When was the last time you were touched? When was the last time you touched someone?

Touch is not only psychologically rewarding, but also emotionally fulfilling. It's not just the act of touching that matters—the quality of the touch is equally important. Materials like plastic or synthetic fabrics are often perceived as cold or unpleasant, while soft, human-like textures evoke more positive reactions.

This insight is central to the concept of the soft robot—an interactive product designed to simulate human contact. A silicone model, for example, can mimic behaviors like breathing by inflating and deflating. As it changes shape, it gently applies pressure to human skin, simulating the sensation of real touch.

The surface of the silicone is carefully designed to resemble human skin. Additionally, it incorporates conductive materials, allowing it to detect and respond to human touch—enhancing the interactive experience and bringing artificial contact closer to the real thing.