Los Angeles-based artist Lucy McRae has created a machine she calls the Compression Carpet, which offers a hug to a person craving intimacy.
McRae, who refers to herself as a body architect, imagines a future where the growing influx of technology starts to have a big impact on people's mental wellbeing.
She wonders whether mechanical touch, rather than physical contact with other humans, will become the solution.

Her Compression Carpet is a machine that offers its user a full-body embrace, by sandwiching them between cushions.
"We're moving towards a touch crisis where we're inundated with technology, to the point of anxiety," said McRae. Her question is: "In the future, will technology vie for our affection because of our obsession with digital""
The machine is coloured with pink and brown tones, reminiscent of skin tones, which emphasise the illusion of human touch.
To use the device, you simply lie down inside it. Another person ? likely a stranger ? will then turn a handle, which causes the machine to slowly close up around you.
This other person has full control over the firmness of the hug. McRae describes the experience as being "lulled to surrender".

Compression Carpet was unveiled at Festival of the Impossible, a San Francisco exhibition that explored the future relationship between humans and machines. Guests were invited to try the machine out for themselves.
"Most left with a glazed look in their eyes, after a few min...