Society Shiga matchmaking event to use 'Kokoro Distance Meter'

[thomas]

Shiga-Yui, the Shiga Prefectural Government's online marriage support centre, is organizing a cutting-edge matchmaking event. This event will utilize a novel technology called the "Kokoro Distance Meter" to measure emotional closeness between participants. Developed over three years by a team of students led by Professor Shima Okada, this technology addresses the increased need for tools to assess emotional connection, especially after the pandemic's social distancing measures. By tracking heart rate and physical proximity, the meter can provide insights into the strength of interpersonal relationships.

Photo credit: Ritsumeikan University​

At the matchmaking event planned for 21st December at Ritsumeikan University's Biwako-Kusatsu Campus in Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture, all participants will wear armbands and engage in one-on-one conversations or group activities. During that time, staffers will analyze the data sent to the linked smartphones. According to developers, the empathy level is visually represented by a circle that turns red the more one relates to another person. After data analysis, pairs with the strongest emotional connection are announced on the site. The event will proceed to a session for freewheeling conversation, during which the participants will be encouraged to talk at least once with their recommended partners. [...] At the end of August, there were 1,491 registered members, and the centre helped 2,149 pairs have successful matchmaking sessions. Among them, 36 couples had decided to tie the knot and voluntarily left the platform on 6th November. After its development, Professor Okada and the team experimented with the Kokoro Distance Meter concerning interpersonal relationships among elementary school students. However, after students involved in the development suggested that the technology could also help people find love, the team proposed its use at Shiga-Yui matchmaking events.

Japan matchmaking event to use technology that shows emotional connection level - The Mainichi

OTSU -- A matchmaking event utilizing the latest technology to visualize how people feel about each other is scheduled to be held later this month, an

mainichi.jp

What is the "KOKORO Distance Meter Project"?

About (English) | 心の距離メータProject