LOVEWEAR: haptic clothing that allows intimate exploration for movement-impaired

Abstract

Abstract Disabled sexuality often faces physical, political, and societal barriers. The lack of inclusivity in the sex toy market does not support an autonomous experience for impaired individuals who can’t operate toys without external assistance. LOVEWEAR is an art-science collaborative project that combines user-centered design principles with soft robotics integrated into textiles. The aim is to offer an autonomous experience through haptic feedback, allowing self-exploration of intimate sensations and sexual pleasure to females with motor impairments. A pillow interface activates an underwear garment: while caressing and touching the pillow, the wearer triggers the underwear’s inflatable inserts actuators. This transdisciplinary project used a mixed-methods research design; the objective is to promote the embedment of technology into everyday garments, to improve the wearer’s quality of life.