Canadian researchers are using new technology to enhance relationship satisfaction when couples confront geographic barriers. <\/p>\n
Devices being developed at Simon Fraser University (SFU) allow couples to remotely share a walk, watch movies together, and even give each other a massage. <\/p>\n
Its all about feeling connected, said Dr. Carman Neustaedter, an associate professor in SFUs School of Interactive Arts and Technology (SIAT). <\/p>\n
Technology is enhancingconnectivity in distance relationships in a variety of ways. <\/p>\n
Among them, researchers have designed a pair of interconnected gloves called Flex-N-Feel. When fingers flex in one glove, the actions are transmitted to a remote partner wearing the other. <\/p>\n
The gloves tactile sensors allow the wearer to feel the movements. <\/p>\n
To capture the flex actions, the sensors are attached to a microcontroller. The sensors provide a value for each bend, and are transmitted to the feel glove using a WiFi module. <\/p>\n
The sensors are also placed strategically on the palm side of the fingers in order to better feel the touch. A soft-switch on both gloves also allows either partner to initiate the touch. <\/p>\n
Users can make intimate gestures such as touching the face, holding hands, and giving a hug, said Neustaedter. The act of bending or flexing ones finger is a gentle and subtle way to mimic touch. <\/p>\n
The gloves are currently a prototype and testing continues. While one set of gloves enables one-way remote touch between partners, Neustaedter says a second set could allow both to share touches at the same time. <\/p>\n
Other projects also focus on shared experiences, including a virtual reality video conferencing system that lets one see through the eyes of a remote partner, and another that enables users to video-stream a remote partners activities to a long-distance partner at home (called Be With Me). <\/p>\n
Meanwhile the researchers are also studying how next-generation telepresence robots can help unite couples and participate in activities together. <\/p>\n
In this case, investigators have embedded a robot, designed by Suitable Technologies, into several Vancouver homes. There, it connects to countries around the world, including India and Singapore. <\/p>\n
Researchers continue to monitor how the robot is used. One long-distance couple planned a Valentines Day date while one partner is in Vancouver, and the other, on Vancouver Island. <\/p>\n
The focus here is providing that connection, and in this case, a kind of physical body, said Neustaedter, who has designed and built eight next-generation telepresence systems for families. <\/p>\n
Neustaedter has spent more than a decade studying workplace collaborations over distance, including telepresence attendance at international conferences. <\/p>\n
Long-distance relationships are more common today, but distance dont have to mean missing out on having a physical presence and sharing space, he said.If people cant physically be together, were hoping to create the next best technological solutions. <\/p>\n
Source: Simon Fraser University <\/p>\n
APA Reference Nauert PhD, R. (2017). New Technology Can Aid Long-Distance Relationships. Psych Central. Retrieved on February 15, 2017, from https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/news\/2017\/02\/15\/new-technology-can-aid-long-distance-realtionships\/116469.html<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read the original: <\/p>\n New Technology Can Aid Long-Distance Relationships - PsychCentral.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Canadian researchers are using new technology to enhance relationship satisfaction when couples confront geographic barriers. Devices being developed at Simon Fraser University (SFU) allow couples to remotely share a walk, watch movies together, and even give each other a massage. Continue reading