FULU - Haptic Fingernail for Augmented Reality

Touch the hand of your loved ones, even during social-distancing

Brands

Studio Tada

Designers

Ryo Tada

The event belongs to

Fuorisalone Japan

Art Fashion and jewels Games, toys Product Design Technology

Amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, people around the world are observing social distancing. Unable to embrace our friends and family, we have become ever more reliant on digital messaging and video calls. Now, more than ever, we are actually aware of the profound importance of touch.

However, with new digital technologies, we are now able to stay connected through touch. ‘FULU’ - which means ‘tangible’ in ancient Japanese - allows you to touch the hand of a loved one, stroke the fur of your dog, or feel the waves on a beach, wherever you are in the world.

FULU aims to bring the sense of touch to our everyday digital communication, at a time when this has never been more vital. Light and mobile fingernail-mounted device, FULU brings the organic subtleties of touch to video calls and digital messaging. Easily connected to your mobile device with Bluetooth, you can send and receive touch through voice calls, just using standard voice and video call apps.

Currently, digital experiences are focused on the audio-visual, while other human senses are neglected. Of these other sensory systems, touch is vital for creating trust and empathy. For example, a baby first creates a connection with its mother through a simple touch. Psychologists have proven that people can communicate six emotions via touch alone — anger, fear, disgust, love, gratitude and sympathy. Touch is a fluent language on its own.