Summary
Remote Presence is an experimental design project that explores how the subtle feeling of human presence can be shared across distance. Sparked by the emotional aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the project asked whether non-verbal, sensory connection, like the quiet comfort of being near someone, could be recreated digitally. Through soma design methods and bodystorming, we investigated what presence feels like in physical space. These insights led to the design of twin artefacts: paired devices that detect human movement and respond with soft light in the other’s home. The prototypes were tested in real households over two weeks, revealing how people formed a shared rhythm through mimicking and simple feedback. The project emphasized organic, ambient interaction over polished technology, focusing on emotional quality rather than efficiency. Remote Presence offers a thoughtful alternative to hyper-connected digital tools, suggesting that sometimes, simply knowing someone is “there” can be enough.
Interaction Design, Research Through Design, Soma Design
Spring 2022, 5 months
Team: Sanna Klefbom, Björn Grauers, Mo Pyttel, Anna Schröder, Elias Monzon
Design challenge
During lockdowns in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, isolation and loneliness were part of everyday life for many. People missed the subtle comfort of just being with someone, sharing space quietly, without the need to talk or interact directly. In this project we wanted to explore if this type of non-verbal, sensory, and emotional presence could be mediated remotely. What does presence feel like, and can we recreate that experience through technology?
Embodied design exploration
We turned to soma design to get in touch with our subjective feelings of presence. In bodystorming exercises we explored what presence felt like by silently sitting, standing, walking with our eyes closed, or simply being aware of each other’s location. These exercises revealed that the feeling of presence is shaped by mirroring, mutual trust, and the ability to imagine the other person’s actions, even without interaction.
Digitally sketching ideas
From these insights, we started to ideate by creating digital sketches with Raspberry Pi. We built a pair of twin artefacts, simple, connected objects that could sense human movement and respond with light when someone was nearby. When a person interacted with one object, its twin would gently glow, signaling their presence to the other person.
Testing and iterating
We tested them in different homes over two weeks. We discovered that presence isn’t about physical interaction in the way we imagined. Instead, small cues like soft, fading light felt natural and meaningful as we knew who triggered it and we could imagine the other person. A shared rhythm emerged: mimicking, responding, simply knowing someone was there. It became clear that identical devices created a shared language, while mismatched sensors broke the connection.
Design outcome
The final prototypes were simple, functional, and quietly expressive. The result was a gentle, ambient communication device that didn’t aim to replace conversation, but offered a new way of feeling close. This project was about exploring how design can support human connection in subtle, embodied ways and it t showed that presence can be felt, even when you're apart.
