​PhD researcher Helen Payne and the Somabotics Soft Robotics team have developed the Hug Chair, an soft robotic textile system designed to support interactions between caregivers and infants.

The Hug Chair enables a unique three-way connection between caregiver, infant, and soft robot. In a study involving 28 caregiver-infant dyads, a four-chamber pneumatic cushion provided gentle tactile stimulation to the infant while allowing caregivers to feel the same movements beneath their hands.

Findings indicate that the system supported safe, calming, and enjoyable interactions. Many infants appeared settled during use, with some feeding and several falling asleep. These results highlight the potential of soft robotic textiles to create shared embodied care experiences.