Crave companionship?  Do you find yourself lacking in love and absent affection, or do you simply need a good hug?  Finally, thanks to Japanese robotics engineers, a hug will always be at the ready with the Sense-Roid HugBot.

Combine the Sense-Roid HugBot with another Japanese creation, a mood-matching cat ear headset, and your emotional state may improve despite the fact that another’s opinion of you may take a serious hit.

The Sense-Roid HugBot was developed by a student at the University of Electro-Communications in Japan, and is described as:

“The Sense-Roid is essentially a sewer’s dress form–a mannequin torso, in other words–that wears a very particular jacket or vest. The user also wears a jacket, and when the two articles of clothing connect, they being to inflate with air and vibrate in ways meant to simulate a real hug.”

“In fact, the Sense-Roid mimics the pressure from the user’s hug, so in a way, hugging it is like hugging yourself. It detects the precise nature of the hug with micro switch sensors, then reciprocates in real-time. There are no known plans to make the Sense-Roid any more than a prototype.”

Sounds warm and cuddly, no?   If the description doesn’t grab you (pun intended), perhaps the “loving” video demonstration below will.

Forgive me if I’m creeped out by the concept and the video, but if I need a hug and can’t find a willing partner (highly likely), don’t expect me to ever turn to the Sense-Roid HugBot for a loving embrace.

What do you think of the Sense-Roid HugBot?  Odd or awesome?

Popular Science

Marriage.  The formal definition of the practice is, “Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship.”  Sounds so special, and it most certainly is, to some.  Unfortunately, nearly 50 percent of all marriages in America end in divorce, and a new, coin-based, method of getting married, Concept Shed’s AutoWed Wedding Machine may result in those figures to rise even higher if the marriage method is made more official.

The AutoWed Wedding Machine,  2.5-meter-tall [8-foot], device mimics an actual wedding ceremony, producing a printed, but unofficial, marriage certificate for a dollar or U.K. pound.

After inserting your money, entering the details of you and your “betrothed” using a steampunk-inspired keyboard, a robotic voice reads out your names.  Once complete, the AutoWed dispenses a set of rings in plastic eggs, producing a “perfect” marriage.

AutoWed inventor Sam Lanyon:

“About a year and a half ago we were playing around with an idea about the bastardisation of a traditional wedding by crossing it with a parking meter. We stuck it into the sketchbook and it just sat there as an idea.”

“We’re going to be designing a simplified version. This one looks great but the custom-built keyboard and other details means that it’s quite expensive. So we’re producing a cut-down version for other bars to appreciate the payback.”

While purely for fun at this point, one can envision certain spots on the globe, Las Vegas for example, where AutoWed could be used as an actual method for getting married.

The question is, would you opt to get married using AutoWed, or would you choose a more traditional marriage ceremony?

AutoWed Wedding Vending Machine by Concept Shed from Conceptshed on Vimeo.

Wired

Diamond-encrusted earbuds ($3,500)

Add some bling to your earbuds with those pictured above.  The sound quality may be no different from Apple’s standard earbuds, but you’re recipient will be the envy of all iOS device owners and the target of any criminal who sees your sweetheart wearing them.

Gold and diamond encrusted bluetooth headset ($50,000)

If you’re looking to keep your loved one’s hands on the wheel, and look good while doing so, why not spend $50,000 on a bluetooth headset?  Seems like a no-brainer right?  Aside from the extravagance, the device is functional and will make one the talk (pun intended) of anyone who sees it.

Circuit Board Earrings ($20)

Nerd with not too much to spend?  Circuit board earrings will make the perfect gift for the geeky girl in your life.  They’ll go with practically any outfit and are far from traditional, bored, gifts.

Set of Ethernet Jack Rings (Price Unavailable)

Want to really make a connection with your partner?  What better way to do so than with an eternal ethernet expression of your love?

Pi Necklace ($345)

How many different ways can you tell another you love them?  With this necklace you’re guaranteed at least 3.14159265358979323846264338327950288… ways of showing your penchant for another person without spending too much money.

Macintosh Power Ring ($125)

Want to press all the right buttons this Valentine’s Day (again, pun intended)?  For the Apple fanboy or fangirl in your life, nothing says, “I love you,” more powerfully than a Macintosh Power ring.  Purchase one and instantly become the Apple (yes, that’s 3) of your loved one’s eye.

Will you purchase any of the gifts listed above for your love this Valentine’s Day?  What other geeky gifts have you given to show your affection towards another?

For Twitter fanatics, here is another great proposal by Sean Bonner to Tara Brown. Take a look at the screenshot to see for yourself. I don’t know about you guys but this is awfully cute, isn’t it?

Here’s another one on Twitter. The proposal:

The reply:

Ahuh – and who said that only men give proposals?

Last, but not the least, is the proposal to Kathleen Fent. This one took all of 15 minutes to get a yes, but get a yes it did!

And who said geeks were boring? Eat your words, people. These geeks have proven that proposing marriage the good old fashioned way doesn’t come close to what they can come up with with a little help from their friends (Twitter, Nintendo DS, and whatever other gadget or technology you prefer.)