Sexualisation of Artificial Humanoids

[InformedIgnorance]

For the purposes of this discussion I was looking to examine non-'intelligent' artificial humanoids (but please feel free to comment on the other provided that you identify which you speak of)

For those that are not aware, there has been a very large degree of focus on developing artificial humanoids which have a massive potential array of possible applications in all sorts of jobs particularly where a human like interface is required for customer service. One such application that has been touted is that of the sex service industry.

Spoiler: you tube clips

[youtube]hKAkLUd1jFg[/youtube]
Roboticist explores nature of humanity - YouTube
[youtube]eAuam8iiH3Q[/youtube]
Female Android Sex Toy In Japan - YouTube
[youtube]3_2h0-h9M0I[/youtube]
Android brothels: robot prostitutes could replace humans by 2050 - YouTube

What do you think of this sort of development? Do you think it would be a detriment to society (such as encouraging the objectification of people, reducing the role of humans within society and therefore the capacity of the average person to secure income)? Do you think it may alleviate some existing societal ills (such as exploitation, rape, STDs)? Do you think sex-bots are inherently different than other sorts of adult toys (such as vibrators)?

BTW For those more interested in the artificial human aspect than the robot sex aspect, Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro (the guy who made the robots in the first two clips) has an interesting discussion on the issue:

Spoiler: You tube Lecture by Prof Hiroshi Ishiguro

[youtube]g3rR1WJ1vFc[/youtube]
Lecture: Prof Hiroshi Ishiguro - YouTube

 

[Revoltingest]

Bring on the fembots I say!
They can be programmed to need to make me a sammich instead of wanting to cuddle after 45 seconds of bliss.
They can also be programmed to actually believe the false praise I expect.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Japan. :0)

 

[apophenia]

Some of those androids have some very nasty viruses. They could destroy your hard drive if you don't have adequate protection.

 

[Straw Dog]

Bring on the fembots I say!

Not if they have machine gun jubblies!

 

[outis]

Do you think it would be a detriment to society (such as encouraging the objectification of people, reducing the role of humans within society and therefore the capacity of the average person to secure income)? Do you think it may alleviate some existing societal ills (such as exploitation, rape, STDs)?

No, and no. Only a small share of the sexual uses of homo sapiens is potentially serviceable by robots anyway.
More generally, robots aren't "reducing the role of humans within society", much less "the capacity of the average person to secure income" which is just bad populist economics. Coutries which have lots of robots today are countries where average persons are immigrating to (or within, in the case of China which has legal barriers to immigration within its borders). Lots of well-paying jobs there.

 

[Father Heathen]

Brrrrr, a tad disturbing and creepy.

Besides, robotics and artificial intelligence are both a long way away from adequately mimicking humans, so ultimately they're just flashy, over-priced blow-up dolls.

 

[Revoltingest]

Not if they have machine gun jubblies!

I don't buy my fembots from Dr Evil.

 

[Breathe]

Uncanny Valley. Sorry.

 

[Straw Dog]

I don't buy my fembots from Dr Evil.

Good call.

Robots freak me out nonetheless. I don't even trust those autovacs. I swear one tried to trip me on purpose once.

 

[Revoltingest]

Good call.
Robots freak me out nonetheless. I don't even trust those autovacs. I swear one tried to trip me on purpose once.

They're still safer than real female types.

 

[Straw Dog]

They're still safer than real female types.

Perhaps. I just expect to hear horror stories in the future about fembots eviscerating dudes, which would put them around about the same degree of danger so it's a tough call I guess.

 

[Straw Dog]

If normal humans are a little crazy, then any humanoid we create is just going to be extra special crazy. What happens when they become fully self-aware and want a committed relationship?

You can break up with a normal person with just "Hey! I never want to see you ever again. Goodbye!" :sad4: but what if that does not compute with the fembot?

I mean, imagine an angry ex-girlfriend. Now imagine that they're also a sociopathic synthetic humanoid.

 

[Wherenextcolumbus]

The second video "They are making a female robot! Of course she is going to be used for sex!"
First video "This female robot has been used at a hospital to give patients company"