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University students invent electronic beer mat that helps shy pubgoers break the ice with opposite sex

The lowly beer mat, traditionally used by young pubgoers to play flicking games or build towers, may have a future as a chat-up aid.

Students in Newcastle have developed a mat which senses the presence of desirable nearby customers and projects a selection of light messages – like a news ticker or teleprompter – across tables or bars.

Prototypes will be revealed tonight at Newcastle University where piles of the so-called "dual sex" mats will be tested. Activated when touched by a drinker's glass, they initially flash a pink (for women) or blue (for men) halo which users can change by giving a second tap with their glass.

The mat can then be manoeuvred within range of a similar one being used by anyone fancied. Once within 60cm, the mat sends light messages along the bar, guided to the target mat by projectors hidden below.

Read the full story in The Guardian.

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