Would you shake hands … over Zoom?
This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science.
Humans are built to connect. But distance can make that hard. Modern-day technology has solved these issues, but something is still missing: touch.
Enter Maya Dunlap and team at Saint Louis University. They introduced HOLD, a wearable glove for handshaking over long distances. It vibrates, squeezes, and stretches skin to mimic real grips.
When people used HOLD, researchers found they felt more connected and built better rapport during conversations. Seventy-eight percent of participants compared the HOLD glove to physical handshakes. Pleased to meet ya!
Now video calls can truly be HANDY. But I’m still keeping my camera off!