HugMe: A haptic videoconferencing system for interpersonal communication

Traditional teleconferencing multimedia systems are limited to audio and video information. Human touch, in the form of handshake, encouraging pat, comforting hug, among other physical contacts, is fundamental to physical and emotional development. This paper presents the motivation and design of a synchronous haptic teleconferencing system with touch interaction to convey affection and nurture. We present a preliminary prototype for haptic poking. Examples of potential applications for HugMe include the domains of physical and/or emotional therapy, understaffed hospitals, remote children caring and distant loverspsila communication.