Embodiment of Emotions through Wearable Technology

Due to the huge impact of communication technologies, the meaning of social existence is changing towards the use of electronic devices as extensions of senses. While technology is becoming intimate, reaching farther into user’s lives than ever before, wearable technology has emerged as a new research field where technology is worn to provide a sensory interface. Through the integration of technology and garments, the research aims to discover new ways of creating wearables that provide new avenues for emotional expression and social interaction. Emotional embodiment through Wearable Technology can strengthen social bonds through a paradigm of increased emotional expression, understanding, and trust. To verify this hypothesis, a set of dynamic garments has been built by developing both virtual and real prototypes and performing user tests. This paper addresses to new scenarios of sensing, interacting, and interpreting emotions through Wearable Technology and its’ effects on the user’s perception.Copyright © 2011 by ASME