The AI and robot company Realbotix, which was recently part of a restructuring following an acquisition, is set to release its “next-generation” AI-equipped humanoid robot in January 2025.
Earlier this year Tokens.com, an investment company, acquired Simulacra Corporation, which included the subsidiaries Realbotix and sex doll manufacturer Abyss Creations, and subsequently rebranded itself as Realbotix Corp. The Las Vegas-based RealDoll sex doll brand, arguably the most well-known company in the western world’s sex doll sector, is made under the Abyss Creations banner.
Realbotix Corp, in addition to rebranding from Tokens.com, has also become a public company. The recent restructuring, and its leaders’ media appearances, have suggested that sex robots may be a less visible priority for the group of brands going forward. The new robot set to be unveiled in January is highly unlikely to be a sex robot.
Realbotix was launched in 2011 by Matt McMullen, founder of Abyss Creations, in part to expand the programmable software and AI capabilities of RealDoll sex robots. McMullen is chief operating officer (COO) of the new incarnation of Realbotix.
Shortly before the acquired and rebranded version of Realbotix went public in summer 2024, the company revealed Aria, its new AI humanoid robot (pictured at the top of the article), who comes equipped with a Scottish accent. Although Realbotix has talked about Aria and her like being able to enhance “play”, she does not appear to be a sex robot. Aria also appears as a digital avatar in other Realbotix marketing material.
Realbotix at CES 2025
Realbotix also announced that the company’s “next generation” AI humanoid robot will be unveiled on January 7, 2025 at the CES technology convention in Las Vegas. Aria will also be displayed at the CES 2025 event.
Andrew Kiguel, Realbotix’s CEO, said the unveiling next January will mark a “significant milestone in our mission to blend advanced AI with lifelike design, creating meaningful connections between humans and technology. Aria has been a trailblazer, and we look forward to showcasing the future of companionship and interaction through our latest innovations.”
Kiguel has talked about how, unlike companies like Tesla, Realbotix strives to make humanoid robots as realistic as possible, so they can be interacted with as friends.
Discussion about the role of sex robots amid the new Realbotix structuring has been less forthcoming. In 2023, when talking about future plans, McMullen told Authority Magazine that Abyss Creations will still “continue to offer its products”, but no specific mentions of sex robots or RealDolls were published in the substantial interview piece.
Similarly, when McMullen and Kiguel spoke to Stocks To Watch (see video above), neither mentioned, or were asked about, RealDoll and sex robots.
Considering that the pair were likely giving interviews to drum up investment interest in Realbotix stocks, this is understandable. For all the talk of taboo-busting among the sextech industry, many investors can be put off by the idea of holding stock in companies linked to sexual pleasure products.
In July, when reporting on the acquisition, The Logic said [paywall] that Realbotix was looking to shed its “X-rated past”.
While sex robots may not be Realbotix’s flagship products going forward, there is no suggestion that Abyss Creating is winding down RealDoll production or innovation. In 2023, McMullen said that he was expanding “companion-based AI robot technology” with Realbotix. SEXTECHGUIDE has contacted McMullen to ask for an update on RealDoll’s future plans.
However, it does seem like Realbotix is now looking to turbo-charge the non-sex-related aspects of its business. The company has sold products to the US military, conferences, and is set to supply robots to a new theme park on the west coast of the US.
The push could still end up being good news for sex robot users, even if Realbotix doesn’t shout about that side of the business too much publicly. The company said it is working on perfecting AI improvements, such as robots that recognise humans they’ve met before.
So, with Realbotix placing so much onus on companionship and friendship with regard to robot presentation, the “next generation” model unveiled next January could still have huge implications for “more than friends” robot technology.
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