Guest Thinkers — February 3, 2011

Scientists Develop the “Cyberhug”

Scientists claim the average hug lasts for three seconds, but it has long been claimed that computers could allow us to do so remotely using electrical sensors.

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Sensory equipment enabling people to share a hug across cyberspace has been in development for several years, and experts insist it will one day become part of everyday life.

Adrian Cheok, associate professor at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University developed one such system in 2005 allowing parents and children to share “cyberhugs” while miles apart.

Teddy bears were fitted with sensors that detected when they were hugged by the parent, and the sensation was transmitted to the child via a special jacket fitted with heated copper wires.

The most counterintuitive, surprising, and impactful new stories delivered to your inbox every Thursday.

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