Hangsters: tangible peripheral interactive avatars for instant messaging

ABSTRACT

We propose a system for both the customisation and the physical representation of instant messaging contacts as hanging tangible avatars which have been outfitted with a personalized skin and set of interactions. Hangsters create an ambient display of a user's online contacts which is simultaneously peripheral and interactive. The user creates a representation of herself in an online avatar creator. The personalised skin is packaged around a standard modular electronic kit and mailed to the recipient. The Hangster then embodies the interactions that would otherwise take place onscreen: on/offline presence and accepting/initializing conversations. The system allows for a more ambient display of a user's contacts while introducing customisable modular electronic toolkits for the tangible avatars.

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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)

Keywords:
instant messaging, personalization, social grouping, tangible interaction