Topic: Exploring Haptic Technology

Haptic technology digitizes touch. CuteCircuit created the Hug shirt that you can hug and send the exact hug, including strength, pressure, distribution, and even heartbeat, to a long-distance friend who is wearing the partner to your Hug shirt. Ben Hui at Cambridge University is creating hand-squeezes that can be sent by mobile phones. You simply squeeze the phone and your friend feels it, in some form, at the other end. The value of these haptic devices is based on the idea that physical touch is an important element to all human interaction, and if you can transfer the physical touch, you can replicate the emotion.

Assignment Instructions & Materials:

Research haptic technology, summarize your findings in a forum post, and then create a new product idea that uses a haptic interface.

Conduct research and provide valid support in a minimum of two to three well-developed paragraphs