CuddleBits: Friendly, Low-cost Furballs that Respond to Touch

Abstract

We present a real-time touch gesture recognition system using a low-cost fabric pressure sensor mounted on a small zoomorphic robot, affectionately called the `CuddleBit'. We explore the relationship between gesture recognition and affect through the lens of human-robot interaction. We demonstrate our real-time gesture recognition system, including both software and hardware, and a haptic display that brings the CuddleBit to life.