True Companions (Roxxxy)

[Keizo]

I feel sick. Doug Hines has not only already scammed every major news outlet and made us all look like losers, but now he is the FEATURED person on the new documentary by Landmark Films. Apparently it is being implied that the entire program is built around this garbage:
http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/inte ... 67.article

http://www.lvrj.com/blogs/vegasvoice/SH ... bots_.html

http://corporate.discovery.com/discover ... -miptv-20/ (listed under Discovery Health)

http://www.passiondistribution.com/inde ... 2&show=338

The only hope I see is that this recently updated site puts the working title as "Human Robot Relationship" and does not list it as still in production:
http://phoenix.gov/econdev/filmphx/tvhistory.html

Perhaps Dr. Levy was able to talk some sense to them. For those who do not believe Doug Hines and Roxxxy has caused tremendous damage to the fields of robotics and artificial intelligence then there is nothing I can say to convince you. David Levy's article in the Reports section and Hines' (non)reply said it all:
http://www.fembotcentral.com/viewtopic. ... 7&start=50

What all of you need to realize is that the rest of the world judges/encourages/finances these fields by what the media shows them and tells them. We are now the butt of the joke because Roxxxy has become the face of our fetish. As for the claims that were on the True Companion website, artificial intelligence was dealt a shameful blow when this ugly doll was unveiled and all these "scientists" were able to produce was a push button sensor that can only activate a few phrases. I can only hope that the rest of the world has enough sense to see through this and not associate it with real scientists like Dr. Levy and inventors like Le Trung.

[andoroido]

Well, after checking the titles of their "documentaries" on their website, which looks like a list of trashy tabloid stories, mostly seeming to be based on the theme of "let's make fun of unusual people", I can't say I'm not surprised.

So, for the Google hits..

Landmark Films is not to be trusted.
If Landmark Films asks to interview your forum for insight into your world, do NOT give them material.

Spread the word on other forums, on Yahoo answers, or in any way that will alert others.

The only good news I can think of is that the number of titles they're making per year seems to be in a downward trend.

[Keizo]

Unfortunately that first link doesn't seem to be working like when I checked it the first time. Anyway, my main problem is with Roxxxy getting so much publicity. I've talked to the people at Landmark and they were very professional and honest.

The sad thing is that it seems that the entire reason that this documentary came to being was because of all the press Roxxxy received and, thus, having the documentary centered around that. It is even more of a paradox that they would continue to try to showcase Doug Hines and his scam even after he jilted them at the AVN in Las Vegas and denied them a private demonstration (apparently he was saving that for a later date). I'm sure much of this is coming from Discovery's involvement since they have taken to lean toward sensationalism even if it is slated for "Discovery Health."

What troubles me the most is that this documentary will probably become a standard reference for our interest for many years to come, so for it to be TAINTED with something that is likely to be a hoax is a real shame. True Companions may no longer be in business by then, while others who have been in this business for years and have real credentials get no credit or airtime what so ever.

[jknight_2000]

After looking at all the facts involved, I wonder this, "WHY IN THE BLUE HELL ...... did we give this guy such credence." Based on what I've seen and what was posted on this site. The following facts are abundantly clear.

1. This SOB was lurking on this site for some time to come up with the Roxxxy idea in the first place. There no way this unoriginal jerk came with the idea on his own.

2. He attempted to take advantage of release of the film "2040" to boost the sales of this faux companion.

3. Now he going to use this to make himself a ton of money, and suck the originality out of this genre / fetish with the help of Landmark Studios, and attempt to make a buck.

I guess that the summary, but, there is one thing that we can do, do what we have done for years and will continue to do, until the Japanese gets idea perfected ---- PERSERVE.

Bastards, like Landmark Studios, and this "creator" of the tape recorded blow-up doll, will get their comeupance in the end. What we must as group is call this BS artist for he is and represents and move forward. I guarantee that electronic companion is closer to reality than we originally believed was possible. We already developed the AI (most AI programs have advanced to simulate thought), the female structure (Realdoll - is as close to the real thing, the movie Lars and the Real Girl shows up that.), and we have the internal workings (currently medical science have created appartus that can simulate working limbs). The only thing missing is the go-between between the components, and I believe we are close, just call the TrueCompanion for what it is, a cheap joke on history and will be forgotten just the same. Remember, us humans once believed the Sun revolved around the Earth, and a African-American could never be President, and that men would always be smarter than women. If we can overcome all this incorrectness, we can easily create and perfect the synethic companion.

JKnight

[MannequinMachinist]

I think both Keizo and JKnight make good points regarding Roxxxy. While I definitely share the concern Keizo harbors; that Roxxxy has a very good chance of generating negative stigmatization and stereotyping towards ASFRians, I have to agree with JKnight on the basis that members of the FC Community can only learn from this error and not repeat the mistakes as mentioned, and encourage and support genuine individuals associated with the FC Community that receive media exposure, such as David Levy.

But still... the mere thought of Roxxxy as "the face of our fetish" makes my stomach roil. It's just...totally wrong.

[Keizo]

Once again, I'm not sure I can hold Landmark much accountable. We still have yet to see how this documentary turns out. Also, if no one from any community or forum shares with a film company or reporter, then the truth or a more tempered perspective may never get out. One risks having only speculation from those who know nothing about an interest become the voice that is heard. Either that or only the more fringe elements will come forward and completely misrepresent the group. The people from Landmark that I spoke with were very understanding.

Besides the obvious lies from the True Companion website that has already been discussed, their claim of creating the world's first sex robot is completely false. We have known about the Andydoll in Germany for many years now and they actually have sex dolls that have moving parts. MacMil Cybernetics has posted a video of a sexbot on YouTube TWO YEARS AGO and has posted to our forum as well. The range of movement theirs is capable of is impressive at this time. And while there are more sex doll companies out there than Abyss Creations, even they have developed Realdolls with motorization. All of these qualify more as robots than Roxxxy. These are just some examples.

I hope that the original premise and catalyst for this documentary changed as it was being made and the producers/directors learned more about us as they saw real people with real hopes and dreams. In these types of situations, there is no script so what emerges may be very different than what was imagined or planned. By that same token, our hopes and dreams were exploited by a con-man and he became one of our voices. If he really was so passionate about creating a sex robot, why was he never a member here before his big announcement?

The only vindication for us is if he is exposed as such. Now that Roxxxy is old news in the public's mind, it should be allowed to fade away and for a real documentary about the true nature of our community be made that will stand the test of time. I know they have enough footage.

[MannequinMachinist]

Well put, Keizo.

If online communities such as ours refrain from sharing with producers, etc, in the future, then you're right to say that a distorted view of ASFR generated by fringe elements and opportunistic money-mongers is likely to emerge, much the same as if the community does continue to offer insight to others openly. I guess it's a double edged sword in that way.

Also, I concede that I've probably passed judgment on Landmark's documentary before giving it a proper chance. Landmark Pictures itself doesn't seem to be the villain here; it's the extortionist himself that is to blame. If they're as reasonable as you say, and do the background research, I guess the potential for changes to be made is there.

[jknight_2000]

I agree with the point Keizo is making is valid with one exception. Do you really believe this company (Landmark Studios) is going to do a true documentary. To tell you the truth, they could ...... COULD decide to expose this jerk as a fraud, and associate all of us with him. But, to tell you the truth, I have a good feeling this film is going to be scrapped anyway, the guy who created that joke of a sex doll, has been exposed as a loser, a liar, and a failure. Hopefully, the movie will focus on that, instead of degrading the group.

[loki4213]

Where is the company( true companion) located?

[keraptis]

I have to admit, I'm not understanding anything in this thread. Given how upset some people have become, I feel it's incumbent upon me to understand the issue, but I don't feel like I have any context.

Can someone provide a simple chronological summary of exactly who we're talking about and what they did?

[Keizo]

I have to admit, I'm not understanding anything in this thread. Given how upset some people have become, I feel it's incumbent upon me to understand the issue, but I don't feel like I have any context.

Can someone provide a simple chronological summary of exactly who we're talking about and what they did?

This forum was contacted by Landmark Films concerning making a documentary on "Loving A Robot" back in November and then again in April. The title then changed to "Sex Robot" and the latest incarnation I saw was "Human Robot Relationship" on a website for a TV station as it is still in production. The documentary will air on Discovery Health, BBC and RTL (which is Europe's second largest station after BBC. They were interested in any information we could give them and if any would agree to be interviewed.

The links that I provided in the first post in this thread are a bit old, but they suggested that the inspiration for this documentary was the Roxxxy "robot." It is being billed as "The World's First Sex Robot," which we know is a lie. It is allegedly sold through a website called True Companions and its primary creator is Doug Hines. Had this been known when we were first approached, I'm sure no one would have agreed to contribute to the documentary.

Dr. David Levy, who is a real scientist, professor and researcher with real credentials, gave an extremely strong case to call the legitimacy of Doug Hines into question. Also, when "Roxxxy" was unveiled during the AVN Adult Entertainment convention in Las Vegas it proved to not be a robot at all, but a doll. It is one that everyone here found VERY unattractive. Thus, we want no association with it, ESPECIALLY those who may have contributed to the documentary being created by Landmark Films. Not only does "Roxxxy" misrepresent us and make us look like losers, but it is quite possibly a serious criminal scam that will defraud many people of thousands of dollars.

Other than that, Landmark Films has been very open and honest about their intentions with this documentary and have been extremely considerate when I have spoken to them. Like I suggested before, it may have evolved from its original direction as more and more insight into our community was gleamed. Also, I wouldn't want them to be victim to aiding and abetting a crime. I hope that the documentary turns out well for all of our sake.

[keraptis]

Thanks Keizo for explaining all of that.

Reading the thread you linked to in the original post, in particular the post by Dr. Levy, gave me the context I was looking for. I don't know why I glossed over that the first time.

But if, as you imply, this Hines guy might in fact be perpetrating fraud, shouldn't that be something the documentary producer(s) would suss out pretty quickly? Perhaps the best thing that could happen would be that they get a good look, realize it's bogus, and go back to the drawing board for a more appropriate and useful focus for the documentary.