You know Distance Learning but Distance Sex anyone?

First it was distance learning and soon there will be distance sex or at least that’s the idea if Dominic Choy has her way. Here is New Scientist story on this theme.

You’ve heard of distance learning. Now it looks like distance sex is on the way. Dominic Choy of Cammeray, New South Wales, wants to replace real sex with an online robotic experience. He proposes a lifelike flexible mannequin covered with imitation skin (WO 0059581). Servo motors move its limbs and other body parts in response to control signals both from the Internet and from touch and sound sensors on its body. Two people with matching mannequins connect over the Internet, wearing virtual-reality visors so they can see and hear each other. Couples can get together from opposite ends of the Earth—or they could program the system so that one participant resembles their partner’s favourite celebrity.

Philosophy and Ethics of Robotics

At the European Computing and Philosophy Conference this year there is a Philosophy and Ethics of Robotics. The program details look very promising. Here is full program from the official website. Gianmarco Veruggio, who has written on this subject before will also be giving a talk.

THURSDAY 21 JUNE
TRACK 6 – Information and Computing Ethics [W2]
17.45-19.15     Information and Computing Ethics – Chair: Alison Adam

Gianmarco Veruggio
Roboethics: an interdisciplinary approach to the social implication of Robotics

TRACK 11 – Philosophy and Ethics of Robotics [W3]
15.00-16.00     Philosophy and Ethics of Robotics – Chair: Gianmarco Veruggio

15.00     Ishii Kayoko
Can a Robot Intentionally Conduct Mutual Interactions with Human Being?

15.30     Ronald C. Arkin
On the Ethical Quandaries of a Practicing Roboticist: A First Hand Look
FRIDAY 22 JUNE
TRACK 11 – Philosophy and Ethics of Robotics [W3]
11.45-12.45     Philosophy and Ethics of Robotics – Chair: Gianmarco Veruggio

11.45     Jutta Weber
Analysing Material, Semiotic and Socio-Political Dimensions of Artificial Agents

12.15     Daniel Persson
Ethics of Intelligent Systems – Artefacts, Producers and Users

12.45-13.30     Lunch next to workshop rooms

13.30-15.30     Philosophy and Ethics of Robotics – Chair: Gianmarco Veruggio

13.30     Merel Noorman
Exploring the Limits to the Autonomy of Artificial agents

14.00     Susana Nascimento
Autonomous Anthropomorphisms: Robot Narratives and Critical Social Theories

14.30     Peter Asaro
How Just Could A Robot War Be?

15.00     Edward H. Spence
Robot Rights: The Moral Life of Androids