Mutsugoto: New Long Distance Love Relationship Technology

The Mutsugoto project.

Couples in long distant relationships are needed to test out a prototype love technology that allows users to "communicate through the language of touch as expressed on the canvas of the human body."

The long distance love relationship technology involves a specialized computer vision and projection system. Users of Mutsugoto can write or draw on their own bodies while laying in bed. Drawings made by one partner on Mutsugoto are transmitted to and revealed on the body of the remote partner.

The device has been in trial use since 2007. Tomoko Hayashi, Stefan Agamanolis, Ciaran McGrath have been running and devising the Mutsugoto project.

They explain: Each partner lays on their bed and wears a special ring that emits an infrared beacon, visible only to a camera mounted above.

A computer vision system tracks the movement of the ring finger and projects virtual pen strokes on the user's own body. The silhouette of the user is also captured and serves as the "canvas" for this drawing.

The completed drawing is transmitted to the remote site where the same silhouette is projected softly on the bed. After laying in the same position, the distant partner can reveal the drawing by tracing their ring finger around their body.

Special bed linens and curtains were crafted to enhance the mood of this romantic communication environment.

Volunteers will be sought to test the decive at the Edinburgh Arts Festival in Scotland late this year. Distance Lab, who own and operates the Mutsugoto system, hopes to find three couples willing to use Mutsugoto.

See the Mutsugoto in action, video below:


Mutsugoto from Distance Lab on Vimeo.

Via: BBC and Mutsugoto.com