MAKE: Blog: Epafi touch communicator

Epafi touch communicator

Epafi Wide
Epafi Closeup

These tactile transceivers use conductive fabric and small disk motors to wirelessly share touches upon the wrist -

Epafi is a pair of bracelets built to simulate the common and playful exchange of touch amongst mates, loved ones, or even close friends. Whenever either of the wearers touch the bracelet worn on their wrist, the location, pressure, and movement of the touch is replicated on other wearer's wrist. The bracelets connect each wearer via wireless radio and allow for a form of communication that could be whimsical and fun, as touch often is, or it could grow to be a more intricate form of bodily communication.

fyi - the name "Epafi" derives from the Greek word for touch or contact - Epafi

Update:

Here's a quick interview with Rory Nugent, one of the makers of Epafi, shot by Make:Books editor Brian Jepson.

Related:

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: Patrick on May 13, 2008 at 6:43 PM

casinos

The part of me that loves heist movies thinks that this could be useful in communicating surreptitiously while cheating at poker, etc in a casino.

Posted by: on May 20, 2008 at 9:50 AM

and that was done in 2005:
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/wireless/wireless-friendship-beads-for-kids-038022.php

seems pretty close, no?

Posted by: on May 21, 2008 at 6:18 PM

They seem quite different to me. Epafi transmits touch while the other device is a series of friendship beads.

Also, almost everything has been done before, its just all about how you do and the experience you can create.

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