Temperature
Water circulating in a network of pipes below the skin is heated by electrical power derived from sunlight by photovoltaic cells on the surface of the booth. The heating system is driven by pumps and warming elements. The network is a mesh of several small-diamter tubes to ensure even heating.

Pressure Sensing
Arrays of pressure sensors are located on the chest, arms, and back of the hugger. A combination of sensors with various ranges of sensitivity is used to ensure high resolution across a wide composite range.

Movement
Data collected from the cameras concerning the user's facial expressions is used to determine the mood of the user and thus modulate the hugging response along with data concerning the amount of squeeze applied by the user to the hugger. A face-reading algorithm informed by the extensive work of psychologist Paul Ekman regarding human emotions and their manifestations in facial expressions is used to quickly and accurately read the emotional state of an approaching individual.

Motion capture data from humans engaged in the act of hugging is used to impart realistic movement to the arms of the hugger.

Sanitation
The hug booth's sanitary condition monitor watches over the hugger optically and reports to the hugger's caretaker when the hugger is in need of cleaning via a wireless uplink.