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

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. Categories and Subject Descriptors H5.2. Information interfaces and presentation (e.g., HCI): User Interfaces. General Terms Design, Human Factors. Keywords Air hockey, connectedness, social interac...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2006
• Where: ACMACE
• Authors: Florian Mueller, Luke Cole, Shannon O'Brien, Wouter Walmink
• Keywords: ACMACE 2006, Compelling Social Game, Physical Shared Space, Social Interaction