As we quarantine, we feeling disconnected with those who we care about most. Span imagined an interface that communicates touch through light, animation, and warmth, allowing loved ones to share an embrace even if they are miles apart. As people touch the sphere, the location, duration, and intensity of the gesture is transmitted to a matching sphere in real time.

Reaching Out of Reach is a digital design research initiative conceived by Span during the COVID-19 pandemic in response to the new socially-distant way of life. As humans, we need to connect. How can we design ways to come together when we have to stay apart?