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Sex and the single robot

Steve Ruskin, Special to the Rocky

Published December 12, 2007 at 9:31 p.m.

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Love and Sex with Robots: The Evolution of Human-Robot Relationships

* Nonfiction. By David Levy. HarperCollins, 310 pages, $24.95. Grade: B+

Book in a nutshell: If you think relationships are complicated now, just wait 30 years. According to Levy, by 2035, advancements in artificial intelligence, robotics technology, and synthetic skin, hair and other features will converge to make robots that are nearly indistinguishable from humans. So what will we do with them? We'll fall in love and sleep with them, of course!

While this may sound far- fetched, Levy makes a strong case for the eventuality of human- robot intimacy. An expert on robotics and artificial intelligence, he takes us step-by-step through the technological and social changes he thinks will one day lead to humans loving and even marrying robots.

The first part of the book (Love with Robots) argues that love is simply a very strong emotional attachment with something else: another human, a pet, even an electronic object (think of your iPod). If robots are programmed to be emotionally responsive, Levy suggests, humans may indeed be able to truly fall in love with them.

The second part of the book (Sex with Robots) is much more, well, satisfying. Let's face it, humans have used technology to fulfill their physical desires for centuries. In fact, many sex toys today could be considered robotic, and the market for these items is increasing faster than most people realize. So when custom-made, human-like sexbots become available, Levy muses, why wouldn't people use them? Hey, it's one way to decrease prostitution and sexually transmitted disease.

Best tidbit: The frankness and certainty of Levy's assertions are stunning: "A robot will be the ideal sex partner. You don't have to buy it endless meals or drinks, take it to the movies or on vacation. It will expect nothing from you, no long-term (or even short-term) emotional returns, unless you have chosen it to be programmed to do so."

Pros: As a voyeuristic glimpse into a future of robotic romance and eroticism, this reads like science fiction but is grounded in contemporary technological developments.

Cons: Clearly humans having sex with and marrying robots will raise moral objections, but Levy tends to dismiss these large issues as if they will be easily overcome.

Final word: In 30 years, this book will either be hailed as a work of prescient genius, or a misguided robo-erotic fantasy.