Airhockey over a distance: a networked physical game to support social interactions

In modern society, people increasingly lack social interaction, even though it is beneficial to professional and personal life. Airhockey Over a Distance aims to work against this trend by recreating the social experience and rapport facilitated by physical, casual game play in a distributed environment. We networked two airhockey tables and augmented them with a videoconference. Concealed mechanics on each table allow for a physical puck to be shot back and forth between the two locations, creating a perceived physical shared space between the participants. The hitting of a fast-moving, tangible puck between the two players creates a compelling social game experience which can support social interactions and contribute to an increased connectedness between people who are physically apart.