Bondi: Designing Tangible and Multimodal Interfaces for Continuing Bonds in Pet Bereavement

Ningchang Xiong; Yanheng Li; Man Chong Chin; Kening Zhu

doi:10.1145/3772318.3791971

Bondi: Designing Tangible and Multimodal Interfaces for Continuing Bonds in Pet Bereavement

Ningchang Xiong (Co-first Author)
, Yanheng Li (Co-first Author)
, Man Chong Chin
, Kening Zhu^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

School of Creative Media

Research output: Chapters, Conference Papers, Creative and Literary Works › RGC 32 - Refereed conference paper (with host publication) › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Pet ownership creates profound human-animal bonds, making pet loss significant. However, compared to human loss, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) has given pet loss less attention. Addressing this, we conducted an exploratory mixed-methods study. The study began with a large-scale survey (N=611) revealing critical challenges: a strong desire to preserve memories but limited support for continuing bonds. Built upon these findings, our participatory design sessions(N=10) co-designed Bondi, a tangible prototype supporting continuing bonds through multimodal and customizable interactions (e.g. touch, sound, and light), evoking pets' unique sounds, tail movements, and lighting effects. We then conducted a three-week field-deployment study with four participants to evaluate how Bondi facilitated the maintenance of bonds with their deceased pets. Results showed that the customization and multimodality evoked vivid recollections, lowering the social barrier for grief sharing. Bondi fostered comforting and non-intrusive connections with pet memories. Furthermore, the study distilled design considerations for future pet bereavement support. © 2026 Copyright held by the owner/author(s).

Original language	English
Title of host publication	CHI '26
Subtitle of host publication	Proceedings of the 2026 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
Editors	Nuria Oliver, David A. Shamma, Heloisa Candello, Pablo Cesar, Pedro Lopes, Alessandro Bozzon, Thomas Kosch, Vera Liao, Xiaojuan Ma, Valentino Artizzu, Fiona Draxler, Gustavo López, Anke V. Reinschluessel, Xin Tong, Phoebe O. Toups Dugas
Publisher	Association for Computing Machinery
Number of pages	17
ISBN (Print)	979-8-4007-2278-3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1145/3772318.3791971
Publication status	Published - 13 Apr 2026
Event	2026 ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2026): Creating Tomorrow Together - Centre de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain Duration: 13 Apr 2026 → 17 Apr 2026 https://chi2026.acm.org/

Publication series

Name	Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings

Conference

Conference	2026 ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2026)
Abbreviated title	CHI'26
Place	Spain
City	Barcelona
Period	13/04/26 → 17/04/26
Internet address	https://chi2026.acm.org/

Funding

This research is partially supported by the Centre for Applied Computing and Interactive Media (ACIM) of School of Creative Media, City University of Hong Kong.

Research Keywords

continuing bond
grief support
Human-Computer Interaction
multimodal interaction
pet bereavement

Publisher's Copyright Statement

This full text is made available under CC-BY 4.0. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Access Output

10.1145/3772318.3791971

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Xiong, N., Li, Y., Chin, M. C., & Zhu, K. (2026). Bondi: Designing Tangible and Multimodal Interfaces for Continuing Bonds in Pet Bereavement. In N. Oliver, D. A. Shamma, H. Candello, P. Cesar, P. Lopes, A. Bozzon, T. Kosch, V. Liao, X. Ma, V. Artizzu, F. Draxler, G. López, A. V. Reinschluessel, X. Tong, & P. O. T. Dugas (Eds.), CHI '26: Proceedings of the 2026 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems Article 1055 (Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings). Association for Computing Machinery. https://doi.org/10.1145/3772318.3791971

Xiong, Ningchang ; Li, Yanheng ; Chin, Man Chong et al. / Bondi : Designing Tangible and Multimodal Interfaces for Continuing Bonds in Pet Bereavement. CHI '26: Proceedings of the 2026 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. editor / Nuria Oliver ; David A. Shamma ; Heloisa Candello ; Pablo Cesar ; Pedro Lopes ; Alessandro Bozzon ; Thomas Kosch ; Vera Liao ; Xiaojuan Ma ; Valentino Artizzu ; Fiona Draxler ; Gustavo López ; Anke V. Reinschluessel ; Xin Tong ; Phoebe O. Toups Dugas. Association for Computing Machinery, 2026. (Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings).

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title = "Bondi: Designing Tangible and Multimodal Interfaces for Continuing Bonds in Pet Bereavement",

abstract = "Pet ownership creates profound human-animal bonds, making pet loss significant. However, compared to human loss, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) has given pet loss less attention. Addressing this, we conducted an exploratory mixed-methods study. The study began with a large-scale survey (N=611) revealing critical challenges: a strong desire to preserve memories but limited support for continuing bonds. Built upon these findings, our participatory design sessions(N=10) co-designed Bondi, a tangible prototype supporting continuing bonds through multimodal and customizable interactions (e.g. touch, sound, and light), evoking pets' unique sounds, tail movements, and lighting effects. We then conducted a three-week field-deployment study with four participants to evaluate how Bondi facilitated the maintenance of bonds with their deceased pets. Results showed that the customization and multimodality evoked vivid recollections, lowering the social barrier for grief sharing. Bondi fostered comforting and non-intrusive connections with pet memories. Furthermore, the study distilled design considerations for future pet bereavement support. {\textcopyright} 2026 Copyright held by the owner/author(s).",

keywords = "continuing bond, grief support, Human-Computer Interaction, multimodal interaction, pet bereavement",

author = "Ningchang Xiong and Yanheng Li and Chin, \{Man Chong\} and Kening Zhu",

year = "2026",

month = apr,

day = "13",

doi = "10.1145/3772318.3791971",

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publisher = "Association for Computing Machinery",

editor = "Nuria Oliver and Shamma, \{David A.\} and Heloisa Candello and Pablo Cesar and Pedro Lopes and Alessandro Bozzon and Thomas Kosch and Liao, \{Vera \} and Ma, \{Xiaojuan \} and Valentino Artizzu and Fiona Draxler and Gustavo L{\'o}pez and Reinschluessel, \{Anke V. \} and Xin Tong and Dugas, \{Phoebe O. Toups\}",

booktitle = "CHI '26",

address = "United States",

note = "2026 ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2026) : Creating Tomorrow Together, CHI'26 ; Conference date: 13-04-2026 Through 17-04-2026",

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}

Xiong, N , Li, Y , Chin, MC & Zhu, K 2026, Bondi: Designing Tangible and Multimodal Interfaces for Continuing Bonds in Pet Bereavement. in N Oliver, DA Shamma, H Candello, P Cesar, P Lopes, A Bozzon, T Kosch, V Liao, X Ma, V Artizzu, F Draxler, G López, AV Reinschluessel, X Tong & POT Dugas (eds), CHI '26: Proceedings of the 2026 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems., 1055, Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings, Association for Computing Machinery, 2026 ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2026), Barcelona, Spain, 13/04/26. https://doi.org/10.1145/3772318.3791971

Bondi: Designing Tangible and Multimodal Interfaces for Continuing Bonds in Pet Bereavement. / Xiong, Ningchang (Co-first Author); Li, Yanheng (Co-first Author); Chin, Man Chong et al.
CHI '26: Proceedings of the 2026 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. ed. / Nuria Oliver; David A. Shamma; Heloisa Candello; Pablo Cesar; Pedro Lopes; Alessandro Bozzon; Thomas Kosch; Vera Liao; Xiaojuan Ma; Valentino Artizzu; Fiona Draxler; Gustavo López; Anke V. Reinschluessel; Xin Tong; Phoebe O. Toups Dugas. Association for Computing Machinery, 2026. 1055 (Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings).

Research output: Chapters, Conference Papers, Creative and Literary Works › RGC 32 - Refereed conference paper (with host publication) › peer-review

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T1 - Bondi

T2 - 2026 ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2026)

AU - Xiong, Ningchang

AU - Li, Yanheng

AU - Chin, Man Chong

AU - Zhu, Kening

PY - 2026/4/13

Y1 - 2026/4/13

N2 - Pet ownership creates profound human-animal bonds, making pet loss significant. However, compared to human loss, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) has given pet loss less attention. Addressing this, we conducted an exploratory mixed-methods study. The study began with a large-scale survey (N=611) revealing critical challenges: a strong desire to preserve memories but limited support for continuing bonds. Built upon these findings, our participatory design sessions(N=10) co-designed Bondi, a tangible prototype supporting continuing bonds through multimodal and customizable interactions (e.g. touch, sound, and light), evoking pets' unique sounds, tail movements, and lighting effects. We then conducted a three-week field-deployment study with four participants to evaluate how Bondi facilitated the maintenance of bonds with their deceased pets. Results showed that the customization and multimodality evoked vivid recollections, lowering the social barrier for grief sharing. Bondi fostered comforting and non-intrusive connections with pet memories. Furthermore, the study distilled design considerations for future pet bereavement support. © 2026 Copyright held by the owner/author(s).

AB - Pet ownership creates profound human-animal bonds, making pet loss significant. However, compared to human loss, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) has given pet loss less attention. Addressing this, we conducted an exploratory mixed-methods study. The study began with a large-scale survey (N=611) revealing critical challenges: a strong desire to preserve memories but limited support for continuing bonds. Built upon these findings, our participatory design sessions(N=10) co-designed Bondi, a tangible prototype supporting continuing bonds through multimodal and customizable interactions (e.g. touch, sound, and light), evoking pets' unique sounds, tail movements, and lighting effects. We then conducted a three-week field-deployment study with four participants to evaluate how Bondi facilitated the maintenance of bonds with their deceased pets. Results showed that the customization and multimodality evoked vivid recollections, lowering the social barrier for grief sharing. Bondi fostered comforting and non-intrusive connections with pet memories. Furthermore, the study distilled design considerations for future pet bereavement support. © 2026 Copyright held by the owner/author(s).

KW - continuing bond

KW - grief support

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DO - 10.1145/3772318.3791971

M3 - RGC 32 - Refereed conference paper (with host publication)

SN - 979-8-4007-2278-3

T3 - Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings

BT - CHI '26

A2 - Oliver, Nuria

A2 - Shamma, David A.

A2 - Candello, Heloisa

A2 - Cesar, Pablo

A2 - Lopes, Pedro

A2 - Bozzon, Alessandro

A2 - Kosch, Thomas

A2 - Liao, Vera

A2 - Ma, Xiaojuan

A2 - Artizzu, Valentino

A2 - Draxler, Fiona

A2 - López, Gustavo

A2 - Reinschluessel, Anke V.

A2 - Tong, Xin

A2 - Dugas, Phoebe O. Toups

PB - Association for Computing Machinery

Y2 - 13 April 2026 through 17 April 2026

ER -

Xiong N , Li Y , Chin MC , Zhu K. Bondi: Designing Tangible and Multimodal Interfaces for Continuing Bonds in Pet Bereavement. In Oliver N, Shamma DA, Candello H, Cesar P, Lopes P, Bozzon A, Kosch T, Liao V, Ma X, Artizzu V, Draxler F, López G, Reinschluessel AV, Tong X, Dugas POT, editors, CHI '26: Proceedings of the 2026 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. Association for Computing Machinery. 2026. 1055. (Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings). doi: 10.1145/3772318.3791971

Bondi: Designing Tangible and Multimodal Interfaces for Continuing Bonds in Pet Bereavement

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Funding

Research Keywords

Publisher's Copyright Statement

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