Should Robots Wear Lingerie?

The development of robots is speeding ahead and it is only a matter of time before lifelike robots begin appearing in our homes, businesses and on the streets. So we need to ask ourselves questions about how we should relate to these human like robots.

The rate of development of robots is expanding exponentially so that while a few years ago a walking robot was groundbreaking it is now almost commonplace. Robots used to look like a hunk of machinery but now some look almost attractive. Speech recognition is growing fast and once robots can understand what we are saying and respond appropriately we are in a whole new era of man and machine relationships.

When we have robots that really do look like and behave like humans should there be laws requiring them to wear lingerie? Should there be laws to limit the things they do and would you let your daughter date a robot?

It is only a matter of time before we find it difficult to tell the difference, at a glance, between a human and a robot and it may not be as many years away as we think. So how will we react to having robots around us and will it be good for society as a whole?

With the rise of the Android our feelings will become blurred and confused. The reasons we like particular people and even love people are down to how we relate with those people and when you are feeling down would you rather have a robot who helps you to feel better about yourself or a human who is upset and angry with you?

Would you let your daughter date a robot? It may sound ridiculous but it is not so far fetched an idea. People find relationships difficult. Every relationship has occasional or common problems with conflicting interests and feelings. That would never occur with a relationship with a robot. The robot would always be the perfect partner and would always put your feelings first. Sounds kind of appealing doesn't it?

A relationship without conflict where your partner will always put you first, where the robot will always do whatever it takes to make you happy and will never demand attention when you want to be alone or expect to be treated because it is their birthday. When you think about the things that make someone interesting to you as a possible partner you find that a robot could achieve many of those things.

First you want to find the person attractive. The robot can be any size, shape, color and weight you wish.

You want a partner who shares your interests and points of view on life? A robot can be programmed with any interests, views and attitudes you wish.

You want someone who cares about you and shows compassion and understanding of you, someone who truly understands what makes you tick. A robot can be designed to match all of these and would even be capable of giving counselling and advice based on a vast database of knowledge about the world and human experiences.

A robot, or android, could be the perfect partner and if that is the case how will our minds cope with such a situation where we know it is not a person but the android does everything we could want a person to do?

Our children are growing up with robot toys that they consider their 'friends'. Little robot dogs that perform tricks on command and dolls that appear to respond to a child caring for them will teach kids that it is OK to have feelings towards their robots.

We live in a world where it sometimes feels like you are alone facing the might of giant corporations and big government departments. Nobody cares about the little guy, relationships can be difficult to keep happy and healthy and our kids could grow into adults who feel more comfortable with their robots than they do with other humans.

When the robots look and behave better than most other humans, when they treat you better and don't try to rip you off all the time a robot or an android friend could be a great comfort to many people.

Some people become very attached to their cars, others to their intimate blow up toys. A lot of people become extremely affectionate towards their dogs. Just replace the dog with an android who could walk and talk and respond to your needs in all sorts of ways. Counsellor, friend and lover. It will confuse our minds but it would offer us something that we all want, the perfect companion.

Where does this take us, the human race? We are moving towards a great unknown and we should think about the consequences. So, should we require robots to wear lingerie? Perhaps the real question should be whether we really do want robots that look and behave like humans at all.