AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, from www.foxnews.com

The media was filled with sex robot talk early January of this year. In particular, there’s been heavy media coverage on Roxxxy, a female sex robot developed by the company TrueCompanion.

Their advertisement  for the robot on the company’s website says: “Always turned on, and ready to talk or play” and “the world’s first and highest quality sex robot doll”.

I am not sure how fitting the ad is, given the company’s claim that “the robot isn’t solely used for sex but is rather a life partner or mate for those who can’t find or don’t want the real thing.” A companion who is ‘always turned on‘ hardly comes off as an ideal companion ready for a meaningful relationship.

What’s interesting is how Lisa and Roxxxy are advertised as sex dolls at first, but are always followed by the highly unconvincing argument that these robots were built for ‘companionship’ purposes also. None of the sentences that try to use both the words ’sex doll’ and ‘companion’  to describe these robots seem easy to swallow. Sentences such as “She will also be able to talk, listen, carry on a conversation, feel your touch and be your true friend” makes me visualize shaking of a bottle of water-oil mixture – shake it all you want, but they will always remain two distinct liquids, it’s either your sex doll or companion buddy.

Aiko, developed by Le Trung of Ontario Canada, is a similar robot but built with ‘companionship’ or ‘carebot’ in mind – rather than sex doll. And the designer explicitly does not mix the water with oil either.

Sure, Roxxxy has features like customizable personalities, and ability to share these personalities with other people via web service available from TrueCompanion. But doesn’t that just defeat the purpose of having a partner/companion/significant-other? I can imagine a sex toy being mass produced – because it’s perfectly ok for sex toys to perform one function in one way to serve the needs of many – but the idea of mass manufacturing a girlfriend/boyfriend is highly unsettling. I mean what’s there to fall in love for in a girlfriend/boyfriend that all my other friends also have?

I would be interested to find out if there’s any psychological impact to the owners who seriously take these robots to be their companions, but have a hard time dealing with the fact that his neighbours Jo, Tom, and Bob also uses the same model of the same sex robot.

Everyone knows that sex sells, and the idea of sex with human-like artifacts has been with us since the myths of ancient Greece – ask David Levy or read his book. But just because it sells does not justify the ethical issues surrounding the product.

I understand, and remain open to, those people in Japan and other parts of the world who find comfort in virtual or artificial companionship (read A Perfect (Robotic) Woman Cont’d – Virtual/Artificial Girlfriend (Companion)).

And I must agree that taking a stance in this issue is harder when you consider the positive impact these sophisticated sex dolls could have in replacing Japanese sex volunteers to address the country’s dried-flower syndrome and the positive impact sex allegedly has on self-confidence of the unwanted. However, I do not see it as a positive trend – mainly because it seems to be advertised as a new entertainment/sport for healthy male –  nor do I think robotic sex dolls are the solution to those who lack companionship.

For those of you looking for original coverage on Roxxxy, please visit the links below, where the following excerpts originate:

Roxxxy, the sexy bot, is a completely anatomically correct and customizable companion (from features to hair color) that exhibits different personalities and responds to touch.

The coolest part about the robot is that you can build your own custom personality based on your preference or tweak an existing personality. Once you develop a personality you really like, members can share it with friends on True Companion’s website. The website sync also makes the robot compatible for updates and new features or sexy quirks such as a robot that responds to a S&M safety word.

True Companion claims that the robot isn’t solely used for sex but is rather a life partner or mate for those who can’t find or don’t want the real thing.

1. http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/01/09/nsfw-true-companion-debuts-sex-robot-roxxxy/#more-133397

The Roxxxy is 5 feet, 7 inches tall, 120lbs, and “has a full C cup and is ready for action,” according to Mr Hines, who was an artificial intelligence engineer at Bell Labs before starting TrueCompanion.

The anatomically-correct robot has an articulated skeleton that can move like a person but can’t walk or independently move its limbs. Robotic movement is built into “the three inputs” and a mechanical heart that powers a liquid cooling system.

2. http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/01/11/worlds-life-size-robot-girlfriend/