Co-Orb: Fostering Remote Workplace Gratitude with IoT Technology

Abstract

While gratitude in the workplace is essential for group well-being and teamwork efficiency, showing gratitude to coworkers becomes difficult under remote work settings, which is prevalent with the ongoing pandemic. Our research revealed that in remote workspaces, people often feel less emotionally touched by the appreciation messages sent by coworkers via text-based communication due to the lack of in-person interaction. In addition, it has become more challenging for coworkers to express their appreciation in a sincere and timely manner. To solve this problem, we designed Co-Orb, an IoT desktop orb that is connected to people’s work communication app and lights up with a customized emoji when a thank-you message is received from co-workers. By creating a multi-sensory experience that brings thank-you messages beyond screens, we aim to make it more enjoyable for users to express and receive appreciation in a remote workplace, thereby promoting better work relationships.