When robots are better lovers: the evolution of robophilia

Could robots redefine love and intimacy? As advancements in AI and robotics continue, the idea of falling for a robot is becoming less far-fetched – and maybe even desirable.

When you broach an intimate request to your lover, don't you have to delicately approach the topic in such a way that they’d appreciate your compassion and sensitivity? It can truly feel like walking on eggshells. But not with a robot. You could skip any prickly discourse and get straight to it.

Back in 2016, when futurologist Dr. Ian Pearson predicted that women would be having more sex with robots than men by 2025, many thought he was crazy.

Factor in that he forecast that by 2050, intimacy with robots would become more preferable than with humans, and we’re due an audit check on the stats.

According to Bedbible.com, about 15.3% of adults in the US claim to have had sex with a robot, which seems awfully high. And while I’d question the sample size of this – apparently they questioned 10,000 adults in 2022 – it’ll most likely sneak higher over the coming years.

Another key takeaway is that a whopping 47% believe that sex robots will replace lovers in the future. Forget that they’re taking our jobs – they’re fertilizing our eggs too!

The Daily Mail recently got back in touch with Dr. Pearson, who is purporting the idea of women overtaking men in the use of sexbots, citing the fact that vibrators have been around for over a century.

It’s a fair point that also puts forth the possibility that sexbots could indeed be used in conjunction with a human lover and may not be strictly binary.

The statistics also show that 40% of women consider that virtual reality would be a tempting proposition in terms of having some hanky panky, so when cataloging these statistics it seems that the sexual momentum is shifting towards robots.

The question remains however whether one doctor's vision can actually become commonplace.

We reached out to one expert, Sofie Roos, a licensed sexologist and relationship expert from Malmo, Sweden had this to say about the sex dolls already on the market:

“The sex dolls already look very realistic, and when that area develops even more, and when you’re able to create an extremely realistic version of your dream man that moves, speaks, is warm, has your dream penis, and so on, you’ll not only get turned on by him but also be more able to fall in love!”

Where once it seemed to be a Japanese salaryman stereotype – having virtual girlfriends – it now certainly seems that Dr. Pearson’s prediction is showing the tables may indeed be turning in the West.

Factor in an 85% cost reduction in sexbots, from $24,000 in 2010 to around $3,500 now, and it might not be too difficult to find yourself a bargain.

Whether or not sex and love with a robot will open up intimacy again in a largely overworked population remains to be seen. On one hand, it could allow a newfound appreciation for touch and intimacy, and on the other could be seen as eroding the human connection.

Perhaps the ease of interacting with a robot really is the best way to cut through the messiness of human interaction. Especially in a world where we’re becoming more like droids ourselves – why not get it on with one?