China's chilling AI sex doll industry is selling hyperrealistic 'companions' to lonely men
WMDoll, one of the country's top manufacturers, is expecting a 30% spike in sales this year, driven in part by men who are unable to find romantic partners. 'It makes the dolls more responsive and interactive, which offers users a better experience,' said Liu Jiangxia, CEO of WMDoll, in an interview with South China Morning Post.
What sets these dolls apart from their mechanical predecessors is their AI-enhanced 'MetaBox' brain, which sends data to large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. The responses from the LLMs then dictate how the dolls move, speak, and react in real time.
While these so-called "love dolls" have a metal skeleton, their silicone skin mimics human warmth and texture. They also have a feature to regulate body temperature and sensors to simulate touch.
These dolls can be programmed with up to eight different personalities, retain memories of past conversations and ask emotional questions like, 'How was your day?' or 'Are we okay?'
'In the past, these dolls' primary function was to satisfy users' sexual needs. But as their physical features became more realistic, our customers started to seek emotional companionship," Jiangxia said.
Shenzhen Atall Intelligent Robot Technology, another major love doll creator, revealed that its biggest customer base is middle-aged men from Europe and the US. Many of these men request darker skin tones and exaggerated physical traits, while domestic customers in China prefer more subtle, Asian aesthetics.
China manufactures over 80% of the world's sex toys, contributing to a $6.6 billion industry employing more than a million people. But as the technology advances, so do the concerns. Chinese feminist Xiao Meili said, 'A lot of men want the same for women: sex, housework, childbirth, and filial piety. They don't think of women as individuals. If every nerd buys a sex doll for himself, that would free a lot of women from these kinds of men.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
27 minutes ago
- Economic Times
4 smart ways to get a job before even vacancy gets listed, according to a Reddit user
Synopsis A Reddit user shared four practical strategies that helped them land job interviews even before positions were officially posted. These included following companies early on social media, directly messaging team managers instead of waiting for HR, using expired job listings as leads, and staying visible by engaging with company content. While not foolproof, these methods helped them stand out and secure interviews ahead of the crowd. A Redditor Got Ahead of the Hiring Game With These Simple Tactics In today's job market, where applications flood in within seconds of a posting going live, standing out requires more than just clicking 'Apply.' A Reddit user recently shared a set of simple yet effective strategies that helped them secure interviews even before the job listings were publicly available. Their post seemingly offers practical, real-world hacks—based on personal trial and error—rather than the usual textbook advice. The user highlighted the importance of proactively following companies you're genuinely interested in—especially on platforms like LinkedIn or Instagram. Many firms drop subtle hints such as 'team expanding soon' or 'exciting roles coming up.' This is often a signal that a job opening may be around the corner. Acting during this early window can give candidates a head-start before the position appears on job boards and attracts hundreds of of waiting for HR or a recruiter, the Redditor found success by directly messaging team managers. The trick, they noted, is to keep the message simple and professional. A casual but clear note expressing interest in a specific team or project—without overselling—helped them start conversations that HR pipelines typically miss. The user stressed not to make it awkward or overly formal, just a short message showing awareness and unconventional tactic that worked involved expired or previously closed job listings. Rather than ignoring them, the Reddit user treated them as leads. If a company recently looked for a skillset, there's a chance they're still hiring or will be soon. By referencing the old posting and offering to connect based on those criteria, they were able to reopen interest in their profile—even after the official deadline had final strategy was about visibility. By engaging with company posts, commenting thoughtfully, or sharing relevant content, the Redditor found that their name started becoming familiar to potential hiring teams. While they admitted it can feel awkward, that low-key presence sometimes helped them stay top-of-mind when an opportunity came being ghosted many times, the Redditor confirmed that these steps helped land two interviews—without ever formally applying through the usual portals. Their approach boils down to being early, intentional, and slightly persistent—especially in a job market where timing and visibility matter more than ever.
India.com
38 minutes ago
- India.com
Meet actress who did only 1 film, created buzz with one bold photoshoot, an Ad changed her life forever, she is...
We must have heard of several actors and actresses who have gone all over and broken the stereotypes. And once India's runway queen and one of the most iconic faces of the '90s fashion scene, Madhu Sapre, did the same. She wasn't just known for her striking beauty and fierce confidence; she became a cultural flashpoint in the conversation around art, boldness, and morality. Who is Madhu Sapre? Madhu Sapre, who was born in Nagpur in 1971, she originally wanted to become an athlete, but destiny had other plans. In the year 1992, she was crowned Miss India, going on to represent the country at Miss Universe, where she finished as second runner-up. With an athletic frame, sharp features, and an unapologetic aura, she quickly carved her space in the fashion world. But fame brought more than just glitz. What exactly sparked the controversy? According to the reports, in the mid-90s, Madhu and her then-boyfriend, model Milind Soman, shot an ad for Phoenix Shoes. It featured the couple posing nude with only a python draped across them and shoes on their feet. But it felt, the nation wan't ready this boldness. The ad was labelled 'obscene' by many. It ignited outrage and sparked a major legal storm. Mumbai Police registered a case for promoting obscenity, and what began as a bold artistic statement turned into a 14-year-long legal battle. Take a look at the picture View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Swaddle (@theswaddle) How did controversy impact her life? The case dragged on for over a decade, affecting both Madhu's career and personal life. In interviews, she maintained her stand — 'It was a professional photoshoot. I don't see anything vulgar in it.' Finally, in 2009, the court acquitted both models, citing artistic freedom and lack of intent to offend. What happened after the controversy? Post-controversy, she gradually stepped away from the limelight, but her bold stance and unapologetic spirit continue to inspire. From being a Miss India to a cultural rebel, Madhu Sapre's journey shows that sometimes, a single frame can shake an entire nation and redefine what it means to be fearless in your skin.
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Meet actress who debuted opposite a hero twice her age, faced several flops, but her stardom remains unmatched because..., her name is...
Actress Urvashi Rautela, more famous for her fashion statements and Insta reels than her box-office record, is now turning heads at Wimbledon 2024. And while the tennis match had its crowd, it was her flashy 'Labubu Dolls' bag that stole the spotlight. What about her film career? Despite debuting with Sunny Deol in Singh Saab The Great, Urvashi's Bollywood luck hasn't quite served aces. She has been a part of 31+ films, shows, and music videos, but most of them have flopped hard commercially. Yet, somehow, her popularity on Instagram (71.3 million followers) remains intact, a case study in digital stardom vs traditional success. Is she still linked to Rishabh Pant? Yes, her name once again popped up alongside cricketer Rishabh Pant, thanks to her own cryptic social media post. Fans were quick to speculate, but she cleared the air saying, 'I was talking about a different RP.' Still, that didn't stop meme-makers from running wild. From cricket to centre court? After many viral appearances at cricket matches, Urvashi has now switched turf to tennis, attending Wimbledon in her trademark glam style. Her over-the-top bag, poses, and presence got more attention than many on the court. She may not have a blockbuster film to her name, but Urvashi Rautela is always trending, be it Cannes, cricket stadiums, or centre court in London. Her secret? A mix of style, social media savvy, and sheer visibility. The box office might not be kind, but in the game of attention, she's still serving strong.
