This sex doll maker in China is embedding its products with artificial intelligence

AI features on the dolls are still very basic: they can answer questions but cannot hold longer conversations

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Sex dolls with different shapes and skin colours hang in a warehouse at the WMDOLL factory in Zhongshan, Guangdong province, China. Photo: Reuters

Published: 8:51am, 26 Jul 2018Updated: 5:40pm, 26 Jul 2018

Amid Beijing’s push to turn the country into an artificial intelligence (AI) powerhouse and embed the technology in all facets of life, some Chinese entrepreneurs are taking the expertise to a new frontier: sex dolls.

WMDOLL, one of China’s biggest sex doll makers, which is based in the southeastern province of Guangdong, launched what it calls AI-powered dolls at end of 2016 that offer features ranging from simple conversation to moving eyes, arms and torsos. Customers can personalise their dolls by choosing various appearance options including height, hairstyle and eye colour.

Various styles and designs of sex dolls are displayed at the WMDOLL factory in Zhongshan, Guangdong province, China. The exports account for 80 per cent of WMDOLL sales, and half of their overseas shipments go to the United States. Dolls with tanned skin colour are the most popular in overseas markets. Photo: Reuters

AI features on the dolls are still very basic: they can answer questions but cannot hold longer conversations. The doll uses vocabulary by connecting to a database supported by Chinese tech giant Baidu.

Sex doll heads at the WMDOLL factory. Photo: Reuters

The firm admits improving the features has been difficult partly because experts aren’t interested in putting much effort into developing AI technology for adult products.