A video call gives us sight. A phone call gives us sound. But what about touch?
That’s the piece that has been missing in digital communication. We can see and hear people anywhere in the world, but the most grounding sense never comes through.
Researchers at the University of Southern California recently showed what’s possible. They built a wearable system consisting of gloves and sleeves with vibration motors that lets people feel gestures in real time. A handshake. A pat on the back. A squeeze on the arm. They tested it with groups of up to sixteen people and the response was consistent. The moment touch was added, the interaction felt warmer, more real, and more connected.
It makes sense. Touch is the first way humans communicate. Long before we learn to talk, we know what it means to be held or comforted. Adding that layer to digital communication doesn’t just make it richer, it makes it human again.
Beyond emojis and Reaction Buttons
Right now the way we show care online is limited. We send a heart emoji. We hit “like.” We drop a quick reaction GIF. These signals are better than nothing, but they don’t land in the body.
Now imagine you’re on a call with a loved one who shares something difficult. Instead of scrambling for words or sending symbols, you reach out. Your wearable translates that into a gentle squeeze they feel on their arm. No emoji required.
That’s the opportunity in haptics. We can move beyond flat signals on a screen and start to deliver presence that people can actually feel.
A New Language of Touch
The language of touch is versatile. It doesn’t have to be dramatic.
- A few short pulses can feel like shared laughter
- A steady vibration can help pace breathing
- A soft warmth can create a sense of reassurance
These patterns are not just “feedback.” They are emotional cues. They give us a way to send closeness, encouragement, or support without words.
Unlike video or audio, touch doesn’t need full attention. It can sit in the background, subtle and ambient, adding depth to the experience without taking it over.
Where This Could Go
The USC project was focused on virtual reality, but the potential is much broader.
- Remote work: Distributed teams could celebrate wins with a shared haptic high five instead of just emojis in Slack
- Healthcare: Telehealth providers could send comforting cues that feel more personal than audio alone
- Education: Students in virtual classrooms could get tactile prompts during exercises, keeping them more engaged
- Everyday life: Couples in long distance relationships could exchange real-time gestures that feel like presence, not just text
Each of these examples brings digital communication closer to the way people naturally connect.
Why This Matters
Most of our communication today is sight and sound. Without touch, it can feel thin.
Adding haptics changes that. It gives us a way to send care, playfulness, or reassurance in a form the body understands. Communication stops being flat and starts feeling real again.
A Step Toward More Human Tech
At Datafeel we believe digital tools should help people feel connected, not just connected to devices. The USC project shows a clear path. Touch is how people know they belong. If our technology can carry that across distance, then digital life can finally feel more human.
