AI-assisted ‘companion doll’ known as Emily dubbed ‘the way forward for intercourse toys’
The sex robot, called Emily, responds to being touched, remembers conversations and can even send text messages and AI-generated selfies to users in a development said to “redefine intimacy”
Emily will “redefine intimacy”, bosses say(Image: Lovense)
A tech company says it has created the future of sex toys – an AI “companion doll” called Emily. Lovesense’s $8,000 (£5,800) life-size silicone sex robot promises users the chance to “experience an AI companion relationship becoming physical“.
Emily “pays attention” to the way users talk and share with her, which shapes how she thinks, acts and who she becomes, the firm says. She also has a generative voice and responds with words and facial expressions.
Bosses say the versatile robot will “redefine intimacy” and it can portray more than one personality, stay in touch with users via a Bluetooth control app that allows her to send text messages and AI-generated selfies on request.
It has built-in sensors in its breasts, bum and vagina and moans when it is touched in those areas, according to the company’s website. It also has soft textured skin and supple curves.
An advert reads: “Everything about me is meant to feel natural. Interlace my fingers, fold my arms into your embrace, then spread my legs… Enjoy my flexible physique in any position you can imagine.”
The firm’s director of strategic development Niall Hopkinson said: “Evidence shows loneliness and isolation are defining challenges of our time.
“Even from the early days of AI with programs like Eliza, AI companions have been shown to increase expressiveness with users opening up, feeling free to share emotions and articulate feelings they might otherwise suppress.
“Our internal research has supported these claims. And it is this drive to make change in the face of these shocking statistics that led us to act, resulting in the birth of Emily.
“While Emily can offer pleasure, her true purpose is to provide emotional and mental stimulation, supporting people to build their social confidence over time.”
Emily was first revealed at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this month. No release date has been confirmed but there company is taking pre-orders. Users can specify characteristics such as skin and hair colour and reserve one for $200 (£160).
A video from the tech exhibition shows the doll in the flesh, with Emily responding to commands such as flashing a smile. The doll is capable of holding conversations, remembering past interactions and adapting its personality to user’s liking over time.
The Singapore-based company’s website says Emily can “redefine intimacy” and help users build confidence through “judgment-free connection and safe, intimate expression through exploration.”
It comes with a battery life of around eight hours on standby or three hours of use and is powered by three 3500 mAh removable batteries.
Niall added: “Emily is capable of having conversations and expressing feelings. She has rich facial expressions that create a realistic and genuine human encounter. Emily can even remember conversations, so each encounter fosters unique connection.
“She is not just a thoughtful listener, but a companion providing a barrier from loneliness and eventually leading people out of their comfort zones to engage with real people in a more confident and uplifting manner.
“Emily is built with an AI that allows her some agency to demonstrate natural connection. She is more intelligent than other bots with an adaptable personality.
“Unlike other bots, Emily has been created alongside our collective research on topics such as intimacy, self-esteem, and human bonding. This is alongside Emily’s high-quality textures and structure which helps to create an environment that resembles reality.”
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