Exploring Embedded Haptics for Social Networking and Interactions

Haptic feedback is frequently used for user interactions with mobile devices, wearables, and handheld controllers in virtual reality and entertainment settings. We explore the use of vibrotactile (VT) feedback for social and interpersonal communication on embedded systems, particularly in a mobile context. We propose an architecture that supports compact packet communication between devices and triggers expressive VT patterns in a typical messenger application. We present a communication API, haptic vocabularies, and an interface for receiving and authoring haptic messages. Finally, we conclude with an informal survey for using haptics in a social setting.