Sex with robots is “just around the corner”, an
expert told a global conference in London this week
featuring interactive intimacy gadgets and
discussions on the ethics of relationships with
humanoids.
expert told a global conference in London this week
featuring interactive intimacy gadgets and
discussions on the ethics of relationships with
humanoids.
Sex with robots is “just around the corner”, an
expert told a global conference in London this week
featuring interactive intimacy gadgets and
discussions on the ethics of relationships with
humanoids.
expert told a global conference in London this week
featuring interactive intimacy gadgets and
discussions on the ethics of relationships with
humanoids.
“Sexbots” are a staple of science fiction — the idea
of robots as sex partners is explored, for instance,
in recent films and television series like “Ex-
Machina” and “Westworld.”
of robots as sex partners is explored, for instance,
in recent films and television series like “Ex-
Machina” and “Westworld.”
But some specialists believe the first animated
lovers made of metal, rubber and plastic,
programmed to provide sexual bliss, will take a
step into reality just months from now.
lovers made of metal, rubber and plastic,
programmed to provide sexual bliss, will take a
step into reality just months from now.
“Sex with robots is just around the corner, with the
first sexbots coming… sometime next year,” artificial
intelligence expert David Levy told the International
Congress on Love and Sex with Robots at
Goldsmiths, University of London.
first sexbots coming… sometime next year,” artificial
intelligence expert David Levy told the International
Congress on Love and Sex with Robots at
Goldsmiths, University of London.
US California-based company Abyss Creations next
year will start marketing sex robots that are billed
as life-like, with the ability to talk and move like
humans.
Ultimately, Levy said, people should entertain the
thought of marriage with robots as early as 2050.
thought of marriage with robots as early as 2050.
The conference in London showcased some of the
latest developments in robotic intimacy gadgets,
such as gadgets which allow couples to kiss, no
matter how far apart they are.
latest developments in robotic intimacy gadgets,
such as gadgets which allow couples to kiss, no
matter how far apart they are.
The “Kissenger”, which attaches to your mobile
phone, contains sensors to detect the pressure of a
kiss and transmit it to your partner’s device in real
time. It has been under development for several
years.
Now students at Tokyo’s Keio University are
developing the “Teletongue”, aimed at providing
“remote oral interaction” and designed to be
“kinky”, according to co-creator Dolhathai
Kaewsermwong.
developing the “Teletongue”, aimed at providing
“remote oral interaction” and designed to be
“kinky”, according to co-creator Dolhathai
Kaewsermwong.
It allows couples to send licking sounds and
sensations through cyberspace using a “lollipop”,
creating an “immersive experience”, she explained.
sensations through cyberspace using a “lollipop”,
creating an “immersive experience”, she explained.
– ‘Moral panic’ –
Lynne Hall, of the University of Sunderland’s school
of computer science, in northeast England, said that
robots could create “a fantastic sexual experience”.
Lynne Hall, of the University of Sunderland’s school
of computer science, in northeast England, said that
robots could create “a fantastic sexual experience”.
“There are lots of benefits to sex with robots… it’s
safe, you never catch any disease, you can control
it,” she told the conference.
safe, you never catch any disease, you can control
it,” she told the conference.
She rejected the idea that robots would replace or
threaten sex with humans, however.
“We are somehow fed by moral panic… ‘It’s
disgusting… nobody will ever have sex with a
human again’,” Hall told the conference.
“But people are regularly watching porn… and they
are still having sex with humans,” she said.
are still having sex with humans,” she said.
Levy, the author of “Love and Sex with Robots”,
from which the annual conference takes its title,
said marriage to robots would be the next logical
step.
said marriage to robots would be the next logical
step.
“As sex with robots becomes more and more
commonplace… we shall come face to face with the
very real possibility of marriage to robots,” the
former international chess master said.
commonplace… we shall come face to face with the
very real possibility of marriage to robots,” the
former international chess master said.
And why not?
Robots of the future will be “patient, kind,
protective, loving”, never “jealous, boastful,
arrogant, rude,” Levy said — “unless of course, you
want them to be”.
Robots of the future will be “patient, kind,
protective, loving”, never “jealous, boastful,
arrogant, rude,” Levy said — “unless of course, you
want them to be”.
“All of the following qualities and many more are
likely to be achievable in software within a few
decades,” he added.
likely to be achievable in software within a few
decades,” he added.
Levy is convinced that rapid changes in attitudes to
sex and marriage in recent years point to a world
where “more and more people come to accept sex
and love with robots”.
sex and marriage in recent years point to a world
where “more and more people come to accept sex
and love with robots”.
– ‘Robot personhood’ –
In his vision, robot parents could become a social
norm, with laws to acknowledge “robot
personhood” and make marriage and parenting by
humanoids more than just a fantasy.
norm, with laws to acknowledge “robot
personhood” and make marriage and parenting by
humanoids more than just a fantasy.
“The time is fast approaching when the theoretical
debate must evolve into laws, and the
consequences of those laws will be staggering,” he
said.
debate must evolve into laws, and the
consequences of those laws will be staggering,” he
said.
For now, however, sexual relations with humanoids
are a step too far for many.
are a step too far for many.
Emma Yann Zhang, a PhD student at London’s City
University who worked on the Kissenger prototype,
believes there is still a long way to go before
people will accept the idea.
University who worked on the Kissenger prototype,
believes there is still a long way to go before
people will accept the idea.
In a pilot study conducted by the Imagineering
Institute in Malaysia, partnered with City University,
participants were asked about their perceptions of
sex robots, including the potential for intimacy and
attraction.
Institute in Malaysia, partnered with City University,
participants were asked about their perceptions of
sex robots, including the potential for intimacy and
attraction.
Although many were open to the possibility that
humans could be attracted to robots, “when asked
‘would you have a robot as a lover?’, most of them
said ‘no’,” said Zhang.
humans could be attracted to robots, “when asked
‘would you have a robot as a lover?’, most of them
said ‘no’,” said Zhang.
Hall agrees that the “paradigmatic change”
suggested by Levy is “not going to happen for a
very long time”.
suggested by Levy is “not going to happen for a
very long time”.
In the meantime, AI enthusiasts will be watching
closely to see how quickly the new generation of
sexbots fly off the shelves next year.
closely to see how quickly the new generation of
sexbots fly off the shelves next year.
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