Fluid Sex Robots: Looking to the 2LGBTQIA+ Community to Shape the Future of Sex Robots

Abstract

As sex robots continue to be developed by industry, portrayed by media, and studied by researchers, it is common to conceptualize robots from a cisgender and heterosexual (cishet), or feminist perspective. We advocate for an increased shift toward the 2LGBTQIA+ community for inspiration and a path forward for more inclusive, successful, and socially responsible sex robots. In addition to the intrinsic value of being inclusive, looking to the 2LGBTQIA+ community can help us to break away from traditional ideas of gender and sexuality, to unlock the full potential of this technology to be flexible and offer new possibilities. Further, we reflect on the importance of considering how the designs of sex robots, as politically charged technological artifacts, can contribute to reinforcing ideas about heteronormativity; instead, sex robots have the potential to positively contribute to breaking down traditional barriers surrounding gender and sex. We envision a future of sex robots that reach their full potential as fluid, individualized companions that enable people to comfortably engage their interests and identity.

Publisher Link

https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/3523760.3523868

Citation

Skyla Y. Dudek and James E. Young. 2022. Fluid Sex Robots: Looking to the 2LGBTQIA+ Community to Shape the Future of Sex Robots. In Proceedings of the 2022 ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI '22). IEEE Press, 746–749.

Bibtext Entry

@inproceedings{10.5555/3523760.3523868,
author = {Dudek, Skyla Y. and Young, James E.},
title = {Fluid Sex Robots: Looking to the 2LGBTQIA+ Community to Shape the Future of Sex Robots},
year = {2022},
publisher = {IEEE Press},
abstract = {As sex robots continue to be developed by industry, portrayed by media, and studied by researchers, it is common to conceptualize robots from a cisgender and heterosexual (cishet), or feminist perspective. We advocate for an increased shift toward the 2LGBTQIA+ community for inspiration and a path forward for more inclusive, successful, and socially responsible sex robots. In addition to the intrinsic value of being inclusive, looking to the 2LGBTQIA+ community can help us to break away from traditional ideas of gender and sexuality, to unlock the full potential of this technology to be flexible and offer new possibilities. Further, we reflect on the importance of considering how the designs of sex robots, as politically charged technological artifacts, can contribute to reinforcing ideas about heteronormativity; instead, sex robots have the potential to positively contribute to breaking down traditional barriers surrounding gender and sex. We envision a future of sex robots that reach their full potential as fluid, individualized companions that enable people to comfortably engage their interests and identity.},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the 2022 ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction},
pages = {746–749},
numpages = {4},
keywords = {2lgbtqia+, human-robot interaction, sex robots, companion robots},
location = {Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan},
series = {HRI '22}
}