I shudder to think what the porn industry will be doing with this new technology.

"...When showcased at the Version 05 arts festival in Chicago, viewers suggested using the system for internet sex. Experts dismiss the whole idea as silly..."

But petting a chicken - over the i-net - That's just about as practical an application as there can be. Can't tell you how many times a day I sit here at my computer at work just wishing i could pet my chicken. Literally. Not the other. Uhhhh... that sounds silly.

Just like every other idea that people have ever had for interacting with each other. Name one that can't (or hasn't) been used for sexual interaction. I wonder if Alexander Graham Bell ever considered that his invention might one day be used to charge per minute for phone sex...

The team is investigating the possibility of "internet hugging" and plans to develop an advanced haptic suit for humans, which will incorporate tiny air sacs, compressors and valves to impart a "high-fidelity" feeling of being hugged.

Both parties in the internet hug would have to wear haptic suits, and they would have to cuddle a human doll or a pillow embedded with pressure sensors. Adding a heartbeat and body-heat sensors would provide more intimacy.


Yeah.

Take that and add your standard blow up toy. http://www.realdoll.com/intro.asp Clearly this technology will get the funding it needs to proliferate.

"aby, I'm going to hang up right now so that you can go put on your advanced haptic suit and once you have it on, call me back because you sound like you are in dire need of a hug."

Do you think ol' Maw Bell had this in mind when their slogan was 'reach out and touch someone'?