In the quest to be able to send even intimate touches over the internet, a Chinese start-up has launched a kissing machine. The pursed silicone lips are supposed to create the illusion that you really feel the kiss of a loved one from a distance. The reactions to Chinese social media range from “funny” to “vulgar” and “scary”.
Beijing creator Zhao Jianbo got the idea when he was separated from his girlfriend during the corona lockdowns, he tells Reuters news agency. Video calling alone became unsatisfactory in the long run. But convincingly conveying something as tender as a kiss using sensors, bits and a robot mouth is not that easy. Comparable attempts from the past therefore failed to fill a gap in the market.
The Mua released this year – pronounced like the sound of a somewhat theatrical packer – is more advanced than its predecessors. You connect the human-looking lips with its plastic holder to your smartphone. If you give a kiss, sensors register the pressure, movements, sounds and temperature. Based on that, a pair of robot lips should be able to mimic something of the kisser’s personal style from a distance.
So far, more than 3,000 have been sold and another 20,000 ordered, Zhao said. The whole thing can be controlled via an app and costs about 35 euros.
The user reviews are rather mixed, Reuters notes. Some buyers speak of an intriguing idea, others are uncomfortable with the faceless robot mouth. Common complaint: the lack of a tongue.
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