Mobile implementation and user evaluation of the Huggy Pajama system

Abstract

We introduce Huggy Pajama, a system for remote hugging targeted at parent-child communication. Expanding on experimentation and research shared in a previously published paper; in this paper we focus on development breakthroughs regarding the wearable output and independently controlled multiple air-actuated modules found in the mobile wearable jacket subsystem. We include practical data in designing the wearable and mobile version of Huggy Pajama with embedded electronic and pneumatic devices, as well as offer results from a user study, from which we find that in order to deliver a mediated hug of high fidelity, the system needs to be capable of actuating hugs with a wide and differing range of pressure. Finally, we also present results from this study that show an overall positive emotional affect in the use of the new and improved version of the Huggy Pajama system. © 2012 IEEE.