HugMe: An interpersonal haptic communication system

Traditional teleconferencing multimedia systems have been limited to audio and video information. However, human touch, in the form of handshake, encouraging pat, comforting hug, among other physical contacts, is fundamental to physical and emotional development between persons. 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 an interpersonal haptic communication system called HugMe. Examples of potential applications for HugMe include the domains of physical and/or emotional therapy, understaffed hospitals, remote children caring and distant loverspsila communication. This paper is submitted for demonstration.