Touch-shake: Design and implementation of a physical contact support device for face-to-face communication

In this study we developed the Touch-Shake, which supports physical contact for face-to-face communication. The Touch-Shake has a LED and a speaker, and is shaped like a baton. When each user holds a Touch-Shake and one user touches the body of the other, the LEDs of the Touch-Shakes turn on and the Touch-Shakes output sounds. Additionally, the output sounds and lighting pattern of LEDs vary based on how the user touches the other body, the users´ body condition, and the users´ physical attributes, which are measured using a capacitive sensor built into the Touch-Shake. The results of an evaluative experiment revealed that the subjects enjoyed physical contact with the Touch-Shake, and they were able to experience rich face-to-face communication.