ArticlePDF Available

I, Sex Robot: The health implications of the sex robot industry

June 2018
BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health 44(3):bmjsrh-2017-200012

DOI:10.1136/bmjsrh-2017-200012

Authors:

Chantal Cox-George

University of Bristol

Susan Bewley

King's College London

Content uploaded by Susan Bewley

Content may be subject to copyright.

Cox-GeorgeC, BewleyS. 2018;0:1–4. doi:10.1136/bmjsrh-2017-200012

I, Sex Robot: the health implications

of the sex robotindustry

Chantal Cox-George,1 Susan Bewley2

1St George’s University Hospitals

NHS Foundation Trust, London,

2Women’s Health Academic

Centre, King’s College London,

London, UK

Correspondence to

Dr Chantal Cox-George, St

George’s University Hospitals

NHS Foundation Trust, London

SW17 0QT, UK; ccoxgeorge@

gmail. com

Received 25 October 2017

Revised 6 April 2018

Accepted 8 April 2018

To cite: Cox-GeorgeC,

BewleyS. Published Online

First: [please include Day

Month Year]. doi:10.1136/

bmjsrh-2017-200012

Editorial

INTRODUCTION

The sex technology industry is

already estimated to be worth

US$30 billion.1 While sex toys are

well-established, sex robots (‘sexbots’),

anthropomorphic devices created for

sexual gratification, are no longer

science fiction. Four companies sell

adult sexbots priced between US$5000

and US$15 000. They must be distin-

guished from ‘paedobots’ – childlike

robotic models at present only produced

by one company.2 The market appears to

be men, and so far only ‘female’ adult

sexbots have been created, although one

company reports aiming to sell ‘male’

devices later in 2018.3 Sex robots are

realistic mannequins with variable ages,

appearances and textures, and customis-

able oral, vaginal and anal openings.

The medical profession needs to be

prepared for inevitable questions about

the impact of sex robots on health. Apart

from free-market profits, the majority

of arguments in their favour use ‘harm

limitation’ somewhat defensively to

convince others that this is one way

to protect the vulnerable. Opponents

reject the hypothesis that they reduce

sexual crimes, and instead raise concerns

about the potential for harm by further

promoting the pervasive idea that living

women too are sex objects that should be

constantly available - ‘misogynistic objec-

tification’ - and intensifying existing

physical and sexual violence against

women and children.

What characterises all discussions of this

issue is the paucity of an evidence base.

This might falsely reassure clinicians not

to concern themselves with changing their

current clinical practice. However, an

absence of evidence does not excuse the

medical profession from discussing and

debating the issues, as there will inevitably

be consequences for physical, mental and

social well-being.

METHODOLOGY

We aim to provide a succinct summary

of the arguments for and against the sex

robot industry and to assess the potential

health implications that may affect both

patients and clinicians. To find infor-

mation about the health consequences

of sex robot use a narrative literature

review via PubMed and Google was

conducted, using the terms ‘robot’, ‘sex’,

‘sex toys’, ‘doll’, ‘child sex abuse’, ‘sex

therapy’, ‘paedophile*’ with follow-up

of embedded references, and informal

discussions with expert informants from

various specialties. In order to explore the

themes identified, we considered sexbots

within the contexts of pornography, sex

dolls and virtual reality.

We found no reports of primary data

relating to health aspects of the use of sex

robots.

THEMES IDENTIFIED

We identified four key themes relevant to

healthcare providers:

►Safer sex

►Therapeutic potential

►Potential to treat paedophiles and sex of-

fenders

►Changing societal norms.

Do sex robots promote safer sex?

Some people envision a future with no sex

trafficking, sex tourism or sex trade. One

hypothetical future red-light district has

been described where the spread of sexu-

ally transmitted infections is prevented

by providing robotic prostitutes made of

bacteria-resistant fibre, flushed for human

fluids after use.4 This well-intentioned

scenario is optimistic, and sexbots can

already be bought, or leased for parties.

There may be legal liability ramifications

should the engineering of sexbots fail,

leading to injury or infection, and with

unclear responsibility for condoms and

cleaning protocols.5

Cox-GeorgeC, BewleyS. 2018;0:1–4. doi:10.1136/bmjsrh-2017-200012

Editorial

Third-party interests, witnesses and bystander

effects have to be considered as sexbots enter the

public domain. Greater tolerance of sexbots relies on

society having an informed and agreed view of a lais-

sez-faire governmental approach, rather than one regu-

lating financial exchanges related to sexual activity.

This chimes with present disputes about ‘full’ versus

‘limited’ decriminalisation of prostitution, which the

British Medical Association recently rejected for want

of good evidence of sex workers’ health and safety

protection.6 It is speculative whether the develop-

ment of a sexbot marketplace will lead to lesser risk of

violence and infections, or drive further exploitation

of human sex workers. Sexual violence survivors and

activists already campaign against ‘rape culture’7 - the

idea that (overwhelmingly) male violence is regarded

as entitled and prosecution is so difficult that perpetra-

tors of sexual abuse act with impunity.

Do sex robots have therapeutic value?

Psychosexual therapists should examine the future

impact of sex robots on empathy and human rela-

tionships. It is at least plausible that sex robots will

be helpful for patients who would benefit from sexual

practice without pressure, although this might move

some further away from human intimacy. Sexual

activity with robots has been described as a mastur-

batory practice, so someone with sexual dysfunction,

which may already lead to isolation, “might become

even more isolated by the illusion of having a substi-

tute satisfaction”.8 Psychosexual therapists might use

sexbots to assist couples with mismatched libido or to

help treat erectile dysfunction,9 but potential adverse

consequences, such as rejection of the non-interacting

partner or threats to the integrity of the relationship,

are underplayed. Sexbots might provide ‘companion-

ship’ for the lonely, mentally and physically disabled,

the elderly, or those who find intercourse traumatic,9

though this justification requires a change in meaning

of ‘companion’ from a living, interacting person. It

also seems patronising to argue for a ‘lesser’ sexual

experience when most people with disabilities can

form mutually satisfying relationships. Artificial

intelligence means sexbots will move, eye-track,

‘speak’ and simulate sexual functions as they “adapt

to their user’s needs and even moods”2 However, it

remains unproven that intimacy ‘needs’ will be satis-

fied: there could be worsened distress.10 While a

human may genuinely desire a sexbot, reciprocation

can only be artificially mimicked.

Do sex robots have potential to treat paedophiles and sex

offenders?

Even before sexbots, there was little consensus on the

impact of pornography, although there are claims of

an association with reduced incidences of rape and

prostitution, confounded by causality, transparency

and recognition that there are conflicts of interest.

Countervailing risks have been expressed including

commodifying human beings, normalising sexual devi-

ancy, becoming ‘addictive’, acting as a practice ground

for violence, and promoting the control of vulnerable

individuals.11 While many sexbot users may distin-

guish between fact and fantasy, some buyers may not,

leading to concern about potentially exacerbating the

risk of sexual assault and rape of actual children and

adults.

Virtual reality has been shown to evoke realistic (and

potentially gratifying) responses in sexually deviant

and non-deviant men in controlled research settings.12

One company (with a decade’s experience producing

life-like child sex dolls) claims that they help individ-

uals “redirect dark desires”,12 thus protecting poten-

tial victims. The company’s chief executive officer,

a self-confessed paedophile, believes that aberrant

sexual desires cannot be remedied but instead should

be expressed legally and ethically, otherwise life would

not be “worth living”.13 This might be taken literally

or seen as a manipulative suicide threat.

In the USA, virtual child pornography is considered

legally distinct from imagery involving real children.14

In the UK, it would not be illegal to own a child sexbot,

although a man has been jailed for “importing an

obscene article”, a child sex doll.15 Forensic physicians

working in Sexual Assault Referral Centres have been

involved in police investigations of customs offences,

providing age assessment of child sex dolls (size,

age-related features, Tanner staging, hair, clothing) (L

O’Connor, ME Vooijs, S Lewis, C White, K Shardlow,

BP Butler, personal communications, 2017).

Given present major weaknesses in the evidence

base, and the lack of evidence of effective treatments

of sexual offenders against children, we would strongly

caution against the use of paedobotsas putative ‘treat-

ment’ unless as part of robust, scientifically and ethi-

cally acceptable research trials.

Will there be changes in societal norms?

Sexbots are generally female and ‘air-brushed’, raising

the question of public interest in avoiding gender

discrimination and inequality due to the promotion

of distorted views of attractiveness that reduce female

body confidence. There are worries about blurred

boundaries to consent16 and permission for enacted

violence when sexbot ‘personalities’ can be selected

that simulate non-consensual sex - that is, rape. The

Foundation for Responsible Robotics states that the

sex between human and robot is intrinsically different

to sex between humans because “machinery … cannot

grant consent or be raped”17 But can the user’s moti-

vation be entirely discounted? An established UK

judgement determined that consent does not protect

against charges of unlawful and malicious wounding

and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.18

If therapeutic benefit were demonstrated, would

doctors ‘prescribe’ sexbots based on ‘harm reduction’,

Cox-GeorgeC, BewleyS. 2018;0:1–4. doi:10.1136/bmjsrh-2017-200012 3

Editorial

and how would onward use be controlled?12 It would

not be surprising if some doctors had conscientious

objections based on feeling professionally or morally

compromised. Even if sexbots ‘worked’ and contrib-

uted to health, the products’ high cost would presum-

ably limit accessibility.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence-based healthcare is at the core of medical

professionalism and practice. The current dearth of

information on health aspects of sexbots may relate

to rapid commercial innovation, low sales, few direct

consultations, failure to recognise and report health

and social consequences for patients, or inadequate

investment in research.

However, absent evidence of efficacy of both thera-

peutic value and sexual satisfaction will hardly dampen

market forces. Potential profits and rising demand will

incentivise companies to produce cheaper sexbots.

Technological advances will drive competition to create

the most affordable but desirable model. Research has

explored ‘robotiquette’ for the management of human-

robot interactions.19 We call for more research in this

sphere. Future health studies might include medical

observations, case reports, and measurement of visual

and neural responses of users, alongside evidence of

the impact of robots, and sexbots in particular, in the

education, criminal justice and social science sectors.

The UK General Medical Council and medical

defence organisations have not issued any guidance,

but doctors might be advised to avoid using sexbots

themselves, given police interest, prosecutions, and the

potential negative impact on public trust.

The overwhelmingly predominant market for

sexbots will be unrelated to healthcare. Thus the

‘health’ arguments made for their benefits, as with

so many advertised products, are rather specious.

Currently, the ‘precautionary principle’ should reject

the clinical use of sexbots until their postulated bene-

fits, namely ‘harm limitation’ and ‘therapy’, have been

tested empirically.

Acknowledgements The authors wish to thank the many

colleagues who offered insights but who withheld their names

out of discretion.

Contributors CCG is an Academic Foundation Year 2 Doctor

at St George’s Hospital in London with interests in sexual and

reproductive health. She researched and drafted the article. SB

is Professor of Women’s Health at King’s College London. She

advised and edited the article. Both authors approved the final

version.

Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this

research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or

not-for-profit sectors.

Competing interests None declared.

Patient consent Not required.

Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally

peer reviewed.

Data sharing statement No additional data available.

commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

REFERENCES

1 Kleeman J. The race to build the world’s first sex robot. The

Guardian [online]. https://www. theguardian. com/ technology/

2017/ apr/ 27/ race- to- build- world- first-sex-robot (accessed 25

Aug 2017).

2 Torjesen I. Sixty seconds on…sex with robots. BMJ

2017;358:j3353.

3 Ramos J. Realistic male sex robots with bionic penises will go

on sale this year. Science Trends [online]. https:// sciencetrends.

com/ realistic- male- sex- robots-bionic-penises-will-go-sale-year/

(accessed 25 Jan 2018).

4 Yeoman I, Mars M. Robots, men and sex tourism. Futures

2012;44:365–71.

5 Siddique HG. Sex robots promise ‘revolutionary’ service but

also risks, says study. The Guardian [online]. 2017 https://www.

theguardian. com/ technology/ 2017/ jul/ 05/ sex- robots- promise-

revolutionary- service- but- also- risks- says- study (accessed 25

Aug 2017).

6 Nordicmodelnow. org [online]. BMA rejects motion 422 to

decriminalise sex trade. https:// nordicmodelnow. org/ 2017/

07/ 06/ bma- rejects- motion- 422- to- decriminalise-sex-trade/

(accessed 13 Sep 2017).

7 Ellis P. #WomenNotObjects: how advertisers can help put a

stop to rape culture in 2017. Huffington Post [online]. http://

www. huffingtonpost. co. uk/ philip- ellis/ womennotobjects- how-

adver_ b_ 13604388. html (accessed 13 Sep 2017).

8 Facchin F, Barbara G, Cigoli V. Sex robots: the irreplaceable

value of humanity. BMJ 2017;358:j3790.

9 Kerner I. What the sex robots will teach us. CNN [online].

http:// edition. cnn. com/ 2016/ 12/ 01/ health/ robot- sex- future-

technosexuality/ index. html (accessed 5 Sep 2017).

10 Bendel O. Surgical, therapeutic, nursing and sex robots

in machine and information ethics. In: van Rysewyk S,

Pontier M, eds. Machine medical ethics. Intelligent systems,

control and automation: science and engineering: Springer,

2015;74:17–32.

11 Richardson K. The asymmetrical ‘relationship’: parallels

between prostitution and the development of sex robots.

SIGCAS Computers & Society [online] 2015 https://

campaignagainstsexrobots. org/ the- asymmetrical- relationship-

parallels- between- prostitution- and- the - de velo pmen t- of- sex-

robots/ (accessed 5 Oct 2017).

12 Rutkin A. Could sex robots and virtual reality treat

paedophilia? New Scientist [online]. https://www. newscientist.

com/ article/ 2099607- could- sex- robots-and-virtual-reality-

treat-paedophilia/ (accessed 25 Aug 2017).

13 Osborne S. Japanese company manufactures lifelike child

sex dolls for paedophiles. The Independent [online]. 2016

http://www. independent. co. uk/ news/ world/ asia/ japanese-

company- manufactures- lifelike- child- sex- dolls- for- paedophiles-

a6811046. html (accessed 1 Sep 2017).

14 Stout D. Supreme court strikes down ban on virtual child

pornography. The New York Times [online]. http://www.

nytimes. com/ 2002/ 04/ 16/ national/ supreme- court- strikes- down-

ban- on- virtual- child- pornography. html (accessed 06 Oct 2017).

15 Day H. Nuclear energy consultant, 49, who smuggled a £150

‘paedophile’ sex doll resembling a four-year-old girl into

the UK is jailed for two years in landmark case. Daily Mail

[online]. http://www. dailymail. co. uk/ news/ article- 4633322/

Cox-GeorgeC, BewleyS. 2018;0:1–4. doi:10.1136/bmjsrh-2017-200012

Editorial

Man- smuggled- paedophile- sex- doll- jailed. html (accessed 13

Sep 2017).

16 Thames Valley Police. Tea and consent. 2015

https://www. youtube. com/ watch? v= pZwvrxVavnQ

(accessed 14 Sep 2017).

17 Sharkey N, van Wynsberghe A, Robbins S, et al. Our sexual future

with robots. Foundation for Responsible Robotics [online]. 2017

http:// responsiblerobotics. org/ wp- content/ uploads/ 2017/ 07/ FRR-

Consultation- Report- Our- Sexual- Future- with- robots_ Final. pdf

(accessed 6 Sep 2017).

18 Brown RV. UKHL 19, 1 AC 212, 1993.

19 Dautenhahn K. Socially intelligent robots: dimensions of

human-robot interaction. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci

2007;362:679–704.

From Sex Dolls to Sex Robots and Beyond: A Narrative Review of Theoretical and Empirical Research on Human-like and Personified Sex Tech

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2022
Curr Sex Health Rep

Abstract Purpose of Review Developments in human-like and personified sex tech require familiarity with a range of technologically sophisticated sex toys. Most sex toys approximating full-sized human bodies are inanimate, but recent advances in robotics, artificial intelligence, and digital interfaces are being incorporated into sex toy designs with the aim of providing humanized sexual and emotional experiences for users. This narrative review of scholarship on sex dolls, sex robots, and other forms of personified sex tech covers theoretical debates, recent empirical findings, and identifies gaps for future research in this field. Recent Findings Review of 87 scholarly books, articles, and essays reveals several trends in the field. First, despite continued calls for empirically driven work, the bulk of research on sex dolls, sex robots, and personified sex tech continues to be theoretical. In some cases, theoretical models discussing how people might be affected by human-like and personified sex tech have outpaced the technological capabilities of sex toy manufacturers. Another trend is the noticeable focus on developments and users in North American and European countries. Finally, sex doll ownership is primarily researched and theorized in ways that center heterosexual men as the primary users. While empirical research shows that single middle-aged heterosexual men use sex and sex robots more than women, developments in personified sex tech may push the industry in new directions. Summary Current debates about sex dolls, sex robots, and personified sex tech frame such devices around the potential for escalation and harm reduction. Although more empirical attention is being paid to users' motivations and experiences, a dearth of research directly addresses these debates. More research in needed to refine theoretical assertions about the potential benefits and harms of human-like and personified sex tech. Specifically, robust quantitative data and samples from outside of Western contexts are needed to better assess how such technologies affect users.

Human–Robot Companionship: Cultural Ideas, Limitations, and Aspirations. An Analysis of Sex Robot Marketing Videos

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2022

Fiona Andreallo

As society moves swiftly towards incorporating an increased number of social robots, the need for a deeper cultural understanding of companionship as a critical social aspect of human–robot connection is urgent. This cultural study examines how three of the most popular and publicly available sex robot marketing videos mobilise the meaning of companionship. Videos of "Roxxxy", “Harmony”, and “Emma” were examined employing a social semiotic discourse analysis based on a long history of identifying how advertisements tap into social and cultural ideals. Companionship is identified as: (i) enjoyed through attention, reliability, usefulness, support, trust, and kindness; (ii) including ideas of long-term commitment and endurance through the mundane, every day, and ordinary aspects of life; (iii) occurring where the meanings of connection for humans and robots are conflated even though they differ for humans and technology; and (iv) a vulnerability for both robot and human. Furthermore, the representations of robot companions remain limited to stereotypical concepts of women; viewers are positioned as desiring a product that claims agency but has none, and is marketed ‘as good as’ a human woman. In all, the representations are complex and far too simple—simple because this is an ideological model of companionship and complex because the ideas of technology are conflated with human–human ideals of companionship. Where technological design aspires towards a better future for humans, there is an urgency to move beyond the limited anthropomorphic cultural concepts presently aspired to in the design and marketing of companion robots.

Sexual Coach in High-Functioning Autism: A Growing Need

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2022
BSRCCS

When individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) reach adulthood, they may experience a set of challenges related to sexual health, dating and romantic relationships [...]

Sex With Robots and Human-Machine Sexualities: Encounters Between Human-Machine Communication and Sexuality Studies

Article

Apr 2022

Marco Dehnert

Sex robots are a controversial topic. Understood as artificial-intelligence enhanced humanoid robots designed for use in partnered and solo sex, sex robots offer ample opportunities for theorizing from a Human-Machine Communication (HMC) perspective. This comparative literature review conjoins the seemingly disconnected literatures of HMC and sexuality studies (SeS) to explore questions surrounding intimacy, love, desire, sex, and sexuality among humans and machines. In particular, I argue for understanding human-machine sexualities as communicative sexuotechnical-assemblages, extending previous efforts in both HMC and SeS for more-than-human, ecological, and more fluid approaches to humans and machines, as well as to sex and sexuality. This essay continues and expands the critical turn in HMC by engaging in an interdisciplinary exercise with theoretical, design, and use/effect implications in the context of sex robots.

The Psychological Implications of Companion Robots: A Theoretical Framework and an Experimental Setup

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2022

In this paper we present a theoretical framework to understand the underlying psychological mechanism involved in human-Companion Robot interactions. At first, we take the case of Sexual Robotics, where the psychological dynamics are more evident, to thereafter extend the discussion to Companion Robotics in general. First, we discuss the differences between a sex-toy and a Sexual Robots, concluding that the latter may establish a collusive and confirmative dynamics with the user. We claim that the collusiveness leads to two main consequences, such as the fixation on a specific and atypical type of sexual interaction, called paraphilic, and to the infantilization of the user, which we explain through the theoretical framework of "object-relation theory". We argue that these dynamics may degrade to an infantile stage the relational abilities of users, extending this argument to Companion Robots in general. Then, we enquire if and how the relational dynamics enacted in HRI may shift to human relations: we discuss the analogy with virtual reality concluding that, under certain condition, a symbolic shift might happen. In the last part of this work, we propose an experimental setup to verify if a collusive and confirmative interaction with a Companion Robot can, over time, impact on the user's ability to manage relational frustration.

Alienation and Recognition: The Δ Phenomenology of the Human–Social Robot Interaction (HSRI)

Article

Full-text available

May 2022

A crucial philosophical problem of social robots is how much they perform a kind of sociality in interacting with humans. Scholarship diverges between those who sustain that humans and social robots cannot by default have social interactions and those who argue for the possibility of an asymmetric sociality. Against this dichotomy, we argue in this paper for a holistic approach called “Δ phenomenology” of HSRI (Human–Social Robot Interaction). In the first part of the paper, we will analyse the semantics of an HSRI. This is what leads a human being (x) to assign or receive a meaning of sociality (z) by interacting with a social robot (y). Hence, we will question the ontological structure underlying HSRIs, suggesting that HSRIs may lead to a peculiar kind of user alienation. By combining all these variables, we will formulate some final recommendations for an ethics of social robots.

Artificial Emotions and Love and Sex Doll Service Workers

Article

Apr 2022
J SERV RES-US

Russell Belk

Realistic looking humanoid love and sex dolls have been available on a somewhat secretive basis for at least three decades. But today the industry has gone mainstream with North American, European, and Asian producers using mass customization and competing on the bases of features, realism, price, and depth of product lines. As a result, realistic life size artificial companions are becoming more affordable to purchase and more feasible to patronize on a service basis. Sexual relations may be without equal when it comes to emotional intimacy. Yet, the increasingly vocal and interactive robotic versions of these dolls, feel nothing. They may nevertheless induce emotions in users that potentially surpass the pleasure of human-human sexual experiences. The most technologically advanced love and sex robots are forecast to sense human emotions and gear their performances of empathy, conversation, and sexual activity accordingly. I offer a model of how this might be done to provide a better service experience. I compare the nature of resulting “artificial emotions” by robots to natural emotions by humans. I explore the ethical issues entailed in offering love and sex robot services with artificial emotions and offer a conclusion and recommendations for service management and for further research.

Exploring the Psychological Characteristics and Risk-related Cognitions of Individuals Who Own Sex Dolls

Article

Feb 2022

The ownership of sex dolls has become an increasingly controversial social issue over the last five to ten years, with many in society (and academia) calling for the criminalization of such dolls. At the root of these calls is the implicit (and often explicit) assumption that sex doll ownership contributes to increases in negative social attitudes toward women, and sexual offense risk among doll owners. However, there are yet to be any empirical examinations of these claims. In this work we compared the psychological characteristics and comparative sexual aggression proclivities of sex doll owners (n = 158) and a non-owner comparison group (n = 135). We found no substantive differences in most psychological traits. Doll owners scored lower than comparators in relation to sexual aggression proclivity. They were, however, more likely to see women as unknowable, the world as dangerous, and have lower sexual self-esteem. They also had more obsessive and emotionally stable personality styles. We conclude that there is no evidence that sex doll owners pose a greater sexual risk than a non-owning comparison group, before highlighting the need for more evidence-informed social debates about the use of sex dolls in modern society.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE APPLICATIONS

Book

Full-text available

Dec 2021

Artificial Intelligence is a set of systems that enable computers with subfields such as evolutionary computing, deep learning, and machine learning to think like humans. Artificial intelligence is used in many fields such as voice recognition, image processing, natural language processing, cyber security, health, agriculture and architecture. Advances in technology have enabled artificial intelligence applications to become ordinary computer functions. It is quite exciting when a machine can emulate human intelligence and automatically interpret complex systems. Being indifferent to this situation and following technology behind is a great loss in terms of personal development. Artificial intelligence technology can be applied to every sector such as accurate and fast medical diagnosis, safe autonomous vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles, social media, food industry, shopping. Today, the general applications of artificial intelligence are machine learning and deep learning-oriented studies. Although it seems nice that algorithms are entering people's lives so much, this situation may be reversed in the coming years. For this reason, it is very important to have information about the applications and studies made in the field of Artificial Intelligence. In this book, examples of work done in the field of Artificial Intelligence, machine learning algorithms, food industry, agriculture and engineering applications are included.

Anticipating Future Scenarios for Sex Robots

Thesis

Full-text available

Jun 2021

Emily natalie Jaworski

At the intersection of social robotics and sex technology, sex robots occupy a unique position within both fields. Sex robots are the only domestic robots where there is a financial incentive to make the robot as life-like as possible, while few other sex devices inspire true scorn and ethical debate. Today's sex robots are rudimentary, they are not nimble, nor can they walk on their own. The “AI personalities" sex robots are outfitted with are akin to smutty versions of the personal assistants found in most smart phones. However, looking twenty, thirty, years down the line, things could shift dramatically for this technology. There is already literature suggesting alternative applications for sex robots, within the fields of healthcare and therapy. Yet there are no clear standards or oversight when it comes to security, privacy, and responsibility within the sex tech industry. In addition, there are campaigns to ban this technology altogether. These factors convene to create an atmosphere of uncertainty surrounding the future of this emerging technology. This paper aims to provide useful insight into a variety of possible outcomes for sex robot technology, by applying the Futures Studies method of scenarios. Four scenarios were created using the Four Archetypes, also known as the Manoa Method, as developed by Jim Dator. These scenarios were informed by primary data collected via interviews and reinforced with existing secondary data from published academic literature. The four scenarios are: Continued Growth - focused on money, growth and capitalism, many job opportunities are created, as are the risks for exploitation. Discipline - a security-minded society and regulatory environment, where sex robots are clinical tools for providing sexual therapies. Collapse - a future where sex robot technology has been globally prohibited, and back-casts events leading up to this ban. Transformation – a community-oriented society open in sexual attitudes, which recognizes the holistic importance of sexual wellbeing over fleeting sexual needs and momentary gratification. Furthermore, a consumer study was done that reveals insight to the needs of potential sex robot owners and disabled users. These scenarios will be useful for manufacturers, policy makers, consumers, researchers, and even those who campaign against sex robots.

Realistic Male Sex Robots With Bionic Penises Will Go On Sale This Year

Article

Jan 2018

Juan Ramos

Sex robots: The irreplaceable value of humanity

Article

Aug 2017

Sixty seconds on . . . sex with robots

Article

Jul 2017

Ingrid Torjesen

Surgical, Therapeutic, Nursing and Sex Robots in Machine and Information Ethics

Article

Sep 2015

Oliver Bendel

Machine medical ethics is a novel field of research for ethicists, philosophers, artificial intelligence experts, information scientists, and medical specialists. I identify surgical, therapeutic, nursing and sex robots as the primary types of medical machines in this context. I raise general questions about machine ethics with a view to its development and application, specific questions about medical machine ethics (the term and concept which I prefer), and broad questions spanning multiple non-machine ethics, including information, technology, business and legal ethics, and interrelationships between these diverse ethics and machine medical ethics. Samples of each type of question are provided in my descriptions of surgical, therapeutic, nursing and sex robots. In particular, progress in information and technology ethics is needed in order to solve moral problems involving medical machines, and progress in machine ethics to prevent some of the problems.

Robots, men and sex tourism

Article

May 2012
FUTURES

In 2050, Amsterdam's red light district will all be about android prostitutes who are clean of sexual transmitted infections (STIs), not smuggled in from Eastern Europe and forced into slavery, the city council will have direct control over android sex workers controlling prices, hours of operations and sexual services. This paper presents a futuristic scenario about sex tourism, discusses the drivers of change and the implications for the future. The paper pushes plausibility to the limit as boundaries of science fiction and fact become blurred in the ever increasing world of technology, consumption and humanity, a paradigm known as liminality.

Socially intelligent robots: Dimensions of human-robot interaction

Article

May 2007

Kerstin Dautenhahn

Social intelligence in robots has a quite recent history in artificial intelligence and robotics. However, it has become increasingly apparent that social and interactive skills are necessary requirements in many application areas and contexts where robots need to interact and collaborate with other robots or humans. Research on human-robot interaction (HRI) poses many challenges regarding the nature of interactivity and 'social behaviour' in robot and humans. The first part of this paper addresses dimensions of HRI, discussing requirements on social skills for robots and introducing the conceptual space of HRI studies. In order to illustrate these concepts, two examples of HRI research are presented. First, research is surveyed which investigates the development of a cognitive robot companion. The aim of this work is to develop social rules for robot behaviour (a 'robotiquette') that is comfortable and acceptable to humans. Second, robots are discussed as possible educational or therapeutic toys for children with autism. The concept of interactive emergence in human-child interactions is highlighted. Different types of play among children are discussed in the light of their potential investigation in human-robot experiments. The paper concludes by examining different paradigms regarding 'social relationships' of robots and people interacting with them.

What the sex robots will teach us

I Kerner

Kerner I. What the sex robots will teach us. CNN [online].

Sex robots promise ‘revolutionary’ service but also risks, says study. The Guardian

H G Siddique

Siddique HG. Sex robots promise 'revolutionary' service but also risks, says study. The Guardian [online]. 2017 https://www. theguardian. com/ technology/ 2017/ jul/ 05/ sex-robots-promiserevolutionary-service-but-also-risks-says-study (accessed 25 Aug 2017).

The asymmetrical ‘relationship’: parallels between prostitution and the development of sex robots

K Richardson

Richardson K. The asymmetrical 'relationship': parallels between prostitution and the development of sex robots. SIGCAS Computers & Society [online] 2015 https:// campaignagainstsexrobots. org/ the-asymmetrical-relationshipparallels-between-prostitution-and-the -de velo pmen t-of-sexrobots/ (accessed 5 Oct 2017).

Supreme court strikes down ban on virtual child pornography. The New York Times

D Stout

Stout D. Supreme court strikes down ban on virtual child pornography. The New York Times [online]. http://www. nytimes. com/ 2002/ 04/ 16/ national/ supreme-court-strikes-downban-on-virtual-child-pornography. html (accessed 06 Oct 2017).