Title
Mediating intimacy in long-distance relationships using kiss messaging
Abstract
Intimate interactions between remotely located individuals are not well supported by conventional communication tools, mainly due to the lack of physical contact. Also, haptic research has not focused on the use of a kiss as a mode of interaction that maintains intimacy in long distance relationships. In this study, we designed and developed a haptic device called Kissenger (Kiss-Messenger) for this issue. Kissenger is an interactive device that provides a physical interface for transmitting a kiss between two remotely connected people. Each device is paired with another and the amount of force and shape of the kiss by the user is sensed and transmitted to another device that is replicated using actuators. Kissenger is designed to augment already existing remote communication technologies. Challenges in the design and development of the system are addressed through an iterative design process involving constant evaluation by users after each stage. The devices are evaluated through a short- and a long-term user study with remotely located couples. The results point to an initial acceptance of the device with feedback from the users on directions to improve the overall experience. This study discusses potential issues that designers should be aware of when prototyping for remote intimate interactions.
Year
DOI
Venue
2014
10.1016/j.ijhcs.2014.05.004
Int. J. Hum.-Comput. Stud.
Keywords
Field
DocType
Kiss transmission,Tangible user interface,Haptic interpersonal communication,Remote tactile communication,Kissenger
Physical interface,Computer science,Human–computer interaction,Iterative design,Kiss,Multimedia,Tangible user interface,Haptic technology,Remote communication
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
72
10-11
1071-5819
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
19
0.98
42
Authors
11
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Elham Saadatian1525.81
Hooman Aghaebrahimi Samani2747.77
Rahul Parsani3494.15
Anshul Vikram Pandey41106.62
Jinhui Li5190.98
Lenis Tejada Rodriguez6452.84
Adrian David Cheok72233254.03
Ryohei Nakatsu8890194.55
VP Anshul9190.98
TR Lenis10190.98
DC Adrian11190.98