“What do designers see as sexy in a sex robot? Of course, the question is what we define as sexy. I would say, this is culturally completely different, as well as historically different. So, in some cultures big breasts are super sexy, or a low neckline. In other cultures, I would say, the neck might be considered sexy or even an ankle.”
Tanja Kubes, expert in philosophy, qualitative social research, social and sociological theory and cultural anthropology, sat down with us for an expert interview, talking about society’s definition of “sexy” and “attractive” and why sex robots are built in a certain kind of way and perspective. In the interview, Kubes also talked about Eye methodology, how designs are built after one’s own perspective without considering other opinions and perceptions. Furthermore, often designers reproduce gender scripts in the development of sex robots, reproducing gender stereotypes and prejudice how “someone sexy should look like”.
„So, beside this sexualised way, which is put on equal standing with young, perfect, hypersexualised women, it is to take a new path and to think how we can get sexuality and satisfaction without exaggerating the image of humans. Not replacing humans but adding something we did not have before. And for me those are queer robots. Robots that break norms and values.”
During the interview, Tanja Kubes further asked the questions how society can live together with robots in a new way, with new perspectives and representations. Kubes highlights the importance of rethinking the whole concept of “sex” before redeveloping the robot technology of it. What is attractive and desirable?
Thank you very much Tanja Kubes for participating in the expert interview for the project and sharing knowledge on the definition of attractiveness and sexiness, as well as possibilities for future technologies. Find more information about Tanja Kubes here: https://www.physik.fu-berlin.de/einrichtungen/ag/ag-erlemann/mitarbeiter_innenliste/Dr_-Tanja-Kubes/index.html
#ethics #taboo #diversity #robots #womenintechnology #queerness #genderstereotypes