The Need

Human touch is vital to health and well-being, supporting stress reduction, emotional regulation, and healing from infancy through old age. In therapy and rehabilitation, it plays a critical role, yet is rarely measured. Sensors that detect human contact can both encourage touch and capture valuable data, transforming an invisible element of interaction into actionable insight and a richer human experience.

The Technology

Our system utilizes wearable technology that employs advanced wearable sensors and microcontrollers. The first wearable sensor, equipped with multiple electrodes, detects electrical potentials on the wearer's skin, enabling precise sensing of collaborative interaction events. This sensor is seamlessly integrated into a wristband, featuring both conductive and nonconductive yarn sections, ensuring comfort and flexibility during wear. The microcontroller, in communication with the sensors, accurately determines collaborative interaction events and can relay this information to a connected display for real-time feedback.

Benefits/Advantages

• Real-time feedback: Instantaneous detection and feedback on interactions enable swift adjustments and improvements.
• Comfort and flexibility: The wristband design ensures comfort during extended wear.
• Enhanced understanding: Precise sensing capabilities provide detailed insights into the frequency, duration, and context of human touch.

Commercial Applications

• Entertainment & Gaming
  • Immersive experiences – Multiplayer VR/AR games where physical contact is a recognized input signal.
  • Interactive storytelling – Experiences that change dynamically based on when/where people touch.
  • Social gaming – Encourage group play where physical collaboration is essential.
• Healthcare & Therapy
  • Autism and Developmental Therapy - encourage positive touch-based interactions, supporting personalized interventions and improved developmental outcomes.
  • Mental Health & Behavioral Therapy - provides actionable insights that enhance treatment effectiveness, track patient progress, and strengthen emotional well-being.