VibroBod (PDF), developed by Kelly Dobson, Danah Doyd, Wendy Ju, Judith Donath and Hiroshi Ishi from the MIT Media Lab, explores how people can viscerally feel and convey their feelings to others.

The device rests on the lap of each user as they are having personal conversations via phone, chat or IM. It amplifies, via vibration and warmth, moods or tones that may otherwise be lost.

VibroBod’s rubber body contains force-sensitive resistors and microphones, capturing hand position and pressure as well as vocalizations.

The force of a user’s grip produces different pressures on the resistors, which, combined with vocal inputs, affect different frequencies and vibration patterns inducing distinct psychological states. The VibroBod grows warmer with use, and that warmth, combined with the hand holding, body hugging form, gives users the sense of holding and of being held.

Via Pasta & Vinegar.