The Sex Robots Are Coming film followed the private lives of several American couples, documenting the highs and lows of relationships involving an extra, plastic and robotic participant, as well as those who form unexpected emotional attachments to their mechanical companions.
The dolls are the work of California-based company Realbotix, which incorporates Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to create mannequins intended to move and speak with their owners in a naturalistic fashion.
Despite starting out as only a sex toy many owners can develop a deep emotional attachment#TheSexRobotsAreComing pic.twitter.com/DVbk6gFUqq
— Channel 4 (@Channel4) November 30, 2017
Is this the strangest present you could ever get someone?#TheSexRobotsAreComing pic.twitter.com/kjbIag9ecW
— Channel 4 (@Channel4) November 30, 2017
The documentary provoked a highly varied reaction on social media — some viewers were outraged by what they saw as further evidence of the objectification of women, given the dolls are designed to be physically perfect, submissive and obedient.
Trying to explain to a man that this is anti-feminist. A man wants to “own” a woman who is at will to have sex whenever they want and they don’t have their own opinions to verbalise 🤔 #thesexrobotsarecoming
— Amy (@xamyx89x) November 30, 2017
Further reinforced the idea that women are objects for male pleasure. Absolutely appalling. Distasteful doesn't cut it. #Channel4 #TheSexRobotsAreComing
— Colleen Rattigan (@colleenrattigan) November 30, 2017
Others including the partners of some doll-users featured on the show seemed to view the dolls purely as 'toys' and not an attempt to substitute a person's human spouse or partner. The devices could also be said to benefit those suffering loneliness and social isolation.
FWIW, humans already do this: military tests have been stopped because people feel treatment of bomb disposal robots is 'inhumane', patients with dementia build relationships with cuddly robot seals, people get attached to their Roombas https://t.co/Ow3WtYOJ6w
— Girl on the Net (@girlonthenet) November 30, 2017
Tamagotchis. Furbies. My magic wand is called Talulah. When my steam mop doesn't work I reassure her with pats. Humans will bond with ANYTHING.
— Captain Pyjamas (@Captain_Pyjamas) November 30, 2017
There's a programme on channel 4 called 'The sex robots are coming' and I'm just happy that there's still hope for me.
— Sophie (@sophj91) November 30, 2017
Y’all females feel so threatened lmao femininity is so fragile
— AYYY 🎄🎄 (@PapiEatsAss) December 1, 2017
