FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Umi: Bridging the Gap Between Digital Interactions and Human Touch

Designer Sizhe Huang introduces Umi, a groundbreaking project born from the paradox of connectivity breeding isolation in the digital age. Umi aims to reintegrate sensory experiences into digital communication, fostering emotional connections in a hyper-connected world. The project, which started in January 2022 and finished in June 2022 in Los Angeles, challenges the norm by integrating haptic feedback and sensory materials to create a more authentic and empathetic digital dialogue.

Umi introduces a novel approach to digital communication by blending physical objects, the Pebble and Nest, with an intuitive app. It allows digital expressions to be felt physically, turning virtual messages into real-world interactions through touch and presence. With Umi, distant conversations feel close and personal, offering a unique blend of emotional engagement. The Pebble uses haptic tech for a realistic touch feel, while the Nest has NFC and Bluetooth, linking easily to phones and playing voice messages instantly. The Umi and Apple Watch apps provide a cohesive digital journey, utilizing modern API and machine learning for live, tailored touch and voice exchanges.

Start with the Umi app to personalize your Pebble and Nest, and invite friends to participate. Interactions through Umi are intuitive: a touch on the Pebble sends a signal, creating a physical sensation of touch for the recipient through their device. Voice messages are similarly easy to exchange, with the Nest playing the message upon placement of the phone. This setup enables straightforward, tactile, and auditory communication, enhancing the way users connect from afar.

-END-