Remote Touch Communication System for family Communication

Abstract

This thesis presents the development of novel remote touch communication systems for the modern day family. Pet Internet demonstrates a novel input interface that captures human touch and an output interface that reproduces the touch on the pets body. The human user has a doll resembling the pet as the interface, while the pet adorns a lightweight, wearable haptic suit. Huggy Pajama demonstrates a novel remote hugging communication system that allows family members to hug each other remotely via the Internet. The input interface is a small, mobile device that captures human touch force and the output interface is a mobile wearable suit with embedded pneumatic actuators. Users indicated their positive feelings and perception of the system, and noted their willingness to use this system in their daily lives. Our systems and the studies provide a strong fundamental platform to further perpetuate the development of remote touch communication systems.