It has been shown in this blog, as well as other studies, that haptics communication is in many areas of our lives. Touch begins at birth, and continues throughout our lives until we die.
In 2004, the reach of haptics extended to instant messaging. In a paper written by the Designed Intelligence Group/Department of Industrial Design/ at Eindhoven University of Techology, in the Netherlands, a Haptic Instant Messaging (HIM) framework was introduced. This HIM framework combines haptic effects, and hapticons with communication of textual messages. In the paper, it was written that, "compared to vision and hearing, haptic information is the most direct and intimate manner of person-to-person interaction". (p. 1313)
During the same project, there was a special instant messaging application that provides opportunities for haptic communication by providing users a way to send messages enhanced with haptic effects. There was an application developed by the MIT Palpable Machines Research Group called ContactIM application. A user can pick a partner to communicate with from their contacts list, and throw a ball onto the other ones screen. This ball will continue to bounce around until the recipient responds. Haptic effects, such as feedback joysticks, are added to the ball, and as a result, you can feel the forces when you catch, throw, or swing the ball.
Last, hapticons can be used. Hapticons are small, programmed force patterns that are used to communicate a basic notion. This is similar to the ordinary icons that you see in any graphical user interface. The University of British Columbia has participated in research in the design, and usability of hapticons.
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