Inside the sex doll factory making custom-designed robots that talk and orgasm
Many people fear the dolls could lead to a rise in sexual violence against women
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Your support makes all the difference.Pictures have been released that reveal the scary lifelikeness of the latest sex robots being created in the US.
However, many people are concerned that the dolls are a dangerous invention and promote the objectification of women.
At Realbotix in San Marcos, San Diego, dolls are created that are so technologically advanced they can “talk” and even simulate orgasm during sex.
What’s more, buyers can customise their robots to an extreme level - they’re able to specify one of 18 character types (including shy, sensual, jealous, moody or talkative), choose from 42 nipple colour options and 14 different labias, which can be removed and washed in the dishwasher.
There are six body shapes on offer, 16 faces and five skin tones, as well as a choice of eye colour, hair, breast size and hand-painted features like freckles and veining. They go up to 5’ 10” tall, and range from 75 to 115 pounds in weight.
If that wasn’t disturbing enough, the dolls can even be programmed to remember their buyer’s taste in food, films and music, their birthday, as well as to tell jokes and recite poetry, all dependent on the owner’s preferences.
Acquiring your own sex robot isn’t cheap though - they can cost up to £11,700.
Matt McMullen is the man behind the robots, having been making silicon sex dolls for 20 years.
As more information about the dolls has been revealed, McMullen has faced increasing criticism from those who believe they’re dangerous.
Critics argue that the dolls could lead to an increase in violence against women, with people using the dolls to practice acts of sexual assault before assaulting real women.
“The whole idea of a sex-capable robot is very contemporary, now and edgy. I get that. But Harmony [one of the robots] is a sophisticated piece of machinery and her primary design is to carry on conversations,” McMullen told the San Diego Union Tribune.
And he went on: “This is not designed to replace anyone or promote the objectification of women. Robots don’t have rights.”
The robots are, however, undeniably creepy in their lifelike manner - they blink, raise their eyebrows and change facial expressions.
Harmony is thought to be the most advanced human-style robot ever made, and is programmed to stop “talking” if any “conversation” arises involving murder or violence.
Most of the orders McMullen receives are for female dolls, but there are male and transgender options too.
He says they already have a 12-week backlog of orders.
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