Project Overview

Social Touch is an innovative wearable device that aims to foster improved touch experiences in the digital world. It addresses the problem of diminishing human touch and social isolation in an increasingly virtual environment. By simulating tactile sensations through haptic technology, Social Touch enables users to express emotions and maintain a sense of connection with their loved ones, even when physically apart.

Research Approach

To understand the need for digital social touch experiences, our team conducted extensive research, including:

Literature Review

• Reviewed research papers and articles on the importance of touch deprivation, and the role of touch in emotional well-being.
• Studied expert opinions on the use of haptic technology for social touch and its potential benefits.

Clippings of News Articles on Touch depravation

User Interviews

Conducted interviews with individuals suffering from mental illnesses, long-distance relationships, and those experiencing social anxiety during the pandemic.

"Around that time, I absolutely needed to be touched and “anchored” to something real. Fidgets help me with that you see.."

"When panic attacks happened during the day when I was at work or running errands, I would actually massage my arms, shoulders or my thighs to help relax. And it worked. Not as well as holding my husband’s hand, but that’s the best I had under the circumstances (I could hardly ask my colleague if I could hold her hand for a few minutes)."

Gathered insights on the challenges faced due to lack of physical touch and the potential impact of digital touch solutions.

Competitive Analysis

Analyzed existing products in the market, such as Bond Touch, Sense Relief, Apollo Wearable, and MindDoc, to identify gaps and opportunities.

Competitive Analysis of Social Touch

Key Findings

• Human touch plays a vital role in emotional regulation, stress relief, and fostering social connections.
• The lack of physical touch during the pandemic and social distancing measures has led to increased feelings of loneliness and social isolation.
• Existing mental health apps and wearables primarily focus on data tracking and lack tactile communication features.
• There is a need for innovative solutions that can bridge the gap between the digital and physical worlds, enabling remote touch experiences.

Problem Statement

”How might we help humans express their emotions through tactile experiences so that they can feel loved and cared for, wherever they go?”

Design Solution

Based on the research findings, our team developed the Social Touch haptic sleeve, which incorporates the following features:

• Embedded vibration motors to simulate tactile sensations through hand gestures.
• Pressure and thermal control modes to aid in stress relief and panic attack management.

Share Multiple Touch interactions

• Connectivity with loved ones to share touch experiences and communicate emotional states.
• Interactive controls and customizable haptic settings for personalized touch experiences.

Control & Customise Touch Interactions from the app

By introducing social touch to the digital world, Social Touch aims to support emotional and mental well-being, fostering a sense of connection and empathy, even in virtual environments.

Cacophony (yeah, not always right happens)

While Social Touch presents a promising solution, we acknowledge the potential challenges and concerns surrounding digital touch experiences. The "medium" of touch (i.e., the skin) and the question of who gets to touch what and who receives it pose privacy and trust issues. There is a need to develop acceptable haptic encodings that are comprehensible and foster a sense of humanity in giving and receiving digital social touch, while considering diverse genders, cultures, and preferences.

Reflections

Despite the cacophony of fears and uncertainties surrounding digital touch, we remain optimistic about the potential of Social Touch to create meaningful connections in the virtual realm. By addressing the fundamental human need for touch and emotional support, our project aims to pave the way for a more empathetic and inclusive digital future. However, we recognize the importance of continued research, ethical considerations, and user-centered design approaches to ensure that digital touch experiences are not only technologically advanced but also socially responsible and culturally sensitive.

Future Considerations

• Addressing potential privacy and trust concerns regarding digital touch experiences.
• Exploring culturally acceptable haptic encodings for diverse user groups.
• Developing more advanced interaction design tools for digital social touch applications.

The Social Touch project represents a bold step towards a future where the warmth of human connection transcends physical barriers, embracing the digital realm with empathy, compassion, and the nurturing power of touch.