CHINESE STARTUP INVENTS GADGET FOR FAR-APART LOVERS
Intriguing! What's the origin story?
It was inspired by the lockdown at a time when authorities in china would not let resident leave their jianbo, said he had been in a long-distance relationship at the time but could not meet his girlfriend because of the lockdown.
How does it work? Is this too in the metaverse?
No, it's more IRL (In real life) than that. It's an actual machine that transmits user kiss data which is collected through motion sensors, hidden in silicon lips. It looks like a mobile stand with silicone lips sticking out. The startup, Siweifushe, says users have to download an app and pair their machines with it.
What's the person like?
The startup sold more than 3,000 of the machines and got orders for 20,000 according to the founder. It's priced at $38, or about ₹3,000. Reviews in the Chinese online space have been mixed, with one user calling it a warm pacifier' and another saying it doesn't feel real. Some, however, say it can help with long-distance relationships.
Partners might not want it to be too good, either! what's it called?
It's called MUA, like the kissing sound. But it's not the first such remote kissing device, there was one invented in Malaysia in 2016, which had an even more, ahem, interesting name.