TABLE BUDDY
Table Buddy is an interactive table that connects people travelling alone on long-distance coaches, thereby encouraging encounters, conversation and social interaction.
A student project by: Senai Kristos
3rd semester, 2025/2026
Lecturers: Tanja Hakl, Romina Marsico, Prof. Tsunemitsu Tanaka, Tomas Zebis
The issue
People travelling alone on long-distance coaches often spend their journey on their own. Despite being in close proximity, there is hardly any social interaction, as inhibitions, uncertainty or a lack of opportunities prevent conversation. As a result, the journey is often perceived as anonymous, monotonous or lonely.
Idea
The idea behind Table Buddy is to create a shared, accessible meeting place on long-distance coaches that naturally encourages conversation without any pressure or social anxiety. So-called ‘icebreaker’ questions make it easy to strike up a conversation. The aim of the project is not to initiate or steer the exchange, but to provide a clearly recognisable, voluntary framework that makes encounters visible and facilitates them.
Solution
Table Buddy is an interactive table that brings together passengers travelling alone and supports and encourages interaction through playful and communicative features. It breaks down barriers, creates opportunities for conversation and transforms the travel experience.
How does it all work?
Two people sit opposite each other at a table for four. The table reacts when it recognises that two people are sitting opposite each other, greets them and prompts them to introduce themselves. This is followed by icebreaker questions, which help the users gradually get to know each other better.
When the system notices that the two are in the flow of conversation and are no longer really using the cards, it asks if they’d like to play some more games. This breaks down the barrier between the two strangers and is symbolised by the table then being used to its full potential. Previously, the interaction consisted solely of questions answered by tapping.
Disclaimer:
This is a student project combining academic research and creative design, with no commercial intent.
The media used in the project are either licence-free, licensed or subject to academic citation rights. They are used exclusively for academic purposes within the scope of the project and its documentation in text, images and audio.