SOFT OBJECTS: Prototyping for Tactile Interpersonal Communication

Sensory perception plays a fundamental role in how we interpret and relate to people and our environment. While verbal communication dominates much of our interaction, nonverbal forms, such as haptics, present alternatives for connection. This pictorial investigates the potential of haptic interaction through an iterative prototyping process, culminating in SYMBIONT—a pair of bioinspired soft robotic objects designed for affective tactile communication across distances or in shared spaces. SYMBIONT emerges from three prototypes—HiPalm, EmoLink, and OctoTouch—each exploring different dimensions of tactile expression. The final design enables users to engage in tactile communication through embedded bend and pressure sensors paired with actuators that pulse, vibrate, and curl. The prototyping approach integrates metaphorical frameworks, biomorphic aesthetics, and biomimetic behavior. Methods include sketch-based ideation, annotated portfolios, and Research through Design, all contributing to developing a responsive tactile system. This research explores how such mediums might enhance physical presence and open new possibilities for tactile, bioinspired, and sensory communication systems.