Olivia Pasian

"This project is a prototype of a design research thesis project. The larger research project, and this prototype, both investigate the potential for haptic technology to help users “keep in touch” with their loved ones when apart. Eventually, the aim is to be able to send signals to your friends and family to feel connected. In this prototype, visitors are invited to sit with friends, family, or strangers to explore haptic communication. There are screen interfaces to design vibration patterns which can be output on the haptic devices. These devices can be held, worn, or placed anywhere on the body to experience the vibrational patterns. The pattern creation can be either a shared collaborative experience or a solo exploration and can focus on communication or felt experience. Users are prompted to think on shared memories, non-verbal communications, gestures, verbal phrases, or inside jokes, then asked – what would you want to send each-other via haptics? "