Between Us
Background
In today’s globalized and increasingly mobile world, long-distance romantic relationships (LDRRs) have become an everyday reality for many couples. According to the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS, 2023), over 17% of couples report living apart due to work, education, or immigration-related circumstances. While often seen as a modern test of love and technology, LDRRs carry a persistent emotional burden: the absence of physical presence and the erosion of non-verbal emotional intimacy.
Traditional digital tools—messaging apps, video calls, and social media—offer immediacy but fail to replicate the subtle physical cues that convey emotional depth: a hug, a shared breath, the rhythm of a heartbeat. These seemingly small cues are essential to sustaining a sense of closeness, trust, and psychological security in a relationship. When they are missing, emotional misunderstanding, misalignment, or even emotional withdrawal can occur silently and frequently.
Studies reveal that 40% of long-distance couples eventually break up, with communication breakdown cited as a major cause (ForwardPathway, 2024). The root issue lies not in a lack of willingness to communicate—but in the limitations of current digital channels to deliver embodied emotional signals.
Traditional digital tools—messaging apps, video calls, and social media—offer immediacy but fail to replicate the subtle physical cues that convey emotional depth: a hug, a shared breath, the rhythm of a heartbeat. These seemingly small cues are essential to sustaining a sense of closeness, trust, and psychological security in a relationship. When they are missing, emotional misunderstanding, misalignment, or even emotional withdrawal can occur silently and frequently.
Studies reveal that 40% of long-distance couples eventually break up, with communication breakdown cited as a major cause (ForwardPathway, 2024). The root issue lies not in a lack of willingness to communicate—but in the limitations of current digital channels to deliver embodied emotional signals.
Research Motivation
As one interviewee shared during early fieldwork:
“She stopped calling him at night because every time she cried, he just stayed silent.”
This seemingly simple moment captures the deeper truth of many long-distance connections: emotional disconnect isn’t about love fading—it’s about not being felt. Compared to geographically close relationships, LDRRs face distinct challenges:
The lack of physical contact—no hugs or hand-holding—reduces opportunities for real-time emotional soothing. Emotional states are harder to detect and interpret from afar, leading to frequent misunderstandings. Partners may hesitate to express distress, afraid of being perceived as needy or burdensome. Rituals of love (e.g., waking up together, saying goodnight with a hug) are absent, weakening emotional continuity.
The lack of physical contact—no hugs or hand-holding—reduces opportunities for real-time emotional soothing. Emotional states are harder to detect and interpret from afar, leading to frequent misunderstandings. Partners may hesitate to express distress, afraid of being perceived as needy or burdensome. Rituals of love (e.g., waking up together, saying goodnight with a hug) are absent, weakening emotional continuity.
Current emotion-enhancing technologies remain insufficient. Emoji, video calls, or even Apple’s Digital Touch feature—designed to send heartbeats and taps—have been either too generic or too easily abandoned due to lack of nuance, clarity, or embodied connection.
This project is motivated by the hypothesis that many emotional tensions in LDRRs stem from unmet psychological needs that are often non-verbal and physical in nature. The research explores whether a tangible, multi-sensory communication tool could restore some of the warmth, subtlety, and presence missing in long-distance interactions—and whether doing so could meaningfully support emotional connection and relationship resilience.
This project is motivated by the hypothesis that many emotional tensions in LDRRs stem from unmet psychological needs that are often non-verbal and physical in nature. The research explores whether a tangible, multi-sensory communication tool could restore some of the warmth, subtlety, and presence missing in long-distance interactions—and whether doing so could meaningfully support emotional connection and relationship resilience.
Experiment 01
To investigate the correlation between emotional
tates (e.g., anxiety, calmness) and user behavior
during digital interactions, such as typing speed and
pressure
Without prior information, the participants were asked to click on the pressure sensors according to their own state, and after 10-20 s, they were asked about their moods and thoughts at the time of clicking.
Without prior information, the participants were asked to click on the pressure sensors according to their own state, and after 10-20 s, they were asked about their moods and thoughts at the time of clicking.
The clicking pressure and frequency patterns of different emotional states
are significantly different, proving that behavioural patterns can be used as
a basis for mood detection.
By monitoring typing behaviour in real time, it is possible to identify changes
in users' moods more effectively.
are significantly different, proving that behavioural patterns can be used as
a basis for mood detection.
By monitoring typing behaviour in real time, it is possible to identify changes
in users' moods more effectively.
Experiment 02
Sensory Deprivation
Investigate the impact of sensory deprivation (vision,
hearing, touch, smell, taste) on task performance,
emotional response, and compensatory mechanisms.
Provide insights into the role of individual senses in
maintaining task efficiency and emotional stability
Participants completed tasks under five sensory deprivation conditions:
Vision (Visual Deprivation): Blackout eye masks ensured complete darkness.
Hearing (Auditory Deprivation): Noise-canceling headphones blocked all sound.
Touch (Tactile Deprivation): Participants wore thick gloves or interacted with smooth, non-tactile surfaces.
Smell (Olfactory Deprivation): Nose clips or odor-neutralizing agents removed olfactory input.
Taste (Gustatory Deprivation): Participants consumed flavor-neutral substances or wore taste-blocking strips.
Participants completed tasks relevant to the deprived sense:
Object Recognition Tasks: Relying on remaining senses to identify objects.
Emotion Recognition Tasks: Using written or spoken cues to identify emotions.
Sensory-Specific Tasks: Recognizing tastes or smells during olfactory and gustatory deprivation.
Task Completion Time (seconds): Speed of task execution under each condition.
Accuracy and Success Rates (%): Correctness of task performance.
Mood Scores (1-10): Self-reported emotional state.
Compensatory Mechanisms: Observations on how participants relied on remaining senses.
Participants completed tasks under five sensory deprivation conditions:
Vision (Visual Deprivation): Blackout eye masks ensured complete darkness.
Hearing (Auditory Deprivation): Noise-canceling headphones blocked all sound.
Touch (Tactile Deprivation): Participants wore thick gloves or interacted with smooth, non-tactile surfaces.
Smell (Olfactory Deprivation): Nose clips or odor-neutralizing agents removed olfactory input.
Taste (Gustatory Deprivation): Participants consumed flavor-neutral substances or wore taste-blocking strips.
Participants completed tasks relevant to the deprived sense:
Object Recognition Tasks: Relying on remaining senses to identify objects.
Emotion Recognition Tasks: Using written or spoken cues to identify emotions.
Sensory-Specific Tasks: Recognizing tastes or smells during olfactory and gustatory deprivation.
Task Completion Time (seconds): Speed of task execution under each condition.
Accuracy and Success Rates (%): Correctness of task performance.
Mood Scores (1-10): Self-reported emotional state.
Compensatory Mechanisms: Observations on how participants relied on remaining senses.
Vision is the most critical sense, and its stripping has the greatest impact on task performance and emotional stability.
Hearing and touch play important roles in emotional engagement and task completion and are powerful complements to visual feedback.
Smell and taste are potentially valuable in specific scenarios, but have less impact on general tasks.
Multi-sensory design needs to prioritise the optimisation of visual feedback and incorporate tactile and auditory compensation mechanisms to further enhance users' task performance and emotional expression.
Smell and taste are potentially valuable in specific scenarios, but have less impact on general tasks.
Multi-sensory design needs to prioritise the optimisation of visual feedback and incorporate tactile and auditory compensation mechanisms to further enhance users' task performance and emotional expression.
Experiment 03
Exploring the Relationship Between Sensory Modalities and Memory
Memory Task
Objective: To test participants' ability to recall sensory stimuli.
Method: Present eight stimuli (e.g., patterns, sounds, scents, or textures) for 2-3 seconds each. Participants are asked to recall the sequence and details of the stimuli.
Data Recorded: Memory accuracy.
Recognition Task
Objective: To evaluate participants' ability to identify sensory stimuli amidst interference.
Method: Present eight stimuli, each accompanied by three distractors. Participants must select the correct stimulus.
Data Recorded: Recognition accuracy.
Reaction Task
Objective: To measure participants' reaction speed and judgment accuracy.
Method: Randomly present either a target stimulus or a distractor. Participants must quickly determine (by writing "A" for target or "B" for distractor).
Data Recorded: Reaction time and judgment accuracy.
Objective: To test participants' ability to recall sensory stimuli.
Method: Present eight stimuli (e.g., patterns, sounds, scents, or textures) for 2-3 seconds each. Participants are asked to recall the sequence and details of the stimuli.
Data Recorded: Memory accuracy.
Recognition Task
Objective: To evaluate participants' ability to identify sensory stimuli amidst interference.
Method: Present eight stimuli, each accompanied by three distractors. Participants must select the correct stimulus.
Data Recorded: Recognition accuracy.
Reaction Task
Objective: To measure participants' reaction speed and judgment accuracy.
Method: Randomly present either a target stimulus or a distractor. Participants must quickly determine (by writing "A" for target or "B" for distractor).
Data Recorded: Reaction time and judgment accuracy.
Revealed the synergistic potential of visual and tactile modalities and the emotional regulatory roles of auditory and olfactory inputs.
Provides theoretical support for integrating sensory stimuli into emotionally enriched designs.
Provides theoretical support for integrating sensory stimuli into emotionally enriched designs.
Function
The “Between Us” system consists of two identical smart pillows, each used by one partner in a long-distance relationship. Through integrated sensing and feedback modules, these pillows can synchronize physiological rhythms across distances and respond appropriately to users’ emotional states.
Synchronized breathing
Synchronized breathing is one of the most unique and emotionally resonant interactions in the design. Unlike traditional remote feedback systems, this feature can only be activated when both partners are simultaneously hugging their respective pillows. When this mutual engagement is detected, the system enters a “synchronized breathing” mode.
Emotion Recognition and Prompt Function
In long-distance relationships, timely awareness and soothing of a partner’s emotional changes is crucial. The “Between Us” pillow thus incorporates an emotion recognition and fuzzy prompt function: Through built-in physiological sensors, the system continuously monitors the user’s objective state data (such as heart rate, hug intensity, and temperature changes) and compares it to their individual baseline. When the algorithm detects anomalous indicators—for example, a heart rate significantly higher than usual or a sudden increase in the pressure from gripping the pillow—it determines that the user may be in a state of tension, anxiety, or low mood. To avoid disturbing the user and to protect privacy, the pillow does not issue harsh alerts or explicit emotion labels; instead, it employs a “fuzzy prompt” strategy: using subtle sensory signals to convey care and reminders.
Synchronized breathing is one of the most unique and emotionally resonant interactions in the design. Unlike traditional remote feedback systems, this feature can only be activated when both partners are simultaneously hugging their respective pillows. When this mutual engagement is detected, the system enters a “synchronized breathing” mode.
Emotion Recognition and Prompt Function
In long-distance relationships, timely awareness and soothing of a partner’s emotional changes is crucial. The “Between Us” pillow thus incorporates an emotion recognition and fuzzy prompt function: Through built-in physiological sensors, the system continuously monitors the user’s objective state data (such as heart rate, hug intensity, and temperature changes) and compares it to their individual baseline. When the algorithm detects anomalous indicators—for example, a heart rate significantly higher than usual or a sudden increase in the pressure from gripping the pillow—it determines that the user may be in a state of tension, anxiety, or low mood. To avoid disturbing the user and to protect privacy, the pillow does not issue harsh alerts or explicit emotion labels; instead, it employs a “fuzzy prompt” strategy: using subtle sensory signals to convey care and reminders.
Ergonomics
In practical testing, most users could comfortably wrap their arms around the pillow with naturally bent elbows, maintaining a relaxed shoulder and elbow posture without feeling unsupported or unevenly stressed. The weight is controlled within 2 kg, retaining a necessary sense of heft to simulate the presence of “someone in your arms” while avoiding fatigue from prolonged holding. Additionally, this size adapts to various scenarios—whether hugging it while sitting on a sofa or lying on a bed, it conforms to the body’s posture, avoiding discomfort to the legs or feet and ensuring a substantial feel without being too short. Overall, the Between Us pillow achieves a balance of “secure hold,” “long-lasting comfort,” and “natural embrace” in terms of ergonomics, truly serving as a daily companion that meets both physical and emotional needs.
In terms of form, we deliberately avoided overly anthropomorphic designs, steering clear of any shapes mimicking human torsos, limbs, or facial features. This is because hyper-realistic designs can trigger the “uncanny valley” effect, where objects that closely resemble humans but are not quite identical may evoke discomfort or rejection, especially when used at night or during emotionally vulnerable moments. Instead, we opted for an abstract, neutral, streamlined oval shape, resembling a gently polished large pebble—soft yet defined, with no distinct front, back, top, or bottom.
This design language avoids the aesthetic pressure of “looking human” while maintaining inclusivity and approachability, ensuring it appeals to users regardless of gender or age. I further emphasized soft edges and natural transitions in the design—no sharp lines, with contours featuring a subtle “smile curve” for a warm and inviting appearance. Whether for older adults or teenagers, the product instinctively feels “huggable,” “approachable,” and “close” upon first contact, naturally serving as an emotional outlet rather than a cold piece of technology. User feedback confirms this, with many describing the prototype as “a giant healing bean bag” or noting that it feels like an “emotional companion” rather than an electronic product.
This design language avoids the aesthetic pressure of “looking human” while maintaining inclusivity and approachability, ensuring it appeals to users regardless of gender or age. I further emphasized soft edges and natural transitions in the design—no sharp lines, with contours featuring a subtle “smile curve” for a warm and inviting appearance. Whether for older adults or teenagers, the product instinctively feels “huggable,” “approachable,” and “close” upon first contact, naturally serving as an emotional outlet rather than a cold piece of technology. User feedback confirms this, with many describing the prototype as “a giant healing bean bag” or noting that it feels like an “emotional companion” rather than an electronic product.
CMF
I prioritise a balance of tactile comfort, safety, environmental impact, and functional support. The outer cover is high-count pure-cotton knit—soft, skin-friendly, and highly breathable—with a hidden base zipper for easy machine washing. The fill is high-quality cotton that’s light yet lofty, giving a substantial “hug” while dissipating heat better than foam for comfortable bedtime or overnight use.
To protect internal electronics, I use a modular suspension: sensors, circuit boards, air bladders, and other parts are individually cushioned in soft silicone and foam, with buffer cavities so no hard structures are felt and compression remains comfortable. All skin-contact materials comply with RoHS and flame-retardancy standards.
Looking ahead, I plan to incorporate smart textiles—conductive fibres for touch/pressure sensing, washable modules with flexible circuits so the whole pillow can be laundered, and shape-memory-alloy threads for quieter, near-silent breathing motion. As these mature, the Between Us pillow will become lighter, more integrated, and closer to a true “warm textile.” For now, it already delivers comfort and practicality, and I’ll keep exploring materials to drive future upgrades.
To protect internal electronics, I use a modular suspension: sensors, circuit boards, air bladders, and other parts are individually cushioned in soft silicone and foam, with buffer cavities so no hard structures are felt and compression remains comfortable. All skin-contact materials comply with RoHS and flame-retardancy standards.
Looking ahead, I plan to incorporate smart textiles—conductive fibres for touch/pressure sensing, washable modules with flexible circuits so the whole pillow can be laundered, and shape-memory-alloy threads for quieter, near-silent breathing motion. As these mature, the Between Us pillow will become lighter, more integrated, and closer to a true “warm textile.” For now, it already delivers comfort and practicality, and I’ll keep exploring materials to drive future upgrades.
I want “Between Us” to be more than functional—to slip into daily life without disturbing the user’s emotional rhythm. I therefore chose a Morandi colour palette: low saturation, medium-low brightness, and soft grey undertones that create a calm, non-intrusive presence and keep focus on the tactile, emotional experience.
I deliberately avoid highly saturated fabrics with strong emotional cues. They hijack visual attention and filter light, compromising the built-in lighting and the harmony between light effects and emotional prompts. My aim is for “Between Us” not to be a visual focal point, but an unobtrusive, quietly comforting companion in everyday settings.
I deliberately avoid highly saturated fabrics with strong emotional cues. They hijack visual attention and filter light, compromising the built-in lighting and the harmony between light effects and emotional prompts. My aim is for “Between Us” not to be a visual focal point, but an unobtrusive, quietly comforting companion in everyday settings.
Demo
The “Between Us” smart emotional pillow integrates sensing technology with human-centered design to create an unprecedented form of remote intimate interaction. In this project, we use the pillow as a carrier, allowing two people in love, even separated by thousands of miles, to feel each other’s presence through the most natural action (hugging); to rebuild the bodily resonance lost in long-distance relationships through synchronized breathing and heartbeat rhythms; and to fill the gap in emotional support behind cold screens with gentle light and vibration prompts. The entire system requires no language or active operation, yet it subtly achieves bidirectional emotional flow. The value of this design is evident: it effectively alleviates the common issues of loneliness and anxiety faced by long-distance couples, providing a **”warm companionship in the digital age.”** In our small-scale user trials, many participants reported that when sleeping with it, “they no longer felt the urge to flip through their phone to chat with someone,” and both sleep quality and sense of security improved. This validates the project’s original intent—to comfort hearts and bridge distances through design and technology.
Looking to the future, the Between Us pillow has vast potential for expansion and development. Functionally, we will gradually incorporate multi-sensory fusion and AI intelligence, evolving it from a passive device into a truly understanding “remote companion.” For example, future versions might allow users to smell their partner’s scent, hear their whispers, or even predict emotions to provide more fitting responses. However, what remains unchanged is our commitment to prioritizing emotional experience; all technological additions will be premised on not disrupting the warm atmosphere, achieving subtle and silent affection.
In terms of target audiences, this design philosophy can also extend to more remote emotional scenarios, such as migrant workers connecting with parents, traveling parents with children, or even emotional companionship for those living alone. We believe that as society places greater emphasis on emotional health and technology advances, products like Between Us will become the new norm, helping countless people separated by distance but united in true love to navigate longing and stay connected day and night.
In summary, the Between Us project explores an innovative path, fusing deep human emotional needs with ingenious interactive design to provide long-distance couples with a solution full of warmth. This is just the beginning; we look forward to continuous refinement and iteration, proving the power of design on a broader stage: even with geographical barriers, as long as hearts are connected, love will always be “between us.”
In terms of target audiences, this design philosophy can also extend to more remote emotional scenarios, such as migrant workers connecting with parents, traveling parents with children, or even emotional companionship for those living alone. We believe that as society places greater emphasis on emotional health and technology advances, products like Between Us will become the new norm, helping countless people separated by distance but united in true love to navigate longing and stay connected day and night.
In summary, the Between Us project explores an innovative path, fusing deep human emotional needs with ingenious interactive design to provide long-distance couples with a solution full of warmth. This is just the beginning; we look forward to continuous refinement and iteration, proving the power of design on a broader stage: even with geographical barriers, as long as hearts are connected, love will always be “between us.”