jelly-like companion trutru changes skin, temperature and personalities when users touch it

"A device created by JUE Design and Research Studio in collaboration with the Intelligent Human-Machine Mechanical Interface Lab at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the gadget is designed to work as a personal companion that interacts with its owner through touch. It uses haptics to produce physical sensations that feel like contact with different materials and movements. The concept object has a soft, rounded body made from translucent material, and its surface diffuses light that can show different brightness levels."

"The body houses sensors, temperature regulators, vibration modules, and a surface control system that adjusts texture and friction. These parts work together to create touch sensations such as softness, roughness, warmth, or rhythm. The outer shell contains layers that can slightly expand or contract to produce physical movement and temperature change. The concept jelly-like companion TruTru uses sensors and actuators to recreate textures found in nature and control vibration, temperature, and skin changes that imitate real materials such as wood, sand, stone, or fabric."

TruTru is a jelly-like tactile companion with a soft, translucent body that diffuses light and houses sensors, temperature regulators, vibration modules, and a surface control system. Its surface can adjust texture and friction and contains layers that expand or contract to create movement and temperature change. Micro-heaters, piezoelectric actuators, and friction pads enable rapid state changes and simulation of natural textures such as wood, sand, stone, or fabric. The device reproduces movements like rain, water ripples, wind, and heartbeat and offers three preset modes—Companion, Meditation, and Sleep—designed to foster emotional connection and well-being through touch.

Read at designboom | architecture & design magazine