This position paper outlines the first stages in an ongoing PhD project on mediated social touch, and the effects mediated touch can have on someone's affective state. It is argued that touch is a profound communication channel for humans, and that communication through touch can, to some extent, occur through mediation. Furthermore, touch can be used to communicate emotions, as well as have immediate affective consequences. The design of an input device, consisting of twelve force-sensitive resistors, to study the communication of emotions through mediated touch is presented. A pilot study indicated that participants used duration of touch and force applied as ways to distinguish between different emotions. This paper will conclude by discussing possible improvements for the input device, how the pilot study fits with the overall PhD project, as well as future directions for the PhD project in general.
['Gijs Huisman']
A touch of affect: mediated social touch and affect