Houston opposes ‘robot’ brothel United States

A so-called robot brothel a Canadian company wants to open in Texas is getting pushback from officials and community groups, with the mayor saying the city is reviewing whether public safety and health issues are involved,

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said he’s not trying to be the ‘‘moral police’’ but this is not the type of business he wants opening in the city.

‘‘We do need to be very mindful of what comes into our city and what our children and others may be exposed to. So I want to be very sensitive to that,’’ Turner said.

Kinkysdolls announced last month on its Facebook page that it plans on opening a ‘‘love dolls brothel’’ in Houston. It would be the company’s second location. The first location opened in 2017 in Toronto.

On its social media pages, Kinkysdolls says its human-like dolls, which can speak and feel warm to the touch, are available for sale or rent.

Turner said he had asked the city’s legal and health departments to review all ordinances, including those related to sexually-oriented businesses, to see if any of them will cover this type of business.

The city may have to amend current ordinances or create a new one ‘‘to limit or regulate these types of businesses’’.

Issues Houston officials are reviewing about the proposed robot brothel include whether it has to be located a certain distance away from schools, day care centres and churches – like other sexually-oriented businesses – and health concerns related to any reuse and cleaning of the dolls. –