Wearable robot lets internet users 'feel' physical contact

Internet users will be able to reach out and hug one another thanks to a new wearable robotic device that creates the sensation of physical contact.

By Danielle Demetriou in Tokyo
Published: 7:00AM BST 07 Apr 2010
Wearable robot lets internet users 'feel' physical contact
The device is capable of distinguishing nine emotions including joy, fear, interest, guilt and anger Photo: GETTY IMAGES

The iFeel-IM device, created by Japan-based scientists, simulates sensations such as heart beats, hugging, stomach butterflies and spine tingles among those wearing it.

The robotic creation was among a string of futuristic interactive devices showcased at the first two-day Augmented Human International Conference held in the French ski resort Megeve.

Dzmitry Tsetserukou, an assistant professor at Toyohashi University of Technology in Japan, described how his iFeel-IM robotic device was designed to add a human touch to the ethereal world of cyberspace.

"We are steeped in computer-mediated communication - SMS, e-mail, Twitter, Instant Messaging, 3-D virtual worlds - but many people don't connect emotionally," he said.

"I am looking to create a deep immersive experience, not just a vibration in your shirt triggered by an SMS. Emotion is what give communication life."

The result of five years of research, the new device – whose name stands for I Feel Therefore I Am – consists of a complex collection of sensors, motors, vibrators and speakers woven into a series of straps.

Software created by Alena Neviarouskaya, a researcher at the University of Tokyo, decodes emotional messages embedded in written text, triggering the appropriate touch response within the robot.

The device is capable of distinguishing nine emotions including joy, fear, interest, guilt and anger with 90 per accuracy resulting in corresponding physical sensations such as squeezes and increased warmth in the user.

While the technology would have enabled scientists to add a mechanism for sexual desire, the scientists opted against it to avoid distracting from its emotion-based focus.

In an echo of the Hollywood blockbuster Avatar, the new robot was tested during the conference on the three-dimensional environment Second Life, where on-line personas gave and received hugs physically felt by their human controllers.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2489479/posts

While the technology would have enabled scientists to add a mechanism for sexual desire, the scientists opted against it to avoid distracting from its emotion-based focus.

How noble of those scientists but we all know where this is inevitably headed.... Um, so when can I get the Petra Verkaik version of this thingy?
1 posted on Friday, April 09, 2010 10:17:13 AM by PJ-Comix
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To: PJ-Comix

Is there something with Japanese women that keep driving these Japanese scientists to keep coming up with ways to replace them, or are they just freaky?

2 posted on Friday, April 09, 2010 10:19:33 AM by diverteach (D.C. has become Jonestown)
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To: diverteach

lol.. is it me or are there a bunch of kinky Japanese scientists who get off on research like this or what?

3 posted on Friday, April 09, 2010 10:21:37 AM by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Godspeed .. Monthly Donor Onboard .. Chuck DeVore - CA Senator. Believe.)
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To: diverteach
Is there something with Japanese women that keep driving these Japanese scientists to keep coming up with ways to replace them, or are they just freaky?

And why are our scientists so far behind ?
4 posted on Friday, April 09, 2010 10:21:59 AM by kbennkc (For those who have fought for it , freedom has a flavor the protected will never know F Trp 8th Cav)
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To: diverteach
Used to think the English were freaky when I lived there, but it seems the Japanese beat them every time.
5 posted on Friday, April 09, 2010 10:23:29 AM by SmokingJoe
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To: PJ-Comix

“If some unemployed punk in Trenton, New Jersey, lying on a sofa with a bong, can get a cassette to make love to Elle McPherson for $19.95, this virtual reality stuff is going to make crack look like Sanka.” - Dennis Miller

6 posted on Friday, April 09, 2010 10:25:07 AM by ConservaTexan (February 6, 1911)
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To: diverteach
Is there something with Japanese women that keep driving these Japanese scientists to keep coming up with ways to replace them, or are they just freaky?

The problem is more likely with the Japanese men. I knew a lot of Japanese businessmen in L.A. and they would ignore really hot looking Japanese women in order to search for skanky looking bleach blonde street hos in the USA. It made no difference how ugly the American hos were as long as they were blonde. And most of them were fake blondes.
7 posted on Friday, April 09, 2010 10:25:42 AM by PJ-Comix ( Redundancy Can Be Quite Catchy As Well As Contagious)
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To: diverteach

Spent an R&R in Japan. Japanese scientists must have met some other women than Japanese!

8 posted on Friday, April 09, 2010 10:26:22 AM by TaMoDee
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To: ConservaTexan

lol

9 posted on Friday, April 09, 2010 10:27:16 AM by ecomcon
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To: PJ-Comix

Yep - and the blondes’ carpet rarely matches the drapes. This brought a song and a movie to mind - Turning Japanese by The Vapors (old 80s tune) and Brainstorm (80s movie - I think it was Natalie Woods’ last film).

10 posted on Friday, April 09, 2010 10:35:25 AM by vrwconspiracist (The Tax Man cometh)
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To: PJ-Comix
and they would ignore really hot looking Japanese women in order to search for skanky looking bleach blonde street hos in the USA. It made no difference how ugly the American hos were as long as they were blonde. And most of them were fake blondes.

I am not sure if you ever read any of James Clavell’s historical novels about Japan, but the stories of these Japanese samurai getting off on skanky white blond hookers, was recurring theme in quite a few of his books. They seemed to really get off on the really skanky ones for some reason.
11 posted on Friday, April 09, 2010 10:36:35 AM by SmokingJoe
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To: PJ-Comix
[cue the Citibank identity-theft-prevention ad]

“...a girl robot...This is gonna be the best prom ever!”
12 posted on Friday, April 09, 2010 10:36:38 AM by RichInOC (No! BAD Rich! (What'd I say?))
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To: SmokingJoe

I was walking down a street once near the Sunset Strip in L.A.. What I saw were two taxiloads of skanky fake blonde hos tossing rocks at each other. Why? Because parked nearby was another cab full of Japanese businessmen. What happened is that a bunch of the skanky fake blonde hos spotted the business men and hopped into a cab to go after them. Unfortunately another cab full of skanky fake blonde hos were already in hot pursuit of the Japanese. Soooo....when the cab full of the Japanese pulled over, so did the two carloads of skanky blonde hos who battled it out with rocks over who would claim the Japanese businessmen. Meanwhile the Japanese businessmen were getting a kick watching the “blondes” fight over them. Very funny scene!!!

13 posted on Friday, April 09, 2010 10:42:55 AM by PJ-Comix ( Redundancy Can Be Quite Catchy As Well As Contagious)
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To: PJ-Comix

Reminds me of the Orgasmatron or the Orb from Woody Allen’s Sleeper.

14 posted on Friday, April 09, 2010 10:45:29 AM by Irenic
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To: PJ-Comix
Virtual Girlfriend in "The 6th Day" (Ahnold should have stayed an actor)


15 posted on Friday, April 09, 2010 10:46:24 AM by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: PJ-Comix
Chuckle!
And they had all this free entertainment and never even had to pay for it.
16 posted on Friday, April 09, 2010 10:49:21 AM by SmokingJoe
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To: SmokingJoe

There is some really gruesome Anime out there.

17 posted on Friday, April 09, 2010 10:54:51 AM by Cyber Liberty (Build a man a fire; he'll be warm for a night. Set a man on fire; he'll be warm the rest of his life)
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To: PJ-Comix

Did they have coupons?

18 posted on Friday, April 09, 2010 10:55:34 AM by Cyber Liberty (Build a man a fire; he'll be warm for a night. Set a man on fire; he'll be warm the rest of his life)
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To: PJ-Comix
Where is this heading??

Here's the state of the art 5.5 years ago:

Ins and Outs of Teledildonics
19 posted on Friday, April 09, 2010 11:02:55 AM by cynwoody
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To: diverteach

My wife is half-Japanese, and, well, I have no desire for a robot.