Talking robotic head for sex dolls could go on sale in the UK in 2018

The prototype head was created by Doll Sweet Dolls and EX Doll.

The head, which is controlled with a smartphone, contains a moving mechanical structure coated in skin-like silicone. Its “stunningly beautiful” face is enhanced by makeup artists. The head cannot move on its neck, although it can fit onto other doll bodies capable of limb movement, simulated breathing, and other actions.

Using voice recognition software, it is capable of conversation, appearing to listen to questions, respond appropriately, and even sing.

At present, it is only fluent in Mandarin Chinese (its core market being Mainland China), although its manufacturers hope to raise enough money through a crowdfunding campaign to produce English and Japanese versions.

Paul Lumb, head of Cloud Climax, Europe’s only authorised seller of EX Dolls, described it as “revolutionary”, and as bringing the world to the “next level of very natural realism”.

“EX Dolls have been working on a robotics head since 2014, but we’re generations away from a Terminator-style cyborg,” Lumb told The Scotsman. “They will have an element of natural conversation so they won’t sound too robotic, but they will take time – languages are massive […] the voice recognition is no different to a smartphone, but this model also has facial expressions, unlike standard silicone heads.

“This is the next step of teledildonics reality; it’s at the forefront of adult tech and is really the Bugatti Veyron of VR.”

Lumb claims that sex dolls could be part of a healthy sex life – comparable to healthy meals or gym sessions – and could also be used for dressing up, collecting and photography. Manufacturers have been moving towards more practical, realistic silicone dolls – almost always female-bodied – with enhanced skeletons to make them as light as an adolescent human.

The debate around the appropriateness and implications of intimacy with robots gained considerable attention last year with the hosting of the Second International Congress on Love and Sex with Robots. Since then, a comprehensive report has been released gauging public opinion on different aspects of intimate relationships with robots.

The DS Doll Robotic Head could be commercially available in Europe from the end of 2018. The head will cost approximately £4,500.