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from the what-are-these-girls-you-speak-of? dept.
RealDoll, after almost 20 years of selling "the world's finest love doll," is developing an animated, robotic, artificially intelligent head that can be switched onto existing RealDoll bodies. The purpose, according to RealDoll's founder and CEO Matt McMullen, is to "arouse someone on an emotional, intellectual level, beyond the physical."
If you haven't heard of RealDoll before, the company makes expensive ($5,000-$10,000, £3,200-£6,400) but very realistic sex dolls. The dolls (which come in male and female varieties) have fully poseable skeletons, silicone skin, and are roughly the same weight and size as a real human. The dolls have interchangeable faces and orifices.
The reality that Westworld and AI imagined decades ago has arrived. What are the ethical implications? Would you be willing to use one?
Original Submission
(Score: 3, Funny) by VLM on Tuesday June 16 2015, @01:17PM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_2000 [wikipedia.org]
Somewhat more seriously I could see this completely replacing most female entertainers, music, TV, etc. Could "she" read the news cheaper and better than existing news readers? Could she lip sync to someone elses music while dancing cheaper than the existing models?
roughly the same weight and size as a real human
As a hot one, not a people of walmart one. See recent story about average woman of 2015 being heavier than average man of 1960. Although special orders will likely be available.
Also see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_34_%28novel%29 [wikipedia.org]
Specifically the products the toymaker sells from his suitcase. It'll be interesting to see if those are made illegal or not. For spoiler reasons I can't mention what was in the suitcase, but, just think about the book title. It is interesting to think about, if the level of AI is "kid like" then what does that imply?
an animated, robotic, artificially intelligent head that can be switched onto existing RealDoll bodies
As per above can you put two on one body, or strap one on to a standard issue human? That could be handy. Or is that heady? If the artificial head is booted up but the human one is unconscious drunk would that be consent? Or if the head is powered off but the human is awake, hmm. I guess it'll depend on if the owner of the fun parts is online or not.
Aside from XXX related issues, any level of intellectual at all, mounted on a secondary head, would improve many politicians and leaders.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by GreatAuntAnesthesia on Tuesday June 16 2015, @02:23PM
Veering off-topic here...
Apart from Westworld, AI and Cherry 2000, another candidate for "humanoid robots in the sex industry" fiction would be the brand new Humans [channel4.com] from Channel 4. You can probably watch Episode 1 from that link, UK-based IP address may or may not be required. First episode was pretty good, with heavy nods to "I, Robot" and potential to be a really interesting series. Also a pleasure to see Katherine Parkinson (Jen from the IT Crowd) in a serious role, she's very good.
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Tuesday June 16 2015, @03:51PM
It may be that it will not play on linux.. will not work without UK ip, and will not work with VPN UK ip address so i guess it is not linux compatible?
Pity....
do i have to go see if it is on torrents and download illegally??? Is that what you want Corporations? Is it? Really????
Jen?... Jen??? I have a nice pair of red pumps for you! Size two sizes too small!!!
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 4, Funny) by VLM on Tuesday June 16 2015, @05:28PM
You writing about the robot or GAA's TV show? Reads likely either way.
We're gonna be having conversations like: "The goatse adapter is DRMed to only work on windows 8.1, appropriately enough, and if thats not bad enough it also wants to install ASK toolbar"
I can't wait to see the Apple iSexRobot which will probably come with a black turtleneck sweater and when it doesn't work you'll get press releases about holding it wrong.
(Score: 2) by Rich on Tuesday June 16 2015, @08:19PM
I can't wait to see the Apple iSexRobot ...
Apple doesn't need to ship such a thing. With their pricing you get completely screwed over before you've even dropped your pants.
(I own a fully decked-out RMBP)
(Score: 2) by present_arms on Tuesday June 16 2015, @08:26PM
Hola extension will get around geolocation fairly well :)
http://trinity.mypclinuxos.com/
(Score: 2) by Tork on Tuesday June 16 2015, @11:12PM
🏳️🌈 Proud Ally 🏳️🌈
(Score: 2) by archshade on Wednesday June 17 2015, @05:48PM
It may be that it will not play on Linux.
I use the channel 4 catch up service regularly on Linux with no real problems. One small issue I had to enable hal service. Need certain JS and Flash. I do have a UK ip though
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Wednesday June 17 2015, @09:59PM
I have the flash...will have to check js. Thanks!
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 2) by archshade on Wednesday June 17 2015, @10:35PM
I have allowed JS from the following domains.
Although the real key is starting the hal service (I'm using arch and needed to install it from yaourt). Without hal the video just loads forever. Also just in case I am using palemoon, but have tried it with chromium w/pepperflash and that also worked.
YMMV HTH
(Score: 3, Informative) by darnkitten on Tuesday June 16 2015, @07:16PM
If you like Humans, you might want to try Äkta människor (Real humans), the Swedish series it was based on. Season 1 is available on Amazon. Very good.
(Score: 4, Funny) by DeathMonkey on Tuesday June 16 2015, @04:59PM
If the artificial head is booted up but the human one is unconscious drunk would that be consent? Or if the head is powered off but the human is awake, hmm. I guess it'll depend on if the owner of the fun parts is online or not.
I don't know, but he's been described as "the best Bang since the Big One" by Eccentrica Gallumbits, and as "one hoopy frood" by others.
(Score: 1) by DutchUncle on Tuesday June 16 2015, @05:35PM
>> Could "she" read the news cheaper and better than existing news readers?
And could she tell you 'bout a plane crash with a gleam in her eye?