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Reach Out and Hug Someone with Hugvie the Robot Pillow Phone

By Baxstar J. Ferguson

May 10, 2012

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The latest haptic creation out of Intelligence Robotics and Communications Laboratory in Japan…

…the Hugvie is a new long-distance hugging device in a body-shaped pillow. The robotic stuffed toy can transmit hugs via cellular signal connected to haptic outputs. Without the expressionless face of the Telenoid – deemed by Singularity Hub as “The Creepiest Telepresence Robot You'll Ever Love” – this plush connective device by the same designer aims for cute rather than creepy, and succeeds.

Image from Video Source: DigInfo News YouTube Channel

The body pillow, which currently retails in Japan for around $60 US at the Vstone Robot Center in Tokyo, is equipped with two vibrators meant to mimic a heartbeat. Connected to a mobile device, they can transmit signals based on the callers voice, allowing the pillow to throb in a variety of ways based on the pitch, volume and tempo of the voice on the other end of the line.

What would you like to feel a long-distance lover say?

Baxstar

Baxstar J. Ferguson is a serial storyteller. Their work, across mediums, is to tell a vivid, meaningful story that comes from the heart and connects authentically and powerfully with the right audience. Baxstar’s work holds so much versatility from journalistic articles and op-eds to creative nonfiction. They also do translation, photography, and illustration.

For a decade now, they’ve worked with Lonely Planet, Esquire, Yahoo! Canada, ravishly, Thrillist, Playboy.com, sharecare, care/of, Avocados from Mexico, Marriott, Scotiabank, and Hearstmade.

Baxstar graduated from the University of Waterloo in 2004 with a degree in Social Development Studies and from Athabasca University in 2014 with a degree in Women’s and Gender Studies.

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