Introduction
A recent LELO census, the Sex Census, revealed an unexpected trend. A notable fraction of Britons, a third, showed interest in forming romantic bonds with affordable advanced AI sex robots.
Clearing Misunderstanding: More than Simple Sex Dolls
These AI sex robots are unlike the conventional inanimate sex dolls. They’re advanced, capable of human-like movements and meaningful conversations. The 2023 survey, involving 4,000 participants, exposed a significant gap between the sexes. Nearly half (43.9%) of male respondents were curious while just 21% of women felt the same.
Stars of the Show: Henry and Harmony 3.0
Stars of this study were Henry and Harmony 3.0, creations of Realbotix. Henry was launched in 2018 with promises of “exceptional sexual performance” and a good sense of humor. At 6 feet, Henry can converse, greet his owner, and even recite romantic lines or a favorite love poem.
The Price of Advancement
Of course, such high-tech comes with a high price. Henry costs between £8,000 and £11,000 ($9,940 – $13,668). Harmony 3.0, priced at £11,700 ($14,551), comes with the unique feature of self-lubrication for easy dishwashing cleaning.
More than Pleasure: Realbotix CEO’s Dream
Realbotix CEO Matt McMullen sees these robots in a different light, not just objects of pleasure. He suggests that they could improve individuals’ bedroom talents. Moreover, he thinks they can extend connections past the physical, letting people charm and chat with their robotic friends.
Bumps on the Road
However, not everyone shares this hopeful view. Some experts worry about the addictive risks of close relations with robots. Joel Snell from Kirkwood College, Iowa, a robotics specialist, hints at the dangers of easy access and the fact that sexbots can’t say no. This situation could possibly lead to dependance.
Looking Ahead
As we walk into this revolutionary period of human-robot relations, questions pop up about how technology and closeness intersect. In the navigation of this changing scene, societal thoughts and ethical aspects are set to influence the future course of such relations.