Touch Me Wear: Getting Physical with Social Networks

Abstract

This project explores possibilities of association between existing social network information and real-world physical interaction. These possibilities are explored through the integration of wearables technology with mobile social network technology. We use the term "mobile social networking" to refer to those advanced interactions which integrate complex real world actions with online social network information. This project focuses particularly on the physical aspects of mobile social networks as basic as human touch. Touch Me wear is able to associate social network identities with real world physical contact and in turn advertise that information online or use it real-time within the physical world. As a proof of concept, the Touch Me wear application was implemented. Touch Me wear changes the color of one's shirt depending on who they have hugged. Also the details of who was hugged and when are advertised on the user's social network profile. One can imagine many other interesting uses for this technology. The possibilities and implications of this technology are discussed.