Kissing machine for far-off lovers

A Beijing start-up inspired by lockdowns offers a long-distance kissing machine. It transmits users' kiss data collected through motion sensors in silicon lips, which move simultaneously when replaying kisses received.

The MUA - named for the sound people make when blowing a kiss - also captures and replays sound and warms up slightly during kissing, says the firm Siweifushe.

The device resembles a mobile stand with realistic pursed lips protruding from the front. To use it lovers download an app to a phone and pair their kissing machines, which they plug into the phone charging port. And when they kiss it the lips kiss back.

The idea came from lockdowns during the Covid pandemic when authorities forbade people to leave their homes for months on end.

"I was in a relationship, but I couldn't meet my girlfriend due to lockdowns," says inventor Zhao Jianbo.

He was a student at the Beijing Film Academy, and he focused his graduate project on the lack of physical intimacy in video calls. He later set up Siweifushe, which has now released MUA, priced at 260 yuan (HK$299). It sold over 3,000 machines within a couple of weeks and received orders for 20,000.

It has received mixed reviews. Among complaints is its lack of tongue.