Expression of Existence Supporting Sharing Interspatial Distance-“Maai”: Development of Roving Object Integrating Partner’s Shadow and Video Image

Abstract

In conventional telecommunications, it is difficult to support sharing of interspatial distance (“maai” in Japanese) because conventional information technology (IT) exchanges explicit information, separated from an individual’s embodiment and unable to express the individual’s existence. To solve this problem, we propose sending a remote partner’s shadow and developed the Waseda Shadow Communication System (WSCS). Experiments using WSCS showed that mutual embodiment is extended by interaction through mutual shadows and there is possibility that co-existing space is created between the participants in remote places. We studied the expression of existence supports sharing of interspatial distance-“maai” considering that a shadow extends one’s embodiment, and propose combining a shadow, a video image, and substance. We constructed the system and made the prototype object. This would be effective as a tool telling the meaning of bodily expression with a video image etc. from the primary experiments by the developed system and the object made as an experiment.