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Phoenix666 [soylentnews.org] writes:

The creators of Pepper the 'emotional robot' have forbidden users from 'having sex' with it [dailymail.co.uk], creating 'sexy apps' for it or reprogramming it to stalk people.

One thousand people paid £1,300 to buy the 'companion bot' within one minute of it going on sale in Japan this June, and then £250-a-month in rent.

Japan-based SoftBank included a clause in the ownership contract which said using the robot for 'the purpose of sexual or indecent behavior' breaks this rental agreement.

Disturbingly, computer pranksters have already reprogrammed the iPad hanging from its neck to give Pepper 'virtual breasts' which makes it shake its hips and moan when touched.

It has reignited the debate around so-called 'sexbots', with one roboticist telling MailOnline that machines which humans can realistically fall in love with are only 'years away'.

In a special holiday bonus, the summary is the article, less the pictures. The observant can read it now, and atone tomorrow. Others can debate whether the submission ought to have been categorized as 'hardware' or 'software.'

Original Submission