Sex Robot Allows Men To Simulate Rape

Technology may not always be put to good use. ‘Roxxxy TrueCompanion’ is a robot which you can simulate raping.

You can program the ‘Frigid Farrah’ setting, described as reserved and shy on the company’s website. The website says that if you touch her in a private area, she will not be appreciative of your advance. She will not consent and the website says that their robots allow everyone to realise their most private sexual dreams.

Young Yoko is another robot which is being criticised. She is described as "oh so you (barely 18) and waiting for you to teach her”.

The Foundation for Responsible Robotics has warned of numerous ethical implications of this kind of sexual behaviour. They say that these kinds of sex robots could increase the objectification of women, and alter perception of consent.

At the same time, these robots could help people who find it difficult to have intimate relationships. One of the paper's authors’ Professor Noel Sharkey said that some people say it is better they rape a robot than other people. There are other people saying this would encourage rapists more.

There also fears that child sex robots could be created, and Sharkey thinks that this could encourage paedophilia.

The trend of sex robots is on the rise. A study by the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany found that more than 40 per cent of the 263 heterosexual men surveyed said they could imagine using a sex robot. In Japan, men are even claiming to fall in love with lifelike dolls. The dolls look real and it feels like you are touching human skin, says Hideo Tsuchiya, the managing director of doll manufacturer, Orient Industry.

Around 2,000 of these dolls are sold in Japan each year. California-based company Abyss Creations ships over 600 of these dolls worldwide.

These robots present an ethical dilemma: Sexual consent is a must, but these robots cannot give their consent because they are inanimate. Yet, they emulate real women, and position women as objects and sex toys.

So what do you think? Should these kinds of robots be banned?

Also Read: Afghanistan’s All-Girl Robotics Team Denied US Visa