Experts say sexbots to be reality soon

■ California-based company to market sex life-like robots

London, Dec. 22: Sex with robots is “just around the corner”, an expert told a global conference in London this week featuring interactive sex toys and discussions on the ethics of relationships with humanoids.

“Sexbots” are a staple of science fiction — the idea of robots as sex partners is explored, for instance, in recent films and television series like Ex Machina and Westworld.

But some specialists believe the first animated lovers made of metal, rubber and plastic, programmed to provide sexual bliss, will take a step into reality just months from now.

“Sex with robots is just around the corner, with the first sexbots coming... some time next year,” Artificial Intelligence expert David Levy told the International Congress on Love and Sex with Robots at Goldsmiths, University of London.

US California-based company Abyss Creations next year will start marketing sex robots that are billed as life-like, with the ability to talk and move like humans. Ultimately, Levy said, people should entertain the thought of marriage with robots as early as 2050.

The conference in London showcased some of the latest developments in robotic sex toys, such as gadgets which allow couples to kiss, no matter how far apart they are.

The “Kissenger”, which attaches to your phone, contains sensors to detect the pressure of a kiss and transmit it to your partner’s device in real time.