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Having sex with real people is proving to be overly challenging, a new study has revealed. According to research compiled by Bedbible, the sex robot industry has been quietly booming, with an estimated USD$200 million worth of sex robots sold each year, thanks to recent technological innovations and the decline in the taboo nature around sex toys.
To explore the industry further, the publication analyzed the percentage of people who own a sexbot worldwide, and it may be more than you think. Bedbible’s research found that a whopping 17.2% of people worldwide own or have had sex with a sexbot. The gender demographics were very similar with 17.8% of men and 16.5% of women who own or have had sex with a mechanical human.
Breaking it down by nation, 15.3% of Americans had either rooted or owned a sex robot, while those horny Europeans had a figure slightly higher with 18.3%. However, Japan was revealed as the leader in the sexbot scene. In total, 27.1% of the country owned or had sex with a sex robot, unsurprising in the country with the highest rate of loneliness.
Bedbible also took a deep dive into the fascinating history and innovation of the industry. Firstly, they found that the sex robot industry properly began in 2010 when Douglas Hines debuted Roxxxy, the world’s first real sexbot. It cost US$9,999 and ultimately disappointed after promising features that it couldn’t provide.
Since then, the industry has evolved with new technologies and features being incorporated into the newer dolls. This includes RealDoll, created by Abyss Creations, which has sold more than US$60 million worth of sexbots since 2015. These dolls offer realistic features such as head and arm movement and sensors to detect touch. These sex robots also come with AI communication technology, allowing them to hold conversations and add to the realism.
Advanced sexbot technology could make these robot companions even more realistic in the future. In June, the California Institute of Technology successfully printed artificial skin with plans to make it usable in sexbot production. The artificial skin was made of hydrogel and felt real. Looking ahead, there could also be breathing technology introduced as well as the ability to share this experience with others via social networks built specifically for the doll. The future looks bright. To see the full study, head to the Bedbible website.
