Infosthetics.com recently posted an article about interactive pillows (above) designed by the Interactive Institute in Sweeden which are used to enhance long distance communication. The Interactive Institute:

is an experimental IT-research institute which creates results through combining art, design and technology. The institute consists of different research groups, which we call studios. Each studio has a unique orientation, where the fundamental idea is that a mix of different disciplines will create new results and new ways of working. Examples of orientations are: games, sound, energy, interactive film, youth culture and learning.

Our researchers develop innovative ideas and prototypes, from art installations and new games to democratic tools and means of assistance for disabled people. Our results affect all parts of society; industry, academy, politics and the public – and through this peoples everyday life.

It seems the idea of using a pillow as a intimate communication has been used time and time again. I can recall two particular examples, Herenorthere.org’s Pillow (above) which was showcased at Tomorrow’s World Live Event in 2001 and the Relational Pillow from the Media Lab at MIT (date unknown). This is not to play down the innovative aspect that the Interactive Institute emphasise in their statement but to highlight that pillows may be prime examples of pervasive ubiquitous computing (albeit in its very nascent form) since they appear to crop up again and again. Is this a result of the form of interaction we as users employ pillows for or a result of anticipated demand, who knows. Clearly progression can be seen here from Herenotthere.org’s early example to Interactive Institute’s recent example in terms of comfort alone (of great importance for a pillow) and recent improvements at integrating circuitry into material.