Enhancing the sense of togetherness with vibrational feedback in virtual communication

In interpersonal communication, nonverbal cues play a crucial role alongside verbal information. Haptic communication offers an affective dimension crucial for expressing emotions, yet it is notably absent in virtual environments. This absence can lead to drawbacks such as a diminished sense of another person's social presence in virtual settings and a reduced sense of togetherness. To address this gap, our study explores the integration of vibrational feedback during virtual communication specifically within the context of collaborative tasks. In the experiment, participants engaged in a collaborative task with an avatar. Vibrational feedback was transmitted to participants whenever the avatar engaged in actions such as clicking or typing. This feedback aimed to enhance the avatar's presence in virtual communication. Our findings indicate that such vibrational feedback can significantly enhance the sense of togetherness, potentially bridging the gap typically experienced in virtual interactions. These improvements suggest that incorporating haptic feedback into virtual communication platforms may foster a more immersive and emotionally connected experience.