Skip to main content

Sex with a robot is improved with Realbotix, the talking sex doll

Yangyang - female robot
Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters
In a world where virtual reality often rivals actual reality, it comes as little to no surprise that even intimate interpersonal relationships have been replaced by technological “advancements.” Improving upon the pre-existing sex dolls are Realbotix, animated sex dolls that talk back to their users, providing a more, say, humanized experience. With the recent innovation of penis wearables and the iPhone sex tracking app, bizarrely enough, this concept doesn’t actually seem that far-fetched. Rather, having your sex doll talk back to you simply seems like the next step in automating away human interaction.

The genius behind Realbotix is a man named Matt McMullen, whose first claim to fame was the invention of the RealDoll, the self-proclaimed “world’s finest love doll.” Now, his company is moving on to bigger and better things, namely making these female robots blink and, more importantly, respond to your most pressing questions. As it stands, the plans for Realbotix only involve a talking head, which consumers can attach to RealDoll bodies for an all-inclusive experience. The next phase, of course, would be developing artificially intelligent robots that include both body parts above and below the neck.

Recommended Videos

The purpose behind the project is to create an illusion of reality when it comes to sex with a doll. In explaining the project, McMullen asked, “What is she thinking, does she like it?” He continued, “If you can create that, or the illusion of that, it is going to be a much more impressive payoff than ‘Wow, she can gyrate her hips by herself.'”

The robotic heads of Realbotix are still two years away from becoming a reality, and they don’t come cheap. For a cool $10,000, you’ll be able to buy the head alone, and in the next few years, the whole package will set you back between $30,000 and $60,000. But for the virtual reality of intimacy, that may not be such an absurd price tag after all.

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Ford ships new NACS adapters to EV customers
Ford EVs at a Tesla Supercharger station.

Thanks to a Tesla-provided adapter, owners of Ford electric vehicles were among the first non-Tesla drivers to get access to the SuperCharger network in the U.S.

Yet, amid slowing supply from Tesla, Ford is now turning to Lectron, an EV accessories supplier, to provide these North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapters, according to InsideEVs.

Read more
Yamaha offers sales of 60% on e-bikes as it pulls out of U.S. market
Yamaha Pedal Assist ebikes

If you were looking for clues that the post-pandemic e-bike market reshuffle remains in full swing in the U.S., look no further than the latest move by Yamaha.

In a letter to its dealers, the giant Japanese conglomerate announced it will pull out of the e-bike business in the U.S. by the end of the year, according to Electrek.

Read more
Rivian offers $3,000 off select EVs to gasoline, hybrid vehicle drivers
Second-Gen Rivian R1S on a road

Early November typically kicks off the run-up to the Black Friday sales season, and this year, Rivian is betting it’s the perfect time to lure gasoline drivers toward its EVs.
If you own or lease a vehicle that runs on gasoline, which means even a hybrid vehicle, Rivian is ready to give you $3,000 off the purchase of one of its select fully electric vehicles -- no trade-in required.
The offer from the Irvine, California-based automaker extends to customers in the U.S. and Canada and runs through November 30, 2024. The program applies to Rivian 2025 R1S or R1T Dual Large, Dual Max, or Tri Max models purchased from R1 Shop.
Rivian’s new All-Electric Upgrade offer marks a change from a previous trade-in program that ran between April and June. There, owners of select 2018 gas-powered vehicles from Ford, Toyota, Jeep, Audi, and BMW could trade in their vehicle and receive up to $5,000 toward the purchase of a new Rivian.
This time, buyers of the R1S or R1T Rivian just need to provide proof of ownership or lease of a gas-powered or hybrid vehicle to receive the discount when they place their order.
Rivian is not going to be the only car maker offering discounts in November. Sluggish car sales from giants such as Stellantis and rising inventories of new cars due to improving supply chains suggest automakers and dealerships will be competing to offer big incentives through the year's end.
This follows several years of constrained supply following the COVID pandemic, which led to higher prices in North America.
According to CarEdge Insights, average selling prices for cars remain above what would be called affordable. But prices should continue improving along with rising inventories.
Stellantis brands are entering November with the most inventory, followed by GM and Ford, according to CarEdge. Toyota and Honda, meanwhile, have the least inventory, meaning they probably won’t be under pressure to offer big incentives.

Read more