Ban sex robots, say robotics ethicists

He created the RealDoll business — realistic, customisable and anatomically correct adult-size dolls.

Some call them sex dolls. 

His next step: Creating Realbotix —​ humanoid robots.

With the help of artificial intelligence (AI), sex dolls may soon be able to talk with an illusion of sentience. Possibly even think for themselves — and this is raising concern.

The New York Times reported that Matt McMullen believes such robots will be a good thing for our sex lives.

His main concern at the moment is that the AI does not create inappropriate responses while the doll is "in use".

In a Times video, McMullen said: "I think we have to be careful with that. Getting the doll confused and saying some things that make no sense. That could ruin the whole build up and you'll never want to go to the bedroom because you think 'My Gosh, my doll's dumb'."

A fully undressed AI prototype sex doll featured in a New York Times video

However, robot ethicists have launched a campaign calling for the ban on the development of sex robots.

They claim that these 'sexbots' as unnecessary and undesirable technology which could seriously damage human relationships.

The Campaign Against Sex Robots states that the development of these sex robots only 'further objectifies women and children'.

Campaign Leader, Dr Kathleen Richardson of De Montford University in the UK, told 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."

"We think that the creation of such robots will contribute to detrimental relationships."

According to Dr Helen Driscoll, a sex psychologist, "As we spend more time in virtual reality and living alone, this will lead to increased mental health problems."

But the idea that sexbots are almost a reality has excited some people:

 

 

 

 

Sources: BBC, The New York Times