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."
"Sign of the apocalypse #70: Sex robots"
Don't laugh at Roxxxy — the idea stems from 9/11: Before scoffing at this fancy new sex toy, says Ann Althouse, keep in mind that "we must each absorb the shock of 9/11 in our own way." It turns out that Roxxxy's inventor, Douglas Hines, had a close friend who died in the 2001 attacks, and he subsequently wanted to "store" his deceased pal's personality in a robot. For better or worse, he has chosen to put this know-how to use by creating Roxxxy...
"She's a companion..."
We saw it in action — what a disappointment!: We were expecting some level of real intelligence from Roxxxy, says Lux Alptraum at FleshBot. But the prototype was underwhelming: This so-called sex robot is just a "mildly interactive" version of an old-fashioned sex doll. Certainly, Roxxxy will fulfill "some lonely souls," and someday might develop into "a true robotic companion." But in the meantime her makers will need to add "some life" to "those cold dead eyes."
"The future of sex (toys)"
