Roxxxy: World's first sex robot

Is an artificially intelligent sex doll who can chat and respond to your touch inspiring — or just disturbing?

A former Bell Labs scientist, Douglas Hines, has unveiled what he describes as the world's first sex robot: "She's a companion. She listens to you. She speaks. She feels your touch. She goes to sleep." Christened "Roxxxy," the robot has life-like silicone skin, a mechanical heart, and five personality options ranging from "Wild Wendy" to "Mature Martha." As a technological creation, is Roxxxy — who will retail for between $7,000 and $9,000 — inspiring or creepy? (Watch Roxxxy's introduction at a tech convention)

Simultaneously amazing and disturbing: I won't claim that "the prospect of, er, alternative forms of sex and sexuality is not without its appeal," says Michael J.W. Stickings at The Reaction. Who wouldn't like like sex in a "Star Trek-like" virtual reality simulation? But Roxxxy "leaves something to be desired." Should we really be looking forward to the day when "we'll all be able to have essentially servile human 'companions' customized to our liking?" Because it seems like that's "where we're headed."

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us