Almost all humans enjoy, even need, an occasional hug.
Today’s invention is a vest which can record a temporal distribution of pressure across its surface, when a wearer is hugged, and then reproduce it later. Such a design might best be built using a form of durable bubble wrap. Each ‘bubble’ could be fitted with a pressure sensor and an independent air feed.
A microcomputer would record the variation in pressure experienced in each cell during the embrace of a particular loved one. This could then be reproduced by raising and lowering the pressure in each bubble to recreate at least the physical sensations of the hugging effect.
The characteristic hugs of several different loved ones could be separately recorded and played back in order to provide appropriate inspiration or reassurance during that tough day at work or during times of emotional turmoil.
