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Last year, former Kyushu Institute of Technology researcher Koichi Uchimura launched a crowdfunding campaign for his Ita-Supo, the first talking hug pillow that responds to your caresses. He hoped to raise 500,000 yen (US$4,460) but the project saw a huge demand. The campaign earned a total of 3.7 million yen (US$32,844). A year later, pre-orders are open for the sensor, and two pillow case bundles of original characters Rina Makuraba and her older sister Yuka Makuraba.

The sensors in the breast and crotch area respond to the users touch and cause the characters to respond. If you gently massage Rina's breasts, she'll coo and simper, with increasingly lovey-dovey messages like, "What if I start loving you even more than I already do?" Grope her too hard and she'll become angry, responding with messages like, "Hey! That hurts!"

The app is supposed to monitor input so that the character and user's relationship increases over time.

The pillow case is integrated with a smartphone app, which will allow the future download of expansion voice packs (it comes pre-loaded with 500 phrases) and other interfaces. Rina's voice is provided by Amisa Sakuragi and three other voice actresses are planned to join the project. Users can also upload their own voice clips through the app, which opens a wide array of options if you already own a hug pillow cover of a certain character.

The sensor costs 14,800 yen (US$130) and the character hug pillow cover bundles are 19,800 yen (US$176). The items will ship on April 1.

[Via Rocket News 24]