Staying emotionally connected with loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a trying process for many people around the world as they spend more time apart, so the 'Heartfelt' device is designed to make the process a little easier.
The devices allow users to communicate with loved ones across far distances by reading the person's body temperature and relaying it to the corresponding device. The heart-shaped devices will also pulsate to let users feel as though they are closer to their loved one.
The 'Heartfelt' device is the design work of Gayle Lee and Jessica Vea, and is one of six finalists up for the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2021. The devices identify methods of connecting users over far distances during the ongoing pandemic, but are likely to remain in place in a post-COVID world to keep consumers closer to loved ones.
Heart-Shaped Communication Tools
The 'Heartfelt' Device Enables Users to Send Virtual Hugs
Trend Themes
1. Virtual Hugging Devices - The 'Heartfelt' device is one example of virtual hugging devices that use temperature reading and pulsation to simulate physical presence and connect people over long distances.
2. Emotional Communication Tech - Heart-shaped communication tools like the 'Heartfelt' device demonstrate the potential of technology to facilitate emotional communication beyond traditional means, opening up a new market for emotional tech products.
3. Post-pandemic Emotional Connectivity - As a result of the pandemic, there is now a growing need among consumers for emotional connectivity tools that transcend physical distance, presenting an opportunity for companies to create products designed specifically for long-distance emotional connection post-pandemic.
Industry Implications
1. Consumer Electronics - The success of the 'Heartfelt' device highlights the potential for consumer electronics companies to expand their emotional tech product lines by designing devices that foster emotional connection over long distances.
2. Health and Wellness - The use of temperature reading and pulsation in virtual hugging devices like the 'Heartfelt' device opens up new possibilities for health and wellness products that use similar technology to promote healing and relaxation.
3. Gift and Greeting Cards - The 'Heartfelt' device and other emotional communication tools like it present an opportunity for gift and greeting card companies to expand their offerings by creating products that help people express emotions in a unique and tangible way, creating more memorable and intimate connections between people.