How Sex Dolls Are Shaping New Forms of Intimacy

The concept of sex dolls has fascinated humans for some time. For some reason, our immediate response to any kind of loneliness is to find replacements for it in artificial ways. So, we look for it in plushies when we’re young and in sex dolls as adults. 

And this isn’t a newly developed habit. Sex dolls have existed for centuries, even if they seem like a modern concept. From acting as leather-based companions for lonely sailors to silicone dolls made to ebb away loneliness created from modern society, sex dolls have always been there. 

And so, they’re playing a bigger role in reshaping intimacy than you think. We might not be far away from the day when a good chunk of the population will have lifelike sex dolls. You will understand why as you read on. 

The Evolution of Sex Dolls

As much as sex dolls seem like modern day inventions, you can trace their existence back to the 16th century. Back then, Dutch and Spanish sailors handmade sex dolls using leather and clothing. 

As they felt lonely on their long trips, they would use these dolls for their sexual needs. These led to the eventual 3 phases in the evolution of sex dolls. Let’s take a quick look through them. 

1. Inflatable Dolls

Inflatable dolls started appearing in media somewhere at the start of the 20th century and developed into the basic design we know today by the end. 

These dolls had a basic shape and resembled men and women. They were made of PVC or vinyl with plastic genitals. 

The body shape did remind you of a human, but the dolls lacked details in the curves and didn’t have any distinguished facial features. 

Surprisingly, Barbie had a huge role in the development of inflatable dolls. In 1950s Germany, 11.5-inch dolls were released to imitate a popular comic book character. The target audience happened to be adult men, though you couldn’t penetrate the doll. 

These designs will later serve as inspiration for Barbie. 

2. Realistic Dolls

The next phase of evolution in sex dolls came in the form of silicone and its role in creating realistic dolls. 

Silicone is highly moldable, with a texture similar to human skin. Users finally had dolls that didn’t only look like humans, but also felt human to the touch, especially the genitals. 

Silicone is also simple to wash and easy to clean. But, they do tend to be expensive. Which is why, lots of users turn to TPE, like the Zero Tolerance Blowups Dolls. The doll still resembles humans, but comes at a lower price. 

Then, as 3D printing technology developed, the shape of the dolls took an even more realistic turn. Add to this the heating technology, the realistic sex dolls we know today were created. 

3. Realistic Robotic Dolls

The inevitable ultimate step to the evolution of sex dolls will be the rise of realistic robot dolls. While there are some in the market, it’s still a phase we are transitioning to. 

These dolls have AI built in them. Some are capable of listening and remembering conversations you have. These dolls use your response to automatically switch to what you like and can make small movements. 

As these dolls evolve, they will turn into proper sex robots. The range of motions and the ability to converse will be wider. But that’s for later. 

For now, you have brands that let you select the facial features, skin tone, genitals, and body type to create your ideal companion. You can give your doll a voice, a personality, and even make it orgasm. 

The texture and dressing of the doll will make anyone who suddenly comes across it assume it’s a real human. 

The Psychological Impact

The idea of a sex doll often brings up a feeling of revulsion in people. With stories floating around of men developing unhealthy relationships with their sex dolls, it’s inevitable. 

People think of sex dolls as inherently misogynistic. There’s the belief men who opt for sex dolls do so because they can’t form healthy relationships with real women.They look for it in lifeless dolls who would offer unconditional love and sex without having to essentially heed their desires. 

The perception is reinforced when stories of men with definitive weird obsessions with their dolls come out in the media. 

Add to the little to no research on the matter, combined with targeted marketing, it makes it seem sex dolls are for all purposes made for lonely cishet men. 

But dig a little deeper, you will find a number of stories of cishet women and queer folks who have a doll companion of their own. 

In fact, from speaking to folks who own sex dolls, you will notice a common theme in their reasoning for owning one:

• People with STIs like HIV don’t want to deal with all the potential issues that could arise from mingling with someone who has prejudice against them. 
• For some, it’s almost the same as any other sex toy. It’s a matter of upgrading to a larger one, with more things to hold on to. 
• They like essentially hanging out with the doll. They’re aware they’re not with another human being, but to them, it’s like playing house with a fictional character. 
• Some like having a sort of presence in the house which is non-judgemental and they’re free to act however they want around it. Queer folks seem to like sex dolls for this reason even more, often not even using it for sex. There’s real affection there, convoluted as it sounds. 

Plenty of people with doll companions still date. It’s only a small group who have sworn off dating for the presence of a sex doll. 

Of course, the popularity of sex dolls does have a lot to do with loneliness and anxiety. It’s the common theme, except for the folks who own one as a simple sex toy. 

But not all of them lose their sense of reasoning, nor are they misogynistic. As with all things, if you do own a sex doll, you have to make a conscious effort to not treat one as an actual replacement for human partnership.

The Future of Human-Doll Relationships

Ever since AI blew up the tech scene, there has been immense buzz around what it could mean for human-doll interactions. These are some of the top predictions for the future of human-doll relationships:

• Sex dolls will evolve into sex robots. These robots will closely resemble human partners, with the ability to talk and participate in intimate acts. This is the more out there theories, with some believing dolls will replace human partnership to some extent or entirely. 
• Brands like Realbotix have already proposed a talking head for their RealDoll line. The head is capable of imitating the facial expression of someone reaching orgasm and can moan when touched. 
• You will be able to swap the face of the doll at will and customize the personality, style, and body type as you need. 
• While you hold your doll companion, you will be able to use virtual reality goggles to meet with their virtual avatar. It will create an immersive, real experience. 
• While there are already sex dolls with heating functions, it will become more common to find ones with warm skin and genitals. 
• There will be service robot dolls with the intent of helping users with mobility issues. These dolls will have motions in their hands and other body parts. There will also be dolls specializing in sexual motions.

Brands will make an effort to ingest these dolls with the ability to remember your name, interests, and be even capable of dirty talk. Considering lifeless dolls already act as a friend of sorts, dolls of the future have a potential to become a companion in every sense. 

They can be therapeutic and act as a friend living with you. 

Final Thoughts

As with all things, society’s attitude towards sex dolls have become less judgmental. We aren’t at a stage where most people would let their best friend know they own one, but enough to feel simmering excitement in how sex dolls could evolve. 

Part of this can be attributed to technology and the curiosity people have about what it could mean for sex dolls. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to try the present-day sex dolls yourself and see what it could mean for you.

Go ahead and get the best sex dolls from XOXTOYS.