WASHINGTON 鈥� Long-distance relationships can be challenging, but a new device makes it possible to kiss someone over a smartphone.
鈥� no relationship to former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger 鈥� is in the working prototype stage, said聽Emma Yann Zhang, a doctoral student at th in Malaysia.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a device where you can plug into your phone, and it has an array of force sensors and actuators inside the device that can measure your lip pressure,鈥� Zhang said.
The prototype, made from a 3D printer, includes a holster which holds the phone and an oblong silicone pad.
When exchanging a long-distance kiss, each participant can see the other through Skype video and feel the lip pressure being transmitted by the partner in real-time.
鈥淲e wanted material that is as close or similar to human skin, which is soft and flexible,鈥� said Zhang.
Zhang developed the prototype and accompanying iPhone app for her doctoral research in conjunction with professor Adrian David Cheok, at City University London.
鈥淲e want to make online or digital communication much more intimate,鈥� said Zhang. 鈥淲e can see or hear each other, but we can鈥檛 really touch each other through the internet.鈥�
Zhang said the physical touch is very important for human relationships, especially between lovers, and for parents and children.
鈥淪ome parents want to kiss their children or grandchildren when they鈥檙e not living together with them,鈥� she said.
While interest in the concept has been high, Zhang said there are no current plans to commercialize Kissenger, although she would be open to working with companies willing to collaborate.
The quality of the kiss likely leaves something to be desired — it’s more of a peck on the lips, 聽since there鈥檚 no tongue component.
And while Kissenger already has a sizable 鈥渆www” factor — wait, there鈥檚 more.
鈥淣ow we鈥檙e looking at making the resolution of this device higher, with more sensors and actuators to 聽provide a more realistic kissing sensation,鈥� including your partner鈥檚 scent, said Zhang.
鈥淭he next version we鈥檙e looking at building a kissing robot,鈥� said Zhang. 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be a humanoid robot head, but with interactive lips.鈥�
Ewwwww 聽More to come.
Emma Yann Zhang and Adrian David Cheok demonstrate how Kissenger works:
