TOUCH: A Multi-sensory Communication System that Communicates Emotions

During the pandemic, many people have found themselves physically isolated from each other for long periods. As a consequence, online communication tools have become the primary mean for social interaction among people in quarantine. However, texts and other chatting tools do not adequately transmit the complex emotions hidden behind them. Without the stimulation of sensations from face-to-face communications, people hinder their ability to observe others' emotions and feelings effectively. In this work, we propose a system that aims to improve emotional communication. We present Touch - a combination of a social media app and a wearable device that can receive and display multi-sensory feedback, including light, digital display, vibrations, and tactile interaction to transfer emotions. While the app encourages interaction between users through virtual spaces, the wearable device further enriches people's communication by offering another means to express emotions not afforded by virtual interactions. Together, these two elements of the Touch project offer a sounding solution to the problem of misunderstanding in communication.