Electronics

Frebble simulates holding hands with loved ones over the internet

Frebble simulates holding hands with loved ones over the internet
Frebble is designed to allow people to simulate holding hands over the internet
Frebble is designed to allow people to simulate holding hands over the internet
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Using Frebble to "hold hands" over the internet
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Using Frebble to "hold hands" over the internet
The packing for the Frebble handheld simulation device
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The packing for the Frebble handheld simulation device
Frebble is designed to allow people to simulate holding hands over the internet
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Frebble is designed to allow people to simulate holding hands over the internet
An early prototype of the Frebble
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An early prototype of the Frebble
Frebble and its packaging
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Frebble and its packaging
Frebble allows people to simulate touch from afar
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Frebble allows people to simulate touch from afar
The variety of colors Febble will be offered
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The variety of colors Febble will be offered
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Anyone who's had to spend a long time away from someone they love will know how difficult it can be. Frebble aims to make it a little easier by simulating the holding of hands with the person at the other end of an online video chat.

Frebble looks like a small hook that a user holds in his or her hand while chatting over video with a loved one. The device is able to detect squeezes, and it then puts pressure on the back side of the other person's device, simulating the feeling of holding hands. Of course, nothing can replace actual human contact, but when that's not possible, something like this offers a nice alternative.

Each Frebble features two pressure sensors, two vibrating motors (like those found in video game controllers) to enhance feedback, and what the creator's call a "squeeze bar" that puts the pressure on the back of the hand. It features Bluetooth to connect to a computer wirelessly.

For the time being, Frebble will only work with Google Chrome (v24 or higher) and Firefox (v16 or later). Android and iOS apps are planned for the future, and those should be ready by the time the devices ship.

The Frebble team is seeking funding on Kickstarter to bring its hand-holding device to market. Backers can pledge US$89 for an early bird Frebble and, if all goes according to plan, delivery is estimated to begin in October.

The Kickstarter pitch below provides more information on Frebble.

Source: MyFrebble, Kickstarter

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1 comment
1 comment
StWils
Anyone care to guess how long it takes for someone to try to bring this bit of the Internet of Things to the XXX community?