Already with a full booking schedule through March, while tattooing just two to three clients per week, Blackdot's automated system prides on using machine vision to identify the best tattoo locations on the body, say a forearm or a tricep. Customers seem to appreciate the reduced pain of the procedure, with technology entrepreneur Kevin Rose describing his experience, "When that needle actually hits the skin, it's way less painful than a traditional tattoo," as reported by KXAN.
Joel Pennington, the founder and CEO of Blackdot, insists that the goal is not to supplant tattoo artists. Pennington envisions a symbiotic relationship where artists receive royalties every time their designs are rendered onto a client's skin, offering them a chance to widen their income streams within an industry notorious for its cap on earnings. Local tattoo artist Donny Mann, seeing the potential for an "extra side hustle," welcomed the new revenue source, as per KXAN.
