Thermal signals have been explored in HCI for emotion-elicitation and
enhancing two-person communication, showing that temperature invokes social and
emotional signals in individuals. Yet, extending these findings to group
communication is missing. We investigated how thermal signals can be used to
communicate group affective states in a hybrid meeting scenario to help people
feel connected over a distance. We conducted a lab study (N=20 participants)
and explored wrist-worn thermal feedback to communicate audience emotions. Our
results show that thermal feedback is an effective method of conveying audience
engagement without increasing workload and can help a presenter feel more in
tune with the audience. We outline design implications for real-world wearable
social thermal feedback systems for both virtual and in-person communication
that support group affect communication and social connectedness. Thermal
feedback has the potential to connect people across distances and facilitate
more effective and dynamic communication in multiple contexts.Comment: In IMWUT 202
