Where there's a Market ...

As discussed in an earlier post, the yearning to spread ones genetic material is one of the most deep-seated of all human instincts. This naturally leads many people to desire to procreate, as often as possible, even if steps have been taken to avoid the spreading of genetic material during said procreation. In fact, the urge to procreate is often so strong that even in the absence of a sex partner, people will still find ways of satisfying it. It is in the service of these people, those who, for whatever reason find themselves without a willing co-gene-spreader that the market has responded with perhaps the ultimate possible solution; the Android Sex Doll.

When I was a nerdy kid, the sci-fi stories of the day painted a number of vivid scenarios in which the android of the future would be employed, from mega-soldier to incredibly patient super-teacher, but the future has (as usual) turned out to be a somewhat sleazier place than most of us ever imagined as kids. Just as most of the great advances in web technology were made in support of the emerging cyber-porn industry, it seems our most practical steps towards commercially-realizable human-replica robotics are being taken in the name of erotic anthropomorphism.

Abyss Creations in Southern California have been in the business since 1996, "using Hollywood special effects technology to produce the most realistic love doll in the world". These things are amazingly lifelike, and if domination is your thing this may well be your perfect partner as these things are as submissive as it comes. Though their titanium skeleton perfectly replicates the functioning of the human skeleton, and they can be posed in any position a standard human can, they don't actually move ... yet ... but the company assures us it won't be long before their products will have the ability to talk, blink and buck "just like the real thing".

Of course, when it comes to technology the Japanese are always a step ahead. In 2003 the Kokoro company released the Actroid; which was "developed to recreate the human-like natural yet charming expressions with high functionalities retained." The Actroid has 47 actuators in its body which are controlled by compressed air and enable the android to mimic natural, human-like movements to a truly remarkable extent. They can blink, breathe and are able to recognise and process speech and respond in kind.

There is even such a thing as Robot Fetishism, with its very own Wikipedia page, and many devotees who refer to themselves as Technosexuals.

In case you're wondering whether anyone has yet built a completely functional, walking talking android yet ... one that perfectly replicates a human being, the answer is - sadly - no. This technological marvel is still a little way off. But you can be sure plenty of very smart people are working on it, and as soon as the perfect android has been developed I'm prepared to lay bets on it seeing far more action in the bedroom than fighting our wars or teaching our kids.