Embodied Telepresent Connection (ETC): Exploring Virtual Social Touch Through Pseudohaptics

Abstract

In search of missing tactile sensations in telepresent virtual reality (VR), we set off to explore how we might be able to apply pseudo-haptics to elicit an embodied illusion of social touch. We developed ETC (Embodied Telepresent Connection), a prototype that allows two participants to interact remotely through pseudo-haptic touch via their abstract aura avatars. ETC consists of a set of interaction patterns aimed to elicit an illusion of interpersonal touch using embodied metaphors, simulated physics, integration of visuals and sounds, biosignal representation, and embedded social connotations. We showed ETC at 5 events and 3 workshops, observing participants and gathering feedback from them. Here, we report on our design process and initial observations relating to the experience of virtual social touch. We observed that pseudo-haptics applied to social interaction afford a subtle and somewhat uncanny experience of virtual touch with the potential for intimate embodied connection.