Surly Robot

Robots, apes, zombies, and cavemen.

So I wrote a little play about sex robots, thinking it would take a few years for reality to overtake my little fantasy. I am so naive.

Allison de Fren has produced a documentary about real life sexbot called The Mechanical Bride. Here’s a trailer:

Maybe if I write a play about flying cars or practical fusion energy, we’ll suddenly have those things too. Worth a shot.

So you wake up in the hospital, and there’s a young Japanese woman in the room with you. Before you can get any randy ideas, you notice she’s a bit odd. Like, not the most brilliant conversationalist. Also, she tends to copy your facial expressions. Is she making fun of you? Doesn’t she know you’re in the hospital? What the hell, mystery girl!

Kokoro, a Tokyo-based entertainment company, and Osaka University didn’t design Actroid F and her male twin, Geminoid F, just to harass and annoy sick people. But for some reason, that’s where they’re being tested. How will the terminally ill respond to unrequested and unending games of “monkey see, monkey do”? Only one way to find out!

The robots may eventually also serve as companions to the elderly (hence, the tie-in to my play).

Mrs. Surly Robot sent me this link. Thanks, honey!

Michael Stone Johnson writes:

Gygan, the gentle seXbot, can really boogie with the chicks. Can you imagine the size of his enormous schwanzstucker?

I was skeptical, until I saw the eager way June Cleaver jumps on Gygan for a ride. Something’s going on there! Watch for yourself:

Gygan’s got other talents, such as “the handling of dangerous radioactive material in the realm of nuclear physics.” Best part: Gygan crushes a metal cylinder in his scary claw while the narrator tells us that he could be used “for chores like babysitting.” I guess those claws would keep your kids safe by scaring away commies and reefer-crazed beatniks.

Gygan could also function as “a servant, or even as an obedient companion” for those that swing that way.

Looking for a way to make Grandma feel special, without the inconvenience of actually having to visit? Give her a creepy plastic doll that remotely relays your facial expressions.

Or not. I used to give my grandmother peppermints, and she seemed to like that just fine. But if you’re one of those folks that feel the answer to every question is “technology!”, the telenoid may be for you.

Is the “sexbot” tag really appropriate for this story? Maybe, maybe not. Nobody in the video below mentions sex. It’s all very innocent–delivering hugs and smiles to distant loved ones. Yeah. That’s how it starts.

http://www.itworld.com/science/164957/telenoid-robot-attempts-emotions

Thanks, Adam!