Remote “Vibrotactile ” Communication Media Powered by IOWNFure-au Denwa

More Interactive Than a Phone Call

Overview

It has been 125 years since public telephones first appeared in Tokyo in the year 1900. Public telephones helped us convey various stories in public spaces via voice communication. At Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, the Fure-au Denwa exhibit aims to achieve new forms of human communication, such as chance encounters in public spaces and vibrotactile communication between people meeting for the first time.
Fure-au Denwa enables callers to send each other vibrotactile sensations in addition to video and audio, so they can high-five or convey haptic feelings to each other. By connecting this system with IOWN, the next-generation telecommunications infrastructure from NTT, it enables lag-free body-to-body communication to create a future where people can connect naturally.
During the Expo, the High-Five with Fure-au Denwa exhibit will be showcased at the Japan Pavilion and Kansai International Airport, and the Life with Fure-au Denwa exhibit will be showcased at the NTT Pavilion and the Dynamic Equilibrium of Life signature pavilion.

Fure-au Denwa for connecting by high-five
Japan Pavilion ↔ Kansai International Airport

Fure-au Denwa for connecting by high-five enables foreign travelers to Japan who arrive at Kansai International Airport to meet visitors to the Japan Pavilion via Fure-au Denwa. They can exchange greetings in their own languages and touch the round hand marks on both sides of the monitor showing the other person to experience a tactile sensation mimicking the feeling of a high-five.
The addition of tactile sensation enables people meeting for the first time to feel the presence of the other person. This helps encourage travelers from abroad to visit the Expo venue and visitors to the Japan Pavilion to try communicating with travelers from abroad.

Fure-au Denwa for connecting life
　NTT Pavilion ↔ Signature Pavilion ”Dynamic Equilibrium of Life”

Fure-au Denwa for connecting life enables visitors to share tactile sensations by touching tables located in front of the monitors at the NTT Pavilion and the Signature pavilion”Dynamic Equilibrium of Life”.
The NTT Pavilion side also enables the user to send their heartbeat using a stethoscope device.
This creates an experience that emphasizes the flow of life and altruistic connection, or a dynamic equilibrium.

Design

In Fure-au Denwa, the chassis design adopts the green color well known for its use in public telephones and other colors that blend well with the environment of each pavilion.

【Related Links】

• About IOWN： https://www.rd.ntt/e/iown/