Austin startup's AI tattoo machine can give you ink in minutes
Blackdot is here—an innovative fully automated tattoo machine.
Built by an Austin startup, it uses AI and robotics to create detailed grayscale tattoos on flat areas like your arm or leg.
The process is quicker, cleaner, and less painful than old-school tattooing thanks to super-fine 0.25mm needlework.
How does the machine work?
Designs are turned into special .tattoo files.
Before starting, the machine tests your skin with tiny dots and checks them against a massive online database to get the needle depth just right.
It even removes extra ink as it goes for a tidy finish.
Artists can upload designs to earn royalties
Artists can upload their designs to Blackdot's platform and earn royalties every time someone picks their art.
Blackdot plans to lease these machines to studios soon—though some artists are still on the fence about letting robots join the party.
The future of tattooing
Right now, Blackdot only does grayscale tattoos on certain body parts. But upgrades for more flexibility are in the works.
The company sees its robot as a tool for artists—not a replacement—hoping to bring more precision (and maybe less pain) to getting inked.