Airhockey over a distance: a networked physical game to support social interactions

ABSTRACT

In modern society, people increasingly lack social interaction, even though it is beneficial to professional and personal life. Airhockey Over a Distance aims to work against this trend by recreating the social experience and rapport facilitated by physical, casual game play in a distributed environment. We networked two airhockey tables and augmented them with a videoconference. Concealed mechanics on each table allow for a physical puck to be shot back and forth between the two locations, creating a perceived physical shared space between the participants. The hitting of a fast-moving, tangible puck between the two players creates a compelling social game experience which can support social interactions and contribute to an increased connectedness between people who are physically apart.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors

Keywords:
air hockey, computer-mediated communication, connectedness, exertion interface, physical interface, social interaction, tangible interface, videoconference