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How long-distance lovers can share a drink


Thursday, 9th March 2006, 07:04
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LIFE STYLE EXTRA (UK) - LONG-distance lovers could soon be enjoying the sensuous delight of sharing a tipple - over the internet.

Scientists have come up with hi-tech wine glasses - dubbed 'lover's cups' - for couples who want to get intimate even when they are thousands of miles apart.

When one person picks up the Wi-Fi glass, sensors are triggered that make the other partner's tumbler glow warmly with red digital clock-style light emitting diodes (LEDs).

Researchers at the world-renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston say the glowing glasses will help travellers feel more in touch with their other half thanks to the feeling of a shared drinking experience - even when they are the other side of the world.

Human computer interaction experts Jackie Lee and Hyemin Chung say communal drinking is an important social experience that helps bind friendships and relationships - but is denied to people separated by geography.

To give such lovebirds a chance to recreate some of the intimacy of sharing a drink they have incorporated a variety of coloured LEDs, liquid sensors and wireless links into a pair of glass tumblers.

When either person picks up a glass red LEDs on their partner's glass glow gently, reports New Scientist.

And when either puts the glass to their lips sensors make white LEDs on the rim of the other glass glow brightly - so you can tell when your partner takes a sip.

Following tests in separate labs, Phd student Ms Lee says the wireless glasses really do "help people feel as if they are sharing a drinking experience together."

She says the technology could also be used to check hospital patients or elderly people are drinking enough water.

The glasses will be unveiled at the Conference on Computer-Human Interaction 2006 in Montreal in April



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