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."
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