Goodbye loneliness, hello companion robot! How do physical dolls change human sexuality?

From the movie "Star Wars" to "Terminator" to "Transformers", from the American TV series "Cyberdoll" to "Friends", we have all been exposed to the sci-fi world of how robots interact with humans. But as technology advances, robots are appearing faster than we expected.

 

There is reason to believe that by the end of the 2020s, robots will be as ubiquitous as cell phones are today. They've gone into space, been used in military applications, and help manage farms and livestock remotely, as well as surgical robots in the medical field, escort robots in the elderly care industry, and many more. But one particular type of robot deserves special mention for addressing another hidden, unmet need of the general population — emotion.

 

socializing and loneliness

 

While technology has narrowed the communication gap, loneliness continues to amplify and is expected to become a global epidemic. The link between physical and mental health is well established, for example, people with depression are 1.6 times more likely to develop other physical illnesses. Loneliness is a growing problem around the world, with the number of people who consider themselves lonely rising from 20% in the 1980s to 40%, and one-third of older people and half of people over 85 live alone. Loneliness and suicide are linked, with loneliness the most common contributing factor in people who attempt suicide.

 

Positioning: Companion

 

Most of people's visions of future robots are that they can help with housework and free their hands. In the process, a bolder idea emerged: a partner. It’s not just about chores, it’s about connecting on an emotional level, even in bed.

 

Physical and mental pleasure releases neurotransmitters called endorphins, which help activate the pleasure centers of the brain and promote relaxation throughout the body. On an emotional level, companionship also implies feelings of intimacy and a deep connection, which may help reduce stress and thus help people feel "less alone."

 

By one count, the sex tech industry is worth over $30 billion and growing. Advances in technology and manufacturing have met the need for life-size humanoid dolls, and coupled with today's advances in artificial intelligence, speech recognition, facial recognition, motion sensing, and electronics, creating a living physical doll companion is a reality .

 

Companion robots are in high demand

 

Companion robots are in high demand, especially among existing physical doll owners. This also begs the question - why is the demand so high?

 

To find the answer, I dug deeper and came up with some simple insights:

 

One, people who are socially challenged or excluded for other reasons, who need recognition; and second, the bereaved and the elderly, who preserve the memory of their loved one by creating a replica of their deceased partner, or Using robots to accompany them is a real need for such robots; secondly, long-distance couples may use such robots to maintain intimacy, but this is more likely to happen in the future; to choose these artificial non-living things.

 

Companionship, not just sex?

 

The outrageous discussion surrounding physical doll companions may mask a real underlying need, the desire for companionship. For most, it fills an emotional void, either social isolation, bereavement, or an unfulfilling marital relationship. In Japan, more and more people are buying physical dolls, and an article on the topic quotes a 43-year-old Japanese man as saying: "For me now, it's more about connecting on an emotional level." .”

 

The need for an intimate partner is significant and growing, to have someone "waiting" at home, ready to "listen" to all problems, no complaints, unconditional love, to be the dominant. While there was no such option in the past, technological advances have made loving, talking inanimate robots a suitable option.

 

weigh the pros and cons

 

Companion robots are certainly an interesting topic, but what are their real benefits, and do their benefits outweigh the risks? A major divide was the minority who felt that companion robots could help prevent social sex crimes. To many, this seems unlikely. On the other hand, some people think that the relationship between sex and robots is more likely to isolate the social relationship between people, making it impossible for people to establish normal interpersonal relationships. While long-term use of companion robots may reduce the user's intimacy and empathy, emotional development can only be achieved through human interaction.

 

Instead, companion robots may have advantages in meeting the needs of singles and couples, in a safer way, taking advantage of anonymity and avoiding the risks of accidents and spreading disease. In the long run, the role and use of these robots will change dramatically with the arrival of millennials, and it remains to be seen whether companionship and intimacy will still matter. The impact of this technology could have knock-on effects for related industries, and it remains to be seen whether the physical doll industry will continue to thrive if companion robots take their rightful place in the ecosystem.

 

in conclusion

 

Can physical dolls alleviate loneliness? A trend in Japanese physical dolls may suggest that the answer is yes. But for wider adoption, at least in its current form, several ethical, cultural and moral issues will need to be addressed. A change in cultural perceptions will be necessary in order for physical dolls to become the next level of companion robots, not to mention adjustments to the ability of these robots to provide emotional rather than just physical companionship.






--Reprinted from the public account: Entity doll combat experience