Co-designing a Tangible Communication Device to Enrich Communication over Distance

The initial phase of innovative product design is marked by uncertainty and complexity. This paper examines the use of participatory workshops to navigate this phase within the ToCaro research project. The project aims to develop tactile and multisensory interfaces for remote communication to mitigate feelings of loneliness by promoting a sense of physical proximity. Fourteen co-design workshops were conducted with senior participants (age  ≥  65) to examine their communication behaviors, identify latent needs and evaluate physical sensations elicited by various materials and forms of interaction. The workshops included semi-structured interviews, sensory perception tests, interaction concept evaluations, and “quick-and-dirty” prototyping. This paper outlines the facilitators’ experiences, the challenges, and learnings. Results indicate that while participants exhibited varied levels of engagement, those with a perceived need for new communication devices contributed effectively to the creative process.