“It's easier to find a hand than a girl”: a new invention of Japanese scientists

Sometimes there is a desire to just feel the warmth of someone's hand, but it is not there. At least human. Scientists at Japan's Gifu University have designed a special motorized hand that men can squeeze when they feel alone. The robot arm is coated with a special soft pliable gel for the most realistic imitation of human skin. When you squeeze it, it contracts in response.

My girlfriend is a robot

Four engineers from Gifu University have created a motorized device that makes its owners a little less lonely. After all, as the developers say, "it's easier to hold a girl's hand than to find a girl."



In its current form, Osampo Kanojo (translated: "my friend for a walk") is a portable device with wires and a path that can create the feeling and even smell of the presence of a partner. Although a disembodied hand (forearm) cannot replace a real beloved, its creators have figured out how to make it more realistic.

What the device consists of

The robotic arm attaches to your forearm for a secure fit. Your “girlfriend” is controlled through a special application on your smartphone. For greater realism, the robotic arm reproduces the sounds of footsteps, the rustle of clothes and the girl's breathing through the built-in speaker, and the fabric inside the mechanism is capable of exuding the aroma of women's shampoo.



Interesting bonus: if you want a warm hand to feel a little nervous (definitely a sign that it likes you), you can make it sweat. Just add a damp cloth between the insulation and the "leather" and moisture will escape through the small pores in the material.





The fact that the hand comes from Japan, a country where robots are created for all occasions, is not surprising. In Japan, they already practiced developing virtual girlfriends, and a few years ago they even created a resort for guys who prefer digital dating.

Portable arm mission

Osampo Kanojo engineers' idea is to provide some comfort and companionship for single people, especially during self-isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whatever you say about walking with pale mechanized fingers, more and more researchers are finding a link between loneliness and health problems. Perhaps such a hand will really make the world a little happier.



However, it is not yet known whether the robot arm will go into mass production or whether you will have to look for a date with her via Tinder, like with a real girl.



In addition, the engineers have taken care of all the preferences and are already planning a male version of such a hand. In general, the mechanism in its structure will be similar to the “female” predecessor. The only difference is in the set of aromas. The “male hand” will exude male perfume, charcoal and, possibly, the smell of motor oil.



Would you go on a date with such a “girl”? with your thoughts in the comments!



References:

1. Scientists in Japan build robot to hold hands with lonely people [Electronic resource]
2. This pale, sweaty robot hand wants to take romantic walks with you [Electronic resource]
3. Official report of developers from the University of Gifu [Electronic resource]