A scarf that whispers personal messages to you as you wrap it around your neck will be among exhibits at a major conference held in the Highlands this week, Thursday 11 May.

Around 400 people will attend The Digital Future' conference organised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to showcase business tools, healthcare aids and personal toys we are likely to be using over the coming decades.

The event is a chance for HIE to demonstrate products being developed through its association with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). By sponsoring research fellows at the institute, HIE aims to provide Highland and Islands businesses with access to the most up-to-date technology and thinking in the world.

Children will be invited to test-drive new technology games such as Breakout for Two in which two distant opponents can have a physical football match from the comfort of their own homes. Participants throw or kick a real ball at a wall to break through a projection of virtual 'blocks' that partially obscure a live video image of the other player.

Healthcare professionals will be examining a prototype teddy bear whose 'skin' comprises packed temperature, electrical and force sensors. The Huggable can respond to touch and voice, recognise its owner when he or she approaches and nuzzle in for a cuddle. It is anticipated the Huggable will be used in nursing homes and hospitals where the friendly companion will be able to monitor and record the patient's activity.

For would-be composers who have no musical training, there will be a software tool designed to allow operators to 'draw' a manuscript for complex tunes, and a camera which records ambient sound just before and just after the photograph is taken.

Walter Bender, president of One Laptop per Child, will speak about the campaign to produce a robust, wind-up computer for $100 to be distributed, through sponsorship, to some of the world's poorest children enabling them to communicate across the globe.

The exhibition will conclude with a fashion show featuring creative and digital designs from MIT and Highlands and Islands designers. Worn on the catwalk will be a snowy-white scarf called the whiSpiral which contains short audio messages recorded by friends or loved ones which are murmured to the wearer when the scarf detects a soft caress or wrapping movement.

"This conference gives everyone a glimpse of their own future," notes Calum Davidson, Head of Knowledge Economy with HIE. "For when you are old or young a there is a Teddy bear that is both a pet and a robotic companion, for when you are a tourist or a artist, a cameras that captures the moment, not just a picture, and for when you want to play, there is video game with real balls and real opponents, who can be in Barra or Boston.

The conference starts at 10am to 7pm on Thursday 11 May at the Aviemore Highland Resort.