- Taobao
VIVA – A young man from China made technology in the form of a virtual kissing tool for long-distance couples. Through this technology, someone can feel the 'sensation' of kissing by imitating the pressure, movement, and temperature of the user's lips.
With sensors, actuators, and silicone, the tool can mimic the style and movement of the user's lips. Regarding the taste, the tool is also said to be able to transmit the sounds that users make when kissing.
The technology was originally innovated by Jiang Zhongli when he was in a long-distance relationship (LDR) with his girlfriend.
While studying, he admitted that he only connected by telephone with his lover. "That is where the inspiration for this device came from," said the student in Jiangsu Province, East China.
Teknologi ciuman virtual.
- Istimewa
To use it, someone must first download the mobile app and have the tool paired with the lover. Then, connect Kissing Tools with the application and smartphone.
After giving a 'kiss' through Kissing Tools, the device will send a 'sensation' of taste and sound to the device connected to the lover.
This is also considered effective for couples who are on the phone with each other and want to send a more realistic peck.
Kissing Tools are now available on Chinese e-commerce platform Taobao and are priced at 550 Yuan (IDR 1.2 million) for each pair (two devices).
The tool has also been discussed on social media Weibo, a Twitter-like application but specifically for people in the country of the bamboo curtain. Some welcomed the technology, but others were afraid of Kissing Tools.
Some called it 'too vulgar' and feared that it could be misused by minors. Meanwhile, the invention was patented by the Changzhou Vocational Institute of Mechatronics Technology in 2019.
The patent expired in January 2023. As such, Zhongli hopes that someone interested in the device can develop and fix the design.
