Humanoid robots which backflips like a boss are rigid and strong. They are made to look like us, but researchers are working hard to give robots a more human appeal. Pole dancing robots created by artist Giles Walke from the United Kingdom are unveiled at a strip club in Las Vegas coinciding with the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). CES, the world’s biggest tech show, which according to media reports attracts 185,000 (mostly male) attendees each year, is a hit globally.

Pale white robot strippers whirled around poles on 8th January 2018. The robots were flown from London for the occasion to perform at the club all week in honour of CES. People are walking through the doors of the Sapphire Gentlemen’s Club, at the far end of the main avenue and towards the centre of Old Vegas in search of robots.  The robots were an obvious promotion during the busiest week of the year in Las Vegas, the 50th CES.

Sapphire owner Peter Feinstein have been quoted in a report, “We thought this would be a great way to tie into the CES crowd. These robots are interesting because of the technology, and they are a lot of fun. They really are art pieces.” The robots were mannequins with surveillance camera heads. Walker said that he was influenced to make such robots seven years ago with the rise of CCTV cameras being used in Britain for safety purposes.

However, the event could not be less controversial. After visiting the show, few were upset as they were expecting more robot strips. Spectators were of the opinion that the robot seemed to mostly just bob up and down and twirl slowly on the pole. Further, it is also facing sexism and gender disparity that again put stripper robots in a very different light. Some see dancing robots as yet another example of a chauvinist industry lacking self awareness. In any case, people in Vegas would not miss this sight and fancy at how exceptional the future really is!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 12, 2018 07:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).