Sunday, August 30, 2015

Forecast #1: Virtual Touch

Sources:
http://www.livescience.com/18431-future-long-distance-love-cool-creepy.html
http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1939342_1939424_1939709,00.html
http://cutecircuit.com/the-hug-shirt/
http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/32392-one-step-beyond-the-hug-shirt-video.htm
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/reverse-electrovibration-virtual-touch





*** VIDEO ***


ANALYSIS:

Advancements in communication technology have made vast improvements when it comes to maintaining long distance relationships. From sending letters, making phone calls, texting, to video chatting, our methods of communication have become a lot easier, faster, and more personal, but what comes after screens and skype? Virtual touch. Physical touch from a partner releases oxytocin in the brain, helping to form a stronger bond within the relationship. The HugShirt was invented by Francesca Rosella and Ryan Genz the co-founders of CuteCircuit, and was named one of 2006's best inventions of the year by Time Magazine. Sensors are embedded in the shirt, and can sense strength, duration, location of touch, skin warmth, and even the heartbeat rate of the sender. Along with these sensors, are actuators, which recreate the sensation of the touch and warmth of the hug that was "sent" to you. The fact that we can instantly communicate with someone across the globe is incredible already, but to be able to add the sensation of physical touch to that, would be close to magic. 


IMPACTS:

global- globally, this technological advancement may encourage more people to travel for business, or just travel for longer periods of time. It might increase productivity if they know that they can still hug their loved ones goodnight, even while doing business in a different timezone. 

national- I could see this product, or another virtual touch product, being distributed among Americans enlisted in the military, and their families. Long distance relationships can become a huge part of their lives, so a product like this could get a lot of use and appreciation from them.

local/personal- Being in a long distance relationship and knowing their hardships, I would definitely be open to trying something like the HugShirt. It seems cheesy and a little weird, but it'd be really interesting to experience!

TIMELINE:

2 months- continuing to work on and test the product for it to become readily available to the public

20 years- expanding from products like the HugShirt into technology that uses a combination of virtual touch and holograms, getting even closer to face to face contact without being in the same space

FUTURE PREDICTIONS:

positive- increase of travel for business, more successful long distance relationships, and generally better mental health for people experiencing LDRs 

negative- people may feel abandoned if a loved one chooses to start traveling more due to new technology, and there could be potential health issues when it comes to wearing technology (cancer)

REGION OF THE FUTURE:

social tech/human tech/bio tech

QUESTIONS FOR THE CLASS:

  • would you have any interest in purchasing something like the HugShirt?
  • how do you feel about the look of the HugShirt?
  • would you feel weird using one in public? or do you think that they would become something that people get used to seeing? (ex. selfie sticks, people taking weird snapchats, etc.) 




7 comments:

  1. This is way too precious, why isn't this available at Target? People would buy this product just for the novelty of giving it as gift!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love this idea of a hug shirt, but maybe there could be some over-use? NOT! Who doesn't love hugs! I also thought that was Miley Cyrus in the first photo.
    I do agree with Eric and think that people would purchase this as a gift for others

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love this idea of a hug shirt, but maybe there could be some over-use? NOT! Who doesn't love hugs! I also thought that was Miley Cyrus in the first photo.
    I do agree with Eric and think that people would purchase this as a gift for others

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think this is a really sweet invention, in more ways than one. It makes me think about the possibility of using this technology on politicians and war criminals and if they were to experience this level of intimacy if they would be as prone to be malicious towards others. Definitely a more hippie-dippie take on peace, yet I think that those who are so hateful are lacking that sense of love and acceptance. More hugs=less violence=better for everyone!

    I do think that this should not be the only source of intimacy and is by no means a total replacement for real human connection. It would need to be used for special situations rather than an all-around cure-all.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think this is a really sweet invention, in more ways than one. It makes me think about the possibility of using this technology on politicians and war criminals and if they were to experience this level of intimacy if they would be as prone to be malicious towards others. Definitely a more hippie-dippie take on peace, yet I think that those who are so hateful are lacking that sense of love and acceptance. More hugs=less violence=better for everyone!

    I do think that this should not be the only source of intimacy and is by no means a total replacement for real human connection. It would need to be used for special situations rather than an all-around cure-all.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I think this is a really sweet invention, in more ways than one. It makes me think about the possibility of using this technology on politicians and war criminals and if they were to experience this level of intimacy if they would be as prone to be malicious towards others. Definitely a more hippie-dippie take on peace, yet I think that those who are so hateful are lacking that sense of love and acceptance. More hugs=less violence=better for everyone!

    I do think that this should not be the only source of intimacy and is by no means a total replacement for real human connection. It would need to be used for special situations rather than an all-around cure-all.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is such a weird, but interesting concept. Does each person have to be wearing the Hug Shirt? And how much do things like these cost?! I feel like if they were really successful, they would have been a while ago, seeing that this was the best invention in 2006. However, it would be so interesting to try something like this! Technology blows me away, but its the ideas behind the technology invented that blow my mind even more! I feel like this could also be used as some sort of therapy for people with mental disabilities- depression, anxiety, etc.

    ReplyDelete

Just keeping things on the up and up since this is for my students to communicate first.