Berlin's cybersex brothel fulfills a fantasy — but may pose risks

The sex and porn industries are often the earliest adopters of new technology. Just one example of this is Cybrothel, so-called the "world's first" cybersex brothel where clients can rent real dolls (humanlike and life-sized dolls) and immerse themselves in VR porn. There's also a "service for women" where customers can use dildos and vibrators while watching "porn from a feminine point of view" in VR.

According to its website, Cybrothel is inspired by doll brothels in Japan, which have existed for years. Interest in sex robots, a similar category, is growing; video sales for this niche have jumped 48.1 percent since 2018, adult video site Clips4Sale stated, and the site predicts the category will grow almost 10 percent this year alone. There are currently over 12,000 robot clips on Clips4Sale.

Thanks to recent coverage of the cybersex brothel from UK tabloids The Sun and Daily Star, there's newfound interest — and potential concern — over the use of real dolls in this context.

"There are several ethical, social, and psychological concerns associated with the concept of a Cybrothel, raising questions about its potential negative impact," wrote The Modems, a site focused on women and tech, back in October. The Modems cited objectification of women and commodification of intimacy and sex as possible consequences of this, but noted this would not apply to all clients.

"There is a question to be raised about the ramifications of consumers treating an experience with a human sex worker like a doll," dominatrix Countess Diamond told Mashable. "When they're using Cybrothel they can explore activities that wouldn't be ethical/legal/safe with a human being. There is a risk of replicating these activities in a booking with a human sex worker."

Engaging in sexual activities with a sex doll might also be harmful in terms of learning consent, Countess Diamond continued. "Depending on how Cybrothel operates, the dolls may not ever say no. The consumers therefore grow accustomed to sexual experiences where their every desire is met with enthusiasm, and won’t learn how to respect limits, adhere to boundaries set and accept 'no,'" she said.

That being said, Countess Diamond thinks Cybrothel is a fascinating business model that "meets the needs of consumers and employs sex workers' skillsets, while removing the elements involved in sex workers meeting consumers face to face" such as violating boundaries and maintenance costs (nails, lingerie, makeup, etc).

And Clips4Sale spokesperson Avery Martin said that, for many people, sex with a robot or doll is its own fantasy — not a replacement for "real sex."

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"Intimacy and attraction come in many forms, and they're rarely as simple or straightforward as people think," Martin said. "There are so many variations on the fetish, from science fiction roleplay and fantasies of control to fembot domination fantasies." Since Clips4Sale introduced the category in 2006, Martin said they've seen "nearly every permutation imaginable."

Just like all sexual fantasies, however, it's not for everyone. Escort, sex worker, and professional girlfriend Mia Lee told Mashable none of her clients have expressed "even the slightest interest" in using a sex doll. "Their reactions range from 'freaked out' to 'I prefer the real thing.'"

Lee also doubts that places like strip clubs will offer real dolls as extras, as clients come to speak to human women.

"I could be wrong," Lee continued, "but I don't see my strip club clients seeking refuge in [a] robot, no matter how lifelike."