TruTru’s advanced interface is capable of replicating the textures of natural materials like stone, wood, sand, feather, shell, etc., as well as familiar man-made surfaces such as fabric, rubber, ceramic, etc. Beyond static textures, it can also go further to simulate fleeting and shifting sensations, like the ripple of water, the patter of rain, the swish of wind, the flutter of butterfly wings, or the gentle rhythm of shifting pulses. These tactile sensations are made possible through precise modulation of friction, temperature, and other key haptic parameters -  pinpointed to emulate the dynamics of real-world tactile perception, allowing TruTru to convey an exceptional degree of realism and responsiveness.

TruTru’s soft, rounded body feels at once familiar and otherworldly. It is like a small, sentient being intuitively designed to be held, touched, and kept close. Its translucent, jelly-like surface subtly diffuses light and gently catches the eye, inviting interaction through both sight and feel. TruTru’s modular arms allow it to adapt to different contexts and modes of wear. It can be clipped to a bag, worn across the body, carried in hand, etc.—adapting with ease to movement and transition, and allowing TruTru to flow with the rhythms of daily life. Always close. Always within reach.

TruTru supports a wide range of everyday scenarios through emotionally attuned tactile interaction. It can be:

• A lovable friend that offers not just haptic sesations, but emotional companionship in users’ everyday life. 
  
• A mindfulness guide, gently guiding users back to the present moment through tactile cues.
  
• A tactile meditation tool designed to support focus and awareness during meditation practice.
  
• A calming influence during moments of stress, helping ease anxiety and bring emotional balance with quiet immediacy.
  
• A sleep companion that encourages deep relaxation and smoother transitions into rest.
  

Beyond everyday use, TruTru also holds promise in therapeutic settings. It can be:

• A gentle aid for tactile-based recovery and emotional regulation in clinical or rehabilitation environments.
  
• A supportive tool in psychotherapy or counseling contexts, where touch-based interactionis often used to help clients self-regulate, externalize emotion, or find grounding during emotionally intense sessions.
  
• A supportive companion for individuals living with anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, Autism, Alzheimer’s, or dementia—providing tactile grounding to ease symptoms in daily life. (While its clinical applications remain under exploration, early feedback suggests strong potential.)

TruTru’s advanced interface is capable of replicating the textures of natural materials like stone, wood, sand, feather, shell, etc., as well as familiar man-made surfaces such as fabric, rubber, ceramic, etc. Beyond static textures, it can also go further to simulate fleeting and shifting sensations, like the ripple of water, the patter of rain, the swish of wind, the flutter of butterfly wings, or the gentle rhythm of shifting pulses. These tactile sensations are made possible through precise modulation of friction, temperature, and other key haptic parameters -  pinpointed to emulate the dynamics of real-world tactile perception, allowing TruTru to convey an exceptional degree of realism and responsiveness. 

TruTru’s soft, rounded body feels at once familiar and otherworldly. It is like a small, sentient being intuitively designed to be held, touched, and kept close. Its translucent, jelly-like surface subtly diffuses light and gently catches the eye, inviting interaction through both sight and feel. TruTru’s modular arms allow it to adapt to different contexts and modes of wear. It can be clipped to a bag, worn across the body, carried in hand, etc.—adapting with ease to movement and transition, and allowing TruTru to flow with the rhythms of daily life. Always close. Always within reach.

In this mode, TruTru behaves like a small, sentient being—imbued with its own character and rhythm. Sensitive to nearby presence, it emits a soft glow at intervals—an open invitation for touch, like a living being reaching out for connection. As a hand or body approaches, tits glow subtly shifts and intensifies as if stirred by anticipation.  When touched, it initiates playful, varied tactile sensations - chosen by its own mood, personality and memory of past interactions - drawing users into a spontaneous tactile dialogue. Users can also initiate a tactile conversation with a gentle double tap—prompting TruTru to reveal new tactile expressions in response. If desired, users can personalize the timing of the interaction cues and adjust the spectrum of sensations to match their own needs.

In this mode, TruTru behaves like a small, sentient being—imbued with its own character and rhythm. Sensitive to nearby presence, it emits a soft glow at intervals—an open invitation for touch, like a living being reaching out for connection. As a hand or body approaches, tits glow subtly shifts and intensifies as if stirred by anticipation.  When touched, it initiates playful, varied tactile sensations - chosen by its own mood, personality and memory of past interactions - drawing users into a spontaneous tactile dialogue. Users can also initiate a tactile conversation with a gentle double tap—prompting TruTru to reveal new tactile expressions in response. If desired, users can personalize the timing of the interaction cues and adjust the spectrum of sensations to match their own needs.

Moreover, its interchangeable strap system makes it easy to bring TruTru into a variety of meditation settings. From a quiet corner at home to a forest trail, TruTru adapts effortlessly—turning any environment into a tactile space for mindfulness practice, supporting embodied presence in stillness, in motion, and in between.

Sleep Mode is designed to support the body’s natural transition into rest. Falling asleep is not a switch—it’s a gradual withdraw. TruTru guides this descent through slow, low-frequency tactile sequences that echo rhythms found in the body, such as breath and resting heart rate. These patterns help downregulate the nervous system, inviting a state of calm and readiness for sleep.

In this mode, TruTru’s thermal feedback is maintained between 33°C and 35°C—temperatures known to relax the body without overstimulation. To protect the sleep environment, ChuChu’s light feedback fades to near-invisible—or can be turned off entirely— minimizing disturbance during rest.

Beyond its three default modes, TruTru allows users to create customized modes tailored to individual needs and environments. For instance, a Kid Mode can introduce more animated haptic patterns, increased responsiveness, and playful light cues - transforming TruTru into an engaging companion tuned to a child’s world.

Alternatively, a Soothing Mode can be configured for moments of emotional intensity or daily stress. Whether calming nerves before a presentation, steadying the mind during anxiety, or offering relief in a crowded commute, TruTru becomes an intuitive emotional anchor. Users can curate tactile sequences that resonate most deeply with their personal sense of calm—enabling ChuChu to deliver immediate support.

TruTru’s emotional adaptability extends into the way it is operated.
Designed for embodied and instinctive use, ChuChu engages users through direct, physical gestures—making interaction feel more like relating to a living being than controlling a device. While a supporting app exists for optional setup, customization or fine-tuning, the primary experience unfolds through physical engagement.

A double tap activates tactile feedback within the current mode, while a second tap prompts TruTru to explore new textures or rhythms. To switch modes, users simply give ChuChu a gentle shake. ChuChu is also attuned to user proximity - if it senses that no one has been nearby for an extended period, it settles into a dormant state. A soft shake of its body brings it back to awareness, reawakening the tactile relationship.

By prioritizing gesture-based interaction over screens, TruTru reinforces a tactile-first design philosophy—making intuitive touch the foundation for connection and expression.

While gesture-based interaction remains central, the companion mobile app offers a convenient, optional layer of control and customization. Users can adjust default modes, create personalized ones, and choreograph how sequences unfold—tweaking rhythm, transitions, and delivery style. They can also upload their own custom textures, modify light feedback, and define how TruTru initiates or responds—shaping its behavior to feel personally attuned.

Though feature-rich, the app stays at the periphery—serving as a quiet enabler that enhances personalization without disrupting the tactile-first philosophy at the heart of TruTru.

TruTru’s arm is fully interchangeable, allowing users to switch between different lengths and attachment styles with ease. A set of refined, wearable straps - designed by JUE - enables TruTru to be worn, clipped, or carried in various ways, adapting fluidly to everyday movement.

TruTru is more than just a product—it’s a family. 

Within the family are distinct characters, each shaped by its own tactile personality. Huu TruTru is mischievous and spontaneous, offering playful, unexpected sensations in Companion Mode. Wuu TruTru, quieter and more introspective, responds with a shy, gentle tremble when tapped. Shu TruTru, the sociable one, is eager to connect — loving to offer subtle light signals to invite interaction. Muu TruTru, with its calm and relaxed nature, maintains a balanced presence across all modes.

These personalities are expressed through nuanced design choices. Each character’s default haptic behavior, gesture responses, and light patterns vary—shaping how they interact and communicate. These subtle differences give each TruTru a unique emotional presence.

For deeper personalization, the companion app allows users to customize each character’s traits—from response style to tactile rhythm - shaping each TruTru to feel genuinely special and deeply in tune with its user.

As the collaboration between JUE and the IHMMI Lab continues, the TruTru family is set to grow—expanding beyond its original members to encompass a broader range of personalities, forms, and tactile expressions. Each new character will introduce subtle variations in interaction and behavior, enriching the emotional landscape of the collection, and enabling TruTru to adapt to an even wider range of future contexts—from therapeutic settings to learning, creativity, and beyond.