Potpourri

6 Fascinating Ways Technology Is Changing Our Sex Lives

July 2, 2014 by Justin Lehmiller

Over the last few years, we have increasingly incorporated technology into our sex lives. For instance, people are using cameras and computers to create their own amateur porn and share it with the world, they’re engaging in cybersex and sexting, and they’re using apps with GPS functionality to locate nearby sex partners. However, these are just a few of the many ways that technology and sex are interfacing today. In this post, I’d like to take you on a tour of some of the most interesting new “sexnological” developments.

A case for your iPad that you can literally have sex with – Fleshlight has just released a new iPad case called the Launchpad, which basically lets guys hump their iPad while watching porn or having cybersex. Launchpad is the perfect gift for that guy in your life who wants to be even more attached to his technology.

An iPhone app that teaches you proper cunnilingus technique – A new app called Lick This offers to “train your tongue” in the art of oral sex because “practice makes pleasure.” However, to use the app, you have to be willing to lick your phone screen. If you’re concerned about germs (which wouldn’t be unreasonable, because our phones are covered in them), I guess you could wrap your phone in Saran wrap first. If you’ve always wanted to get past second base with Siri, this app may be your dream come true.

The most realistic sex dolls money can buy – Forget blow-up dolls, a company called Sinthetics is now offering “life size, fully articulated, anatomically correct” sex dolls (or “manikins” as the company calls them). These are probably the most life-like sex dolls money can buy (check out some sample images on the Sinthetics website), and they can be completely customized to your personal likes and (if applicable) fetishes. Breasts and penises come in all sizes, you can say where you want hair and where you don’t, and you can even give your new friend things like tattoos, piercings, and tan lines. Oh, and elf ears and monster eyes are options too. Manikins start at $5,500, but if you want a completely custom body or head, expect to spend quite a bit more.

Pleasure your partner (or yourself) with remote-controlled underwear – blueMotion, developed by OhMiBod, is a set of vibrating panties that you can control from your smartphone via a Bluetooth connection. An app on your phone lets you control the speed and intensity of the vibrations. Learn more here. And, no, I don’t know when the wi-fi model is coming out!

Turn ordinary household items into dildos in an instant – Have you ever looked at an object around your house and said, “I wish I could turn that into a dildo?” If so, Dildomaker is the device for you. It quickly and easily transforms everything from vegetables to hot dogs to candles into dildos. It works kind of like a pencil sharpener: just stick the tip in, crank the device, and presto! A perfect dildo every time. Check out a few examples here.

The robot that helps you masturbate – Finally, for that guy in your life who thinks masturbation is just too much work, here is a prototype of a robot that can literally give him a hand. This robot basically holds a plastic tube over your penis and moves it up and down while you wear a pair of virtual reality goggles that displays a sex scene. The robot moves its arms in time with the thrusts you see on screen. Check out the video below for a closer look at how it works, complete with a truly uncomfortable anime sex scene.

What are your thoughts on all of these new sexual technologies? Is it good that we’re expanding our sexual repertoires in this way? Or are we starting to emphasize electronic connections at the expense of human connections? Weigh in with your perspective in the Comments section below.

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Image Source: iStockphoto.com

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Written by
Dr. Justin Lehmiller
Founder & Owner of Sex and Psychology

Dr. Justin Lehmiller is a social psychologist and Research Fellow at The Kinsey Institute. He runs the Sex and Psychology blog and podcast and is author of the popular book Tell Me What You Want. Dr. Lehmiller is an award-winning educator, and a prolific researcher who has published more than 50 academic works.

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