It may seem like the plot of a raunchy sci-fi movie, but the popularity of sex androids is already on the rise, with manufacturers offering life-like, moving dolls for “private fun”. And futurologist has now predicted that the specialised robots will start to appear in ordinary homes in the next decade, as randy humans look for hassle-free love.
In a report produced for an online sex shop, he says: “Some people will enthusiastically embrace relationship-free robot sex as soon as they can afford one — as early as 2025. The early robotic toys are out of the price range of most people, costing around £6,000, but the technology is developing all the time. Companies across the world are already making fully working sex robots, which move and make noises to simulate bedroom antics.
US firm TrueCompanion’s website advertises an “ultra-realistic” sex robot, known as Roxxxy, describing it as a good replacement for a wife or girlfriend “without the social issues”. Roxxxy, which costs around £5,000, has a heartbeat and circulatory system, thanks to internal sensors, and her personality can be altered to suit her owner. She is physically fully customisable, from hair colour to make-up and even toenail style.
At the time of Roxxxy’s launch in 2010, around 4,000 men placed pre-orders, with a further 20,000 requesting more information. The company boasts: “She knows your name, your likes and dislikes, can carry on a discussion and expresses her love to you and can be your loving friend. She can talk to you, listen to you and feel your touch.” The sex doll’s personality uses built-in apps which work like Apple’s Siri speech software to handle a limited level of conversation.
For its female customers TrueCompanion is also working on a male sex robot, Rocky, with options of designer stubble and choice of hair and eye colour and any one of five skin tones. Like his female counterpart, Rocky will cost close to £5,000. In TrueCompanion’s web blurb, Roxxxy creator says: “Designing a robot sex doll involves multiple disciplines. “They wanted to have their dolls become interactive and be their friends. We solved this problem and our customers can have sex robots that, in one person’s opinion, ‘are now brought to life’.”
People will certainly fall in love with robots. What constitutes cheating will evolve too. People may accept partners having sex with AI or virtual people and robots, or just pushing ‘O’ for an orgasm, if they’re doing the same.”