Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Give Me A Kiss

[ed.  I don't know...this seems strangely disturbing for some reason.]

Of Course Japan Would Pioneer the Kissing Controller

Not content with cruder simulations of physical affection like the love pillow or mousepads with soft, wrist-comforting cleavage, researchers at Tokyo's Kajimoto Laboratory at the University of Electro-Communications have developed a kissing transmitter that aims to deliver the sensation of making out with someone over the internet.

Or, at least, making out with the business end of a hamster water bottle. Close enough!

Kajimoto Laboratory researcher Nobuhiro Takahashi demonstrates the device for DigInfo News, explaining that the PC controller currently works with a single computer but could effectively be networked to allow for online tonsil-hockey. The lab specializes in researching tactile feedback technology, including a vest that simulates the feeling of hugging oneself.

"The elements of a kiss include the sense of taste, the manner of breathing, and the moistness of the tongue," Takahashi explains. "If we can recreate all of those I think it will be a really powerful device." And how. Attach this to a PC release of Konami's Love Plus dating sim and they'd fly off the shelves.

Of course, we've already seen kissing control innovation in video games, but an online ready controller that services the lonelier gamer in their times of frenching need seems like an exciting step forward for science.

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