TMTPOST— Large language models will be used in an unlikely place -- sex dolls, according to the CEO of a Shenzhen-based company.

Starpery Technology, a Shenzhen-based producer of sex dolls, is now training its own large language model to enhance its product with artificial intelligence. These sex dolls with unprecedented capabilities, available in male or female forms, will soon be hitting the shelves.

“We are developing a next-generation sex doll that can interact vocally and physically with users, with prototypes expected by August this year,” said Evan Lee, CEO of Starpery Technology.

Lee recognized the considerable technological hurdles, especially in creating realistic human interactions. "While basic dialogue is straightforward, developing interactive responses requires sophisticated model development by specialized software companies," he explained.

Traditional sex dolls, built with a metal framework and a silicone exterior, are limited to basic responses and lack the expressive capabilities required for meaningful human interaction. The upcoming generation of sex dolls, enhanced with AI models and sensors, is designed to respond with both movements and speech, greatly improving the user experience.

"The new generation of sex dolls, powered by AI models and equipped with sensors, can react with both movements and speech, significantly enhancing the user experience by focusing on emotional connection rather than just basic conversational abilities," Lee noted.

The company, which has primarily concentrated on international markets, is now shifting its focus to the domestic market as well.

Despite a seemingly conservative society where topics like sex dolls are rarely discussed openly, China is the largest market for sex dolls, outstripping the combined sales of the U.S., Japan, and Germany, Lee claimed.

"Industry insiders recognize that China has a vast market, with the purchasing power in major cities exceeding that of many European countries. The market is also open-minded, albeit with different aesthetic preferences compared to the European market," he said.

Starpery's future plans involve creating robots that can perform household tasks, assist individuals with disabilities, and offer elderly care. The company aims to introduce its first "smart service robot" by 2025, which will be capable of providing more advanced services for disabled individuals. By 2030, these robots are expected to safeguard people from dangerous jobs, according to the company's strategy.

To reach this level of advancement, the two primary challenges are battery capacity and the development of artificial muscles, Lee pointed out.

Firstly, unlike electric vehicles, humanoid robots don't have the space for large batteries, so the energy density of their batteries needs to be improved for autonomous operation. Secondly, current motors lack the flexibility of human muscles, which can exert force over a wide range and can be both rigid and soft, fitting closely to the skin, Lee explained.

At present, to ensure realism, the dolls can weigh up to 40kg (88lbs), which is too heavy for the motor and poses a risk of falling or injuring the user.

"Therefore, in the initial stage, we focused on reducing the weight through advancements in materials and production processes," Lee said. By July 2023, their 172cm-tall doll weighed only 29kg.

Lee said that while the vision of robots performing household chores is a societal goal, it remains distant. Robotics companies can use servo motors for certain functions, but due to stability and cost considerations, commercialization is still far off.

"It will take about ten years for the entire industry to reach this goal," he noted.

In addition to technical challenges, Starpery also faces issues related to cost and ethics.

Reducers, which transfer power between the motor and the robot joints, are essential components in the mechanical system of humanoid robots. They typically account for 30% of the robot’s cost and may require multiple gears at different joints.

"We strive to reduce costs to make realistic dolls more affordable, but adding motors will inevitably increase the expense," Lee explained.

Starpery dolls, benefiting from a complete supply chain and lower manufacturing costs, are priced at approximately US$1,500. In contrast, an advanced Harmony doll from robotics company Abyss Creations in the United States starts at US$6,000.

Located in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, Starpery enjoys the advantages of being in the world’s largest production base for adult products, giving it a competitive pricing edge.

"The supply chain in Guangdong is complete, and manufacturers swiftly respond to market demands. New technologies are quickly integrated into products, often appearing in the market within a month," Lee remarked.

Apart from Starpery, other Chinese manufacturers are also incorporating AI into physical dolls. WMdoll, based in Zhongshan, another city in Guangdong, and EXdoll in Dalian, Liaoning province, both plan to launch interactive products.

“These devices will require regular maintenance and updates to ensure functionality and hygiene,” Song Zhongxun, an employee working at a high-tech company in Shenzhen told TMTPost, adding “Currently, high-quality AI-powered sex dolls are expensive and may not be accessible to everyone. Over time, costs may decrease, making them more widely available.”

Over the past year, large language models have significantly advanced various sectors, notably transforming the humanoid robot industry.

Innovations driven by tailored models, trained on diverse datasets, have unleashed a wave of products transforming industry landscapes and user interactions, said Tang Jie, a professor of computer science at Tsinghua University.

In the humanoid robot industry, large language models play a crucial role in its development.

Ou Jinyan, spokesperson for LimX Dynamics, a robot development company, said: "These models not only accelerate iterations in robotics, enhancing motion control, but also provide a suite of user-friendly tools that significantly boost developer productivity."

Alongside technical challenges, the industry faces significant ethical considerations. AI-driven sex robots could blur ethical boundaries and reinforce harmful attitudes regarding consent and gender stereotypes.

Critics argue that overreliance on AI companions for sexual or emotional fulfillment might hinder genuine human connections, affecting users' ability to form healthy relationships with real people.

The AI-powered sex dolls might further objectify human bodies, particularly women, and perpetuate harmful stereotypes, Wu Zhaoyue, a sociology professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, told TMTPost.

“The widespread use of AI-powered dolls might affect traditional human relationships, possibly reducing the incentive to build genuine emotional connections. Meanwhile, while AI does not have consciousness, the use of AI-powered dolls raises questions about consent and the ethical treatment of entities designed to mimic human behavior,” she expressed concerns over the ethical issues, adding “clear guidelines must be formulated to prevent misuse of such dolls, including age restrictions and measures to prevent illegal activities.”

Moreover, the rapid development of AI-driven sex robots outpaces existing legal and regulatory frameworks, leading to a legal grey area concerning their use, ownership, and the responsibilities of manufacturers and users.

In its 2023 paper, "Research Report on AI Ethics Governance," the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology said: "AI capable of making decisions under certain conditions could challenge human autonomy and self-perception. Large language models also pose risks of data leaks and privacy violations, as user information could be used to train generative AI."

Throughout history, human innovation has led to the creation of technologies that address fundamental needs and adapt to changing desires. From basic survival tools to modern smartphones that connect us globally, technology consistently solves problems and introduces novel experiences. Now, AI, a transformative technology influencing every industry, is set to revolutionize the sex doll market.

This cutting-edge advancement focuses on developing AI-powered companions that can engage in conversation and interact with users. By improving the dolls' interactive features, the goal is to deliver more realistic and engaging experiences, changing how people view and interact with these intimate partners.