Created by Joshua Barnes, the Communication Quilt is an augmented reality comfort blanket developed with the intention of combating symptoms of loneliness in hospitalised children.

An innovative solution to a difficult period for any infant, the Communication Quilt works by assigning each of the 20 patches to a piece of digital communication - videos, images and messages - which can be accessed by image-recognition software using a smart phone or tablet, much like a QR code. This patchwork quilt has the potential to serve two important purposes for isolated children. Providing physical comfort, as well as emotional support through readily accessible personal messages, helping to minimise separation issues.

Winner of a Future Pioneer award from the Design Council, the Communication Quilt has a similar ethos to projects like the Lullaby Factory, as it seeks to make a potentially traumatic period of hospitalisation more palatable for children.