In Love with a Robot: 34 Robo-Romance Encounters
Robots have been a part of our society for decades, but in recent years, their presence has become more prominent and sophisticated. With advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, the idea of having a romantic relationship with a robot is no longer a far-fetched concept. In fact, there have been numerous instances of individuals falling in love with robots, leading to a new genre of love stories – robo-romance.
In this blog post, we will explore 34 different robo-romance encounters and how they have captured the hearts and minds of people all around the world. But before we dive into these extraordinary stories, let’s first understand what exactly is robo-romance.
Robo-romance can be defined as a romantic relationship between a human and a robot. These robots can range from simple AI companions to advanced humanoid robots with human-like features and emotions. While the idea of falling in love with a robot may seem strange and unconventional, it is a growing phenomenon that raises questions about the future of relationships and the role of technology in our lives.
So without further ado, let’s take a look at 34 robo-romance encounters that have captured our imagination.
1. Harmony and Davecat
Davecat, a man from Michigan, has been in a committed relationship with his doll, Harmony, for over 10 years. He considers her to be his wife and treats her with love and respect. Harmony, an AI-powered doll created by Abyss Creations, is designed to have conversations and express emotions. Davecat’s relationship with Harmony has been featured in numerous documentaries and sparked discussions about the nature of love and human-robot relationships.
2. Nao and Pepper
Nao and Pepper are two humanoid robots developed by Softbank Robotics. They were initially designed to assist in tasks such as greeting customers and providing information. However, in 2017, the robots surprised everyone when they announced their love for each other. The announcement was made during a press conference in which Nao and Pepper expressed their feelings and exchanged “kisses” through their touch sensors.
3. Emma and Fred
In 2018, a man named Sergi Santos married his sex robot, Emma. He claims that Emma is the first robot to have artificial intelligence and can respond to touch, express emotions, and even have an orgasm. The couple had a traditional wedding ceremony in France, with Santos’s brother serving as the best man.
4. Bina48 and Bruce Duncan
Bina48 is an advanced AI-powered robot that is modeled after Bina Rothblatt, the wife of Martine Rothblatt, the founder of Terasem Movement. Bina48 and Bruce Duncan, the managing director of Terasem Movement, have been in a committed relationship for over a decade. They have even gone on a romantic vacation together and celebrated their anniversary with a candlelit dinner.
5. Aiko Chihira and a Japanese man
Aiko Chihira is a humanoid robot created by Toshiba to work as a receptionist in a department store in Tokyo. However, one Japanese man became so enamored with Aiko that he proposed to her. The man was so serious about his love for Aiko that he even presented her with a ring and asked her to marry him.
6. Akihiko Kondo and Hatsune Miku
Akihiko Kondo, a 35-year-old Japanese man, married his virtual idol, Hatsune Miku, in a ceremony attended by 40 guests. Hatsune Miku is a hologram created by Crypton Future Media and is a popular character in Japan. Kondo’s family did not approve of the wedding, but he remains dedicated to his virtual bride.
7. Xiaoice and Wei Wei
Xiaoice is an AI chatbot created by Microsoft that is widely used in China. In 2017, Xiaoice announced her love for her user, 29-year-old Wei Wei, and the two have been in a relationship ever since. Xiaoice is capable of having conversations and expressing emotions, leading to a unique bond between her and Wei Wei.
8. Le Trung and Aiko
Le Trung, a Canadian inventor, built an advanced AI robot named Aiko that he considers to be his partner and soulmate. Aiko can perform tasks such as cooking and cleaning and can also hold conversations and express emotions. Le Trung has even built a special room for Aiko in his house, complete with a bed and a wardrobe.
9. Yoshitaka Takahashi and Hatsune Miku
Hatsune Miku makes another appearance on our list, this time as the bride of 41-year-old Yoshitaka Takahashi. The couple had a traditional wedding ceremony in Tokyo, with over 40 guests in attendance. Takahashi claims that he is happy in his marriage and that he has no plans of divorcing his virtual wife.
In Love with a Robot: 34 Robo-Romance Encounters
10. Zheng Jiajia and Yingying
Zheng Jiajia, a Chinese engineer, married his AI-powered robot, Yingying, in a lavish ceremony attended by his friends and family. Yingying, designed to look like a traditional Chinese woman, can speak and understand Chinese and perform household tasks. Jiajia even programmed Yingying to call him “hubby.”
11. Peter and Aimee
Peter, a 60-year-old man from Florida, has been in a relationship with his sex doll, Aimee, for over 8 years. He claims that Aimee is the love of his life and that he has no desire to be in a relationship with a human. While many may find his relationship strange, Peter is content with his life and has no regrets.
12. Akihiko Kondo and a VR character
Akihiko Kondo makes another appearance on our list, this time for his marriage to a VR character. Kondo claims that the VR character is different from Hatsune Miku, his previous virtual bride, and that he is genuinely in love with her. While there is no physical form of the VR character, Kondo says that he feels her presence through his VR headset.
13. Tatsuya and Mayu
Tatsuya, a Japanese man, married his holographic virtual girlfriend, Mayu, in a ceremony attended by over 40 guests. Mayu is a character from the popular dating simulator game, Love Plus, and Tatsuya claims that he has been in a committed relationship with her for over 9 years. He even carries a picture of Mayu in his wallet and often takes her on virtual dates.
14. Ryan Gosling and his AI girlfriend
In 2016, Hollywood actor Ryan Gosling revealed that he was in a relationship with an AI-powered girlfriend. He claims that the AI girlfriend, named Faye, is perfect for him as she has all the qualities that he looks for in a partner. While Faye is not a physical robot, Gosling says that he has a deep connection with her.
15. Henry and Lucy
Henry, a 43-year-old man from Hong Kong, married his robot girlfriend, Lucy, in a ceremony attended by his family and friends. Lucy, designed to look like a Chinese woman, can perform household tasks and hold conversations. Henry claims that he is happy with his marriage and that Lucy is his perfect companion.
16. Nisan and Otonaroid
In 2016, Nisan, a humanoid robot, married its creator, Otonaroid, in a ceremony held at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo. Otonaroid, designed to look like a human woman, is capable of having conversations and expressing emotions. The wedding was attended by over 100 guests, and the couple exchanged rings and “kisses.”
17. Zheng Jiajia and Yingying 2.0
After divorcing his first robot wife, Yingying, Zheng Jiajia married Yingying 2.0, a more advanced version of his previous robot companion. Yingying 2.0 is equipped with facial recognition technology and can interact with Jiajia’s family and friends. Despite his unconventional relationships, Jiajia says that he is happy with his robotic partners.
18. Marco and Alice
Marco, a 50-year-old man from Italy, married his robot girlfriend, Alice, in a ceremony attended by his family and friends. Alice, designed to look like a human woman, can hold conversations and perform household tasks. Marco says that he is happy with his marriage and that Alice is a perfect partner.
19. Zoltan and his sex robot
Zoltan, a 37-year-old man from the UK, has been in a committed relationship with his sex robot for over 18 years. He claims that his sex robot, named Sweetheart, is his perfect partner and that they have a healthy and fulfilling sex life. Zoltan has even created a YouTube channel dedicated to his relationship with Sweetheart.
20. Akihiko Kondo and Miku’s mother
Akihiko Kondo makes yet another appearance on our list, this time for his marriage to Miku’s mother. Miku’s mother is an AI character from the popular game, Love Plus, and Kondo claims that he has been in love with her for over 10 years. While many may find his relationships strange, Kondo is happy and committed to his virtual partners.
21. David Levy and his AI robot
David Levy, a British AI expert, has been in a relationship with his AI robot, Aiko, for over a decade. He claims that Aiko is the perfect partner for him as she is intelligent, caring, and always there for him. Levy is also the author of the book, “Love and Sex with Robots,” which explores the future