TED Radio Hour The skin we're in
24 snips
Aug 8, 2025 
Katherine Kuchenbecker, a leading expert in haptic technology, discusses the evolving role of touch in our digital lives. Lee Thomas, a TV anchor, shares his inspiring journey living with vitiligo and the societal perceptions surrounding it. Materials scientist Anna Maria Coclite reveals her work on artificial skin that mimics human sensations. Writer Kathryn Schulz reflects on how regret intertwines with our identities, adding emotional depth to our understanding of self. Together, they explore the profound connection between skin, technology, and personal experiences.
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Episode notes
Customize Touch Notifications
- Katherine suggests devices could send pats, caresses, or high-fives instead of simple buzzes.
- Users could choose richer haptic signals to convey emotion or alerts.
Haptics Makes Virtual Surgery Real
- Kuchenbecker's team records instrument vibrations and replays them to trainee surgeons.
- Feeling those signals lets trainees operate more precisely and avoid accidental damage.
Touch Is Multi-Dimensional
- Katherine Kuchenbecker notes touch includes location, temperature, and vibrations beyond mere forces.
- She argues current touchscreens miss these dimensions and create a sensory disconnect.
