Curiosity and other attitudes towards sex robots: Results of an online survey

Abstract

As artificial intelligence and technology advance, mobile robots capable of human intimacy are an inevitable consequence of this progress. Such a profound shift in sexual technology will herald both advantages and disadvantages for human intimate relationships, yet a paucity of research exists on the study of human-robot sexual relationships. We believe a greater understanding of attitudes toward sex robots will be of value as this emerging technology progresses from its currently incipient stage. We conducted an online survey exploring potential gender differences in attitudes and opinions about sex robots. Survey responses were analyzed by gender, age, relationship status, relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction. Results confirm our hypothesis, that men report more positive reactions to sex with robots than women. Indeed, on no question did women report more enthusiasm or optimism about the arrival of sex robots than did men. This conclusion begs the question, what will sex robots mean to the future of gender relations, and in particular, sexual relationships? Engaging one another in a dialogue about the increasing impact technology will have on human intimacy can only strengthen our efforts to mold its effect into a primarily positive one. In addition, it is our expectation that dialogue about these gender differences can assist psychologists, sex therapists, anthropologists, roboticists and couples in navigating technological advancements as they increasingly impact human intimacy. Indeed, this dialogue may be increasingly urgent as the sudden and severe impact of COVID-19 raises increasing safety concerns for human/human sexual relationships.

Digital Lovers and Jealousy: Anticipated Emotional Responses to Emotionally and Physically Sophisticated Sexual Technologies

“…These findings contrast with evolutionary prediction 2 that males-at least those in heterosexual relationships-are more likely to be jealous of their partner being physically intimate with another person than women are [38,[71][72][73]. Instead, they are consistent with evidence that males are more positive than females to the idea of physically sophisticated sex technologies like sex robots [57,60].…”

“…New or near-future artificially intimate technologies that deliver sophisticated emotional or physical engagement create new opportunities both for jealousy and for the study of how jealousy arises. Recent studies have shown that both participant sex [28,57,60] and the apparent "sex" of the technology [28] can influence how a participant anticipates the prospect of artificially intimate technologies, including how they anticipate jealousy. Even though these technolo-gies lack both their own interests and agency (but see [61]), they can appear to have both, and they offer a far more extensive user experience than older technologies like vibrators and social media platforms.…”

Chisi Chako Masimba Mashoma/Kunzi Pakata Sandi Kunzi Ridza: Anthropological Musings on the Coloniality of Dispossession in Africa

“…The point is that such humanoid sex robots are meant to dispossess Africans of their human spouses, who are thereby replaced with such humanoid sex robots. Brandon et al (2022, p. 11) write thus:Our results confirmed that men consistently report more positive reactions to sex with robots than women . .…”

“…In this regard, scare tactics were used to dispossess colonized peoples of their marriages and now colonialists are using bait tactics to market artificially intelligent humanoid sex robots such that those among the colonized who abandoned their marriages can now marry or buy humanoid sex robots to replace their original human spouses (Nhemachena, 2021b). Global capital is now manufacturing humanoid sex robots to replace human spouses, companion sex robots are being created and sold across the world, and sex dolls are being produced to replace original human spouses (Adekanye, 2020; Aoki & Kimura, 2021; Arafat & Kar, 2021; Brandon et al, 2022). Humanoid sex robots and sex dolls are being marketed in Africa on the assumption that Africans do not possess human spouses or companions and that therefore they must buy humanoid sex robots or sex dolls.…”

The Potential Use of Sex Robots in Adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders: A Theoretical Framework

“…Many studies have shown that the sex robot market is targeted almost exclusively at male consumers [ 45 , 46 , 47 ]. Furthermore, our society often has a limited view about female sexuality and reduces it to the procreational sphere.…”