# Physical Experience-Mimicking Devices RCA Students Debut Two Experiential Devices During COVID-19 By Kalin Ned | Published 2020-05-28 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/experiential-device References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2020/05/27/sandeep-hoonjan-xianzhi-zhang-haptic-phones/) & [youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bC3mS7yOfbY&feature=emb_title) Two very interesting experiential devices are debuted as part of a special project by Sandeep Hoonjan and Xianzhi Zhang—students of the [Royal College of Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-toolkit) in London, UK. Dubbed 'Feel the Conversation,' the emerging designers have developed the gadgets as a means to ease the mental stress of not experiencing genuine human connection over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. The hand-held experiential devices are geared toward allowing people "to physically experience conversations." The two design enhancements can connect to a phone and "translate the user's speech into a series of [simple haptic patterns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hapticlabs)" that derive meaning from intonation and volume. One of the experiential devices is a brush-style silicone feeler, while the other is shaped like a tongue. Image Credit: Dezeen ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.2/10 - Popularity: 93% | Activity: 84% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Bizarre](https://www.trendhunter.com/bizarre) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Haptic Communication Devices:** Opportunity to develop devices that enable physical communication through haptic feedback. - **Experiential Gadgets:** Opportunity to design experiential gadgets that can help ease mental stress during difficult situations. - **Pandemic-inspired Design:** Opportunity for designers to develop innovative products that address the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Consumer Electronics:** Consumer electronics manufacturers can explore the development of haptic communication devices to enhance user experiences. - **Healthcare:** Healthcare providers can potentially use experiential gadgets to help patients cope with mental stress caused by isolation and other factors. - **Design:** The design industry can use the pandemic as an opportunity to create impactful and meaningful products that can help people in various aspects of life. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Responsive Companion Objects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trutru-haptic.md) - [Tactile Bare-Hands Metaverse Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emerge.md) - [At-Home Classroom Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/berrylikejumbo.md) - [Touch-Reactive VR Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/presence-in-bed.md) - [Tactile Smart Home Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/from-design-concept.md) - [Multi-Sensory Education Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vr-education-device.md) - [Emotion-Driven AI Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/memoreel.md) - [Digital Touch Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kisstouch.md) - [Virtual Flavor Simulators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taste-in-virtual.md)