We bet you anticipate, nay expect, androids to be incorporated into everyday life by 2050 — but we bet you didn't count on the fact that in 2050 our "ladies of the night" could also require oil changes and scratch-resistant coatings.
Is it just us, or do weddings get more creative every year? We've read about ceremonies in McDonald's, ceremonies held in funeral homes, and festivities featuring groomsmen dressed like Storm Troopers. Not that creativity necessarily entails pomp and circumstance. Those who favor a more understated brand of outrageousness can now try AutoWed, a new vending machine that will marry couples for just a dollar.
Japan, as you might know, has not been reproducing at a replacement rate (2.1 births per woman), and that has a number of social scientists on edge. And so, a robotic baby that cries and interacts somewhat like a real baby -- but looks a little like a giant Tamagotchi -- has been created to convince childless couples to have a kid. The hope is that Yotaro will charm the pants off these couples, and get that birthrate going back north. There are likely skeptics.
Before the next logical step of humans "romancing" and eventually marrying robots, we'll have them perform other jobs in and around love and relationship to become accustomed to human emotions and the nature of romance. Those jobs will initially include wedding cake icer, flower girl and priest. Our friends at The Frisky have it on good authority (including a video) that a Japanese couple has been married by a robot. Evidently, through hook or crook (but most likely articulated robo-arm) the robot actually brought the two together in the first place.
A machine meant solely for male pleasure is now available and surprisingly affordable. The Roxxy Sex Robot can be had for a mere $7,000 to $9,000. In addition to strongly resembling a buxom, WASP-y character actress in need of comeuppance (whose name escapes me), the Roxxxy Sex Robot also has speech capabilities, allowing for pleasant, post-sex chatting. What else could you want in a companion?
This video episode: Japanese divorce, robotic lovers, and breaking-up by SMS.
