This robot toy nibbles my finger - and I'm okay with that

Date:
Wed, 21 Sep 2022 14:36:14 +0000

Description:
Amagami Ham Ham robot bear is just as strange as you think it is

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Amagami Ham Ham is for when a cuddly bear is not enough and a squeeze of a tiny plush bear doesnt comfort, not in the same way as, say, you or someone else nibbling on your finger.

I first saw this strange little robot creature during CES 2022 . It was a cuddly follow-up to Yukai Engineerings equally strange but perhaps no-less endearing Pet Petite Qoobo robot , which was basically fur pillow with a wagging tail.

This bot, though, was different. Its based on Live Hearts Nemu Nemu series , which gives the two bear designs fairly specific, almost Anime-style looks. And instead of soothing through vibrations and tail wagging, Amagami uses its mouth, which is just the right size for the tip of most any finger, child, or adult.

As the name, which means soft biting in Japanese, implies, the little bear will chew on your fingertip when you insert it into the small mouth.

Right. It soundsum...unusual. Amagami Ham Ham robot toy at rest. (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Back in January, I had only photos and a GIF to understand this oddity. Now I have Amagami Ham Ham on my desk.

Yukai Engineering actually sent me a pair of bears to illustrate the two design styles. I decided to unbox just one of them

First of all, the bear, which lists for between $68 and $86 (it's mostly available on eBay ), is, at maybe 8-inches tall, smaller than I expected. The body is soft and plush, though not furry. Theres a long zipper on the back, which I opened to reveal a battery pack. Amagami Ham Ham takes three AA batteries (sold separately), and theres a single power switch on the box. I put the batteries in, switched it to on, reinserted the plastic box into the bears body, and zipped it up. You need to read the box. (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Amagami Ham Ham is, by default, in a somewhat slumped over sitting position, and instead of beady eyes staring back at me, its eyes are permanently
closed, as if it's alseep or dreads whats to come.

I gently held the back of the bear, while gingerly inserting the tip of my index finger into its mouth. Along the bottom edge, under the fabric, I could feel a stiff edge, almost like smooth teeth. After a moment, Amagami Ham Hams lower jaw moved up to gently bite on my digit. Even through its fur and stuffing, I could hear the sound of its motors

I pulled out my finger and stared in disbelief. It occurred to me that the robot has a pressure sensor in the mouth, but I couldnt quite tell if its in the back or along the roof or bottom of the mouth. Amagami Ham Ham robot toy gently nibbles finger (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Placing my finger back in the toys mouth, I noticed that it was now nibbling with more enthusiasm, its tiny jaw bobbing up and down. There was never
enough pressure to hurt or even keep my finger stuck in there, not even
enough to bother a small child (I think), but I could feel what it was doing. Amagami Ham Ham nibbling (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

There are two algorithmically chosen nibble modes and I could tell that the bear was alternating between slow, rhythmic biting and enthusiastic nibbling.

Yukai engineering believes that this sensation of gentle nibbling is comforting. They compare it to a baby or small animal nibbling on your
finger. Uh, ok. Amagami Ham Ham creates some pressure on your digit, but
never enough to get a firm grip and hold on to it. Seems safe enough for little children. (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

I decided to let some co-workers try it out. All were fascinated, startled, and somewhat uncomfortable. They predicted bad things for Amagami Ham Ham if left unattended.

Later, I presented the bear to my wife and, without explanation, told her to put her finger in his mouth. She said it was as if Amagami Ham Ham was breast-feeding on her finger. I dont think she liked it.

I can say with some confidence that there is nothing else quite like Amagami Ham Ham. The plush bear robot with the finger-hunger mouth stands alone in
the annals of toys, robotics, and self-care technology.

I dont know what to make of it, though I am trying to write this while my thumb is stuck in Amagami Ham Hams mouth.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/this-robot-toy-nibbles-my-finger-and-im-okay-wi th-that/


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