Fem-Bots, the Perfect Woman?

While reading the HuffingtonPost.com today, I came across this disturbing post about a female robot that had been created to react like a “real female” in interactions with people. The post is titled Aiko the Female Robot: Inventor Le Trung Talks About his Perfect Woman. Not only does this creep and gross me out (really, fem-bots?), the demonstration of this is disturbing. Le Trung, the creator, claims that she can be used as a “receptionist” or to work at an information desk, and that she can open doors and help around the house. However, in the video, the only demonstrated abilities are that of her to defend herself from bodily violations. Trung squeezes her arm to solicit a response from her, which is, “Please let go of my arm, you are hurting me. Why did you do that to me?” Then at 1:07 in the video, he reaches up to squeeze her breast, and in response she “hits” Trung and says “I do not like it when you touch my breasts.”
To me, the idea of bionic people is a bit frightening, but bionic women that can be abused and sexually assaulted is even more disconcerting. If this robot can wash dishes and open doors, why isn’t this highlighted instead? And, while we’re at it, why are her only skills touted as housework and “reception”? Sexist portrayal of female roles in society much? And this is someone’s idea of a “perfect woman,” which is even more disgusting.
Is anyone else extremely bothered by this?

Disclaimer: This post was written by a Feministing Community user and does not necessarily reflect the views of any Feministing columnist, editor, or executive director.

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