Creepy ultra-realistic SEX robots are facing UK ban

One of the press photos released by True Companion to promote its ultra-realistic Roxxxy doll

SOPHISTICATED sex robots are unnecessary, undesirable and should be BANNED, a new campaign has claimed.

 

A campaign has been launched to try and ban the development of ultra-realistic sex robots.

Using sophisticated robotics to develop realistic human dolls capable of performing sex acts is "very disturbing indeed," said campaign leader Dr Kathleen Richardson.

Sex dolls are increasingly becoming more and more realistic, with many manufacturers now striving to build artificial intelligence into the products.

 

But Dr Richardson – a robot ethicist at De Montfort University, in Leicester – is hoping to raise awareness of the issue and persuade those working on the advanced sex 'bots to rethink their technology.

The news comes weeks after Dr Helen Driscoll – a leading on authority on the psychology of sex and relationships – claimed sex with robots would become the social norm within the next 50 years.

"Sex Tech is already advancing at a pace and in 50 years' time physical relationships will seem very primitive," she said.

But Dr Richardson strongly disagrees.

 

The De Montfort academic told the BBC: "Sex robots seem to be a growing focus in the robotics industry and the models that they draw on - how they will look, what roles they would play - are very disturbing indeed."

Dr Richardson believes humanoid sex robots reinforce traditional and damaging stereotypes of women.

It also perpetuates the view that a relationship does not need to be more than simply physical.

 

But senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Dr Kevin Curran believes sex robots are poised to become a mass market success.

"We would be naive to ignore market forces for 'intimate robots'," he told the BBC.

"Building human-like robots is quite easy once the mechanics are taken care of. Turning these robots into attractive companions is simply adding a 'skin'. 

"Not difficult at all and not done much to date as most robots are built in research-led institutions - not businesses. That time is coming to an end.

"There have been campaign groups actively voicing opposition to killer robots but I foresee the time soon when humans are lobbying against robot companions or at least shouting 'not in my backyard'."

A number of companies are already hard at work developing advanced sex robots.

Abyss Creations, a firm specialising in male and female sex toys, is set to introduce electronics into its creations.

 

A man relaxes on the sofa with Roxxxy, the "the world's first sex robot," according to its creators

And True Companion believes it will be the first to market with Roxxxy – "the world's first sex robot" – later this year.

True Companion CEO Douglas Hines sees a real need for advanced robotic companions like Roxxxy.

We are not supplanting the wife or trying to replace a girlfriend. This is a solution for people who are between relationships or someone who has lost a spouse

Douglas Hines, creator of the Roxxxy sexbot

"We are not supplanting the wife or trying to replace a girlfriend," he reassured.

"This is a solution for people who are between relationships or someone who has lost a spouse.

"People can find happiness and fulfilment other than via human interaction."

The US firm hopes Roxxxy will eventually be able to learn on her own, and begin to pick-up on her owner's likes and dislikes.

However for now the humanoid robot has to be manually updated using a laptop – and a cable plugged into her back.

"The physical act of sex will only be a small part of the time you spend with a sex robot - the majority of time will be spent socialising and interacting," Roxxxy's creator believes.

Roxxxy has already had thousands of pre-orders. Each unit retails for a staggering $7,000, some £4,530.