Experimenting with wearable technology has recently become a budding trend. I have been completely oblivious to this notion, but after coming across a project called the “Like-A-Hug” vest, i’ve discovered that this has not been the first attempt at integrating technology into something more physical. Ok, so let me explain. The Like-A-Hug vest is a project by Mellisa Chow, which inflates to create the sensation of a hug when someone “likes” something on your Facebook. Ideally, both users on either end would wear this inflatable vest. When a person receives a like their vest inflates simulating a bear hug from their friend. In order to return the hug, all that needs to be done is the recipient must squeeze their vest thereby deflating it, which consequently inflates the vest of the “liker.” I know you must be feeling a little weirded out right now, I know I was upon discovery, but this is just the beginning  of how social media may start to get real personal…literally!

The project was initially conceptualized after thinking about long distance relationships and the limitations of video chat. With that in mind, I can kind of make sense of the direction they’re going in and its almost excites me to think of all the possibilities, but at the same time i’m still left a little unsure.

This project, alongside other initiatives such as the Google Glass Project and Smartphone Watches may be the future of social media and technology in general. After all, people are always looking for new ways to stay connected and to create a more personal experience. As of now, this is still a bit far stretched as something people would actually adopt, but I guess only time will tell.

This is supposed to feel like a hug…