The Japanese have done it again with their wacky robots. This time, the fine eggheads at Japan’s University of Electro Communications have invented the Sense-Roid, a robotic mannequin that allows you to, yes, hug, caress and stroke yourself.

Basically, when you put on a tactile jacket and grope the Sense-Roid, it gropes you right back like a certain ex-California Governator. As it says in the demonstration video I’ve embedded below:

“…the user notice that you are actually hugging and stroking YOURSELF, which is found to be an ultimate partner.”

And here’s a more detailed description of the creation from the inventors themselves:

“What type of emotions could be obtained if you were able to hug yourself? When we hug someone, we feel a sense of ease coming from emotions such as belief, security and love. However, it is not possible to hug oneself, who is the closest person. To experience this situation, we proposed a tactile device called the Sense-Roid. The system is composed of a lay figure with tactile sensors to detect the user’s caressing motion, and a tactile jacket with vibrators and artificial muscles to reflect the caressing motion to the user. As a result, users caress themselves through our Sense-Roid. We believe that this self-caressing experience will enlighten people about the value of caressing.”

Yes, clearly these guys are indeed scientists and not writers. But check out the Sense-Roid for yourself and prepare for some major self-love:

If the Japanese keep inventing amazing products like this and the French Kissing Machine:

They’re liable to put businesses like their sex doll brothels out of business.

(via io9)