Tactilia: Design Shanghai 2025

By leveraging the programmability and compliance of textile-based soft robotics, the pillow provides an augmented haptic experience that supports an autonomous exploration of the body’s sensory responses. The inflatable elements can rhythmically inflate and deflate, mimicking gentle pulses or sustained pressure, thereby stimulating the skin and underlying tissues in ways that encourage emotional and physical intimacy. This approach aligns with the understanding that intimacy involves complex intrapersonal and interpersonal dimensions, including emotional and corporeal connections, where tactile sensation plays a foundational role. Tactilia is part of an ongoing multidisciplinary research that connects textile-based soft robotics and intimacy.
The inflatable system was executed by Zhe Zhang from Airsketch, another success story from our recent graduates. Airsketch https://www.linkedin. com/company/air-sketch/ provided the equipment to prototype welded membranes. Airsketch is a pioneering inflatable design & manufacturing brand that leverages seamlessly integrated hardware and software to enable rapid, digital manufacturing of advanced inflatable structures.