The idea of your partner having sex with a robot might sound like the stuff of nightmares.
But a new report has revealed that a quarter of people wouldn’t mind – albeit with an important caveat.
They would only excuse the tryst if the robot was modelled after them.
Researchers from ZipHealth surveyed 1,000 people to understand how artificial intelligence (AI) is redefining intimacy and sexual health.
‘How much trust would you place in artificial intelligence for your most personal concerns?’ the team wrote in a blog.
‘A recent ZipHealth survey of 1,000 people reveals surprising attitudes about AI’s growing role in relationships, from diagnosing sexual health issues to replacing human companionship.’
Sex robots are often confused with sex dolls – sex toys that are the same size and shape as a human.
However, sex robots are much more sophisticated, and so come with a much heftier price tag.
The idea of your partner having sex with a robot might sound like the stuff of nightmares. But a new report has revealed that a quarter of people wouldn’t mind – albeit with an important caveat. They would only excuse the tryst if the robot was modelled after them (AI impression)
One in four respondents said they would be comfortable with their partner being intimate with a sex robot modelled after themselves (AI impression)
For the study, ZipHealth surveyed 1,000 people with an average age of 40.
Fifty-four per cent were male, 44 per cent were female, and two per cent were non-binary.
The results revealed that one in four respondents said they would be comfortable with their partner being intimate with a sex robot modelled after themselves.
Men were considerably more likely than women to think this was ok.
However, two in five people said they’d consider it cheating if their partner was intimate with a bot – even if it looked like them.
Several companies around the world are working on sex robots, including AI robotics firm, Realbotix, which unveiled two sex robots called Henry and Harmony 3.0 to the world in 2018.
Henry not only boasts ‘superhuman sexual performance’, but is also apparently good at cracking jokes.
At 6ft tall with a rippling six-pack and brooding dark looks, the droid can also welcome his owner home and discuss their favourite TV show or film, according to its creators.
Several companies around the world are working on sex robots, including AI robotics firm, Realbotix, which unveiled two sex robots called Henry and Harmony 3.0 to the world in 2018. Henry not only boasts ‘superhuman sexual performance’, but is also apparently good at cracking jokes
He can even woo them with romantic phrases and words to their favourite love poem or song.
However, Henry isn’t cheap, costing between £8,000 and £11,000 ($9,940 – $13,668) depending on optional extras.
Meanwhile, Harmony 3.0 is priced at £11,700 ($14,551) and features a self-lubricating vagina which can be removed and put in the dishwasher.
Speaking to the Daily Star, Matt McMullen, CEO of Realbotix, said: ‘Customers will be able to get a body equipped with internal heating, lubrication and touch sensors.
‘Those touch sensors will communicate with the AI so that you are able to create reactions in both movement and sound.’
Mr McMullen claims that sex with robots could help to improve skills in the bedroom, by making people less afraid to be adventurous.
He said: ‘Having sex with the robot is only going to help you with your skills.
‘It will get you to last longer in bed, try different positions and be more adventurous.’
He even suggests interactions with robots will go beyond sex, and that men could seduce, charm and chat with the sex robot.
However, other experts have expressed concerns that sex with robots could become addictive.
Joel Snell, a robotics expert from Kirkwood College in Iowa, said: ‘Robotic sex may become addictive.
‘Sexbots would always be available and could never say no, so addictions would be easy to feed.
‘People will rearrange their lives to accommodate their addictions.’
