Domestic Moods and Feelings
In the realm of modern technology, a new wave of innovations is reshaping domestic environments, particularly focusing on promoting remote intimacy and maintaining long-distance relationships. These advancements are designed to create sensory connections that feel personal and empathetic, often through wearable devices or smart home systems that simulate touch or presence despite physical distance.
One notable example of this revolution is Fundawear, a line of remote-controlled intimate clothing that uses haptic feedback to recreate the sensation of touch, allowing couples to communicate physical intimacy remotely. Other developments include Lovotics and similar haptic intimacy products, which incorporate remote touch in wearable forms such as gloves or rings.
Wearable haptics for remote touch play a significant role in this transformation. Devices like Fundawear use vibrations and pressure patterns to simulate caresses or other tactile sensations, controlled via smartphone apps. This allows partners apart to share physical feelings in real time, creating a sense of closeness across distance.
Beyond wearable technology, the integration of AI and ambient intelligence into home devices is another key factor. Leading brands like Samsung are focusing on creating technology that "resonates" emotionally rather than simply delivering functionality. Smart TVs that adapt screen lighting or content to reflect a user’s mood, and smart watches that guide wellbeing routines by sensing stress levels, are examples of this trend.
Smart homes also utilise integrated controls for lighting, music, temperature, and more to set emotional ambiance tailored to personal preferences or shared experiences. This enhances comfort and emotional connection, whether it's creating a romantic dinner scene or a relaxing environment.
Research on emotional computing incorporates data from facial expressions, heart rhythms, and behavioural patterns to enable devices that adapt dynamically to the emotional states of occupants, contributing to more intimate and responsive environments.
Moreover, technology is being used to create moods in homes, replacing traditional devices like scented candles and soft lighting. Manufacturers are increasingly offering intelligent backlighting as a feature of flat panel displays, including gaming monitors, such as Philips' Ambilight. This technology extends the visual experience of whatever is being viewed on the screen to the wall behind, adding an immersive element to the viewing experience.
However, it's important to note that while these remote intimacy technologies are promising, they are still in the research phase. HCI Professor Alan Dix discusses the concept of emotion in the home and remote intimacy, highlighting the potential benefits and challenges these innovations present.
In conclusion, modern technology designed for remote intimacy in domestic settings blends wearable haptics, empathetic AI-driven environments, and smart home ambiance controls that together create immersive, emotionally resonant experiences that bridge physical distance. As these technologies continue to evolve, they promise to revolutionise the way we connect and communicate in our homes.
[1] Samsung SmartThings [2] Smart Home Technology [3] Emotional Computing [4] Smart Homes for Older Adults
Samsung SmartThings, as part of the smart home technology revolution, focuses on creating emotionally resonant environments that adapt to users' moods.
Emotional computing, a research field in technology, improves devices by adapting dynamically to the emotional states of occupants, enhancing the intimacy and responsiveness of domestic environments.
