Kissenger is a pig-shaped robotic device that transmits kiss sensations over the internet using pressure sensors and actuators, allowing long-distance couples to share physical affection.
This Pig Robot Lets You Kiss Someone Over the Internet
Somewhere in a research lab, scientists looked at the problem of long-distance relationships and thought: what if we made a silicone pig that lets you kiss your partner through the internet? And thus, Kissenger was born.
The name is a portmanteau of "kiss" and "messenger," and the device is exactly as wonderfully weird as it sounds. Developed by researchers at City University London and the Imagineering Institute in Malaysia, Kissenger is designed to transmit the physical sensation of a kiss between two people anywhere in the world.
How Does a Robot Kiss Work?
The device uses an array of pressure sensors embedded in its soft silicone lips. When you kiss the Kissenger, these sensors detect the exact pressure, movement, and duration of your smooch. That data gets sent over the internet to your partner's Kissenger, where actuators recreate the sensation in real-time.
It's not just a simple vibration, either. The system attempts to replicate the actual feel of lips pressing against lips, including the subtle variations in pressure that make each kiss unique.
Why a Pig?
The pig shape wasn't just a random design choice. Researchers wanted something that felt approachable and non-threatening—something you wouldn't feel weird about putting your lips on. The cute, rounded pig face apparently tested well with users who might have been creeped out by a more humanoid design.
There's also a practical element: the pig's snout provides a natural protrusion for the kissing interface, making the interaction feel more intuitive.
The Science of Digital Intimacy
Kissenger is part of a broader field called haptic communication—technology that transmits touch sensations remotely. While video calls let us see loved ones and phone calls let us hear them, physical touch has remained frustratingly out of reach for digital communication.
The research team believes devices like Kissenger could help:
- Long-distance couples maintain physical intimacy
- Parents stay connected with children studying abroad
- Family members bond across time zones
- People in isolated situations feel less alone
Not Just for Romance
While the romantic applications are obvious, researchers have also explored using Kissenger technology for family connections. Imagine grandparents being able to give their grandchildren goodnight kisses from across the country, or deployed military parents staying physically connected with their kids.
The technology has even been tested in therapeutic contexts, where physical affection can play an important role in emotional well-being.
The Future of Touch
Kissenger might seem like a novelty now, but it represents serious research into how we might bridge the physical gap in our increasingly digital relationships. As remote work and global mobility continue to separate loved ones, the demand for technology that transmits touch is only growing.
Is kissing a silicone pig the future of long-distance love? Maybe not exactly. But the technology behind it—sensors that capture physical sensations and actuators that recreate them—is pointing toward a future where "wish you were here" might come with a very literal solution.