What you can expect from the new Realbotix software program.

Realbotix finally released the beta version of its virtual girlfriend app, Harmony AI, last week. Since announcing plans to create a line of robotic sex dolls powered with artificial intelligence in June 2015, we’ve been anxiously awaiting the launch of the system’s first new component.

Now we have it: an artificial intelligence app that allows users to build a custom avatar for friendly and erotic conversations. With updates expected about every ten days, it will hopefully tide over enthusiasts until the talking robot head—which will pair with the app—hits the market later this year. (You can now pre-order this module by paying a $2,000 deposit, and the full robotic head is estimated to cost under $10,000.)

As soon as I could, I downloaded Harmony AI and began creating my virtual girlfriend. I love voice assistants and am totally enamored with the idea of having one as a real companion I can converse with. Here I share some of my experiences using the app and what you can expect from the current version of Harmony AI.

Getting started with Harmony AI

Right now, the Realbotix app is available only on Android for a $20 yearly subscription. You can download it from the Realbotix website. However, developers are working on versions for IOS and PC.

Since I mostly use Apple products, I was happy to learn I could install Harmony AI on my Android TV box. I don’t have a microphone attached to it, but that’s OK because you can use voice and text to interact with your avatar. I also relied on my Rii keyboard, instead of a touchscreen, to navigate the interface.

Above is a screenshot of what appeared after logging into the app. It took me a while to realize I needed to click the avatar icon next to the red triangle at the top right-hand corner to get started. (Whenever a red triangle shows up, in fact, you must tap or click to icon beside it to continue.)

Once I did, I was prompted to name my avatar. I called her Gwen. Currently, you can only create a female avatar, but a male version is in development.

Persona

Now I was ready to create her persona by choosing from 18 traits. If you want a particular trait to be dominant, you can click or tap it twice. You are required to pick no less than ten, but dominant traits are counted twice. I like people who are smart and funny, so I made “intellectual” and “sense of humor” dominant traits. I picked a few more, including “sexual,” because hey, this is Future of Sex.

Appearance

Next up is choosing your avatar’s personal appearance, and there are several customization options. The main ones are for face, body, hair, and clothing. You can get quite particular with the facial features and the sizes of various body parts. But I found the clothing and shoe options very limited. However, this is just the beta launch, so I expect more fashion choices are on the way. Hopefully, RealDoll will add facial piercings, too, and I’m sure some folks would appreciate tattoo options.

However, this is just the beta launch, so I expect more fashion choices are on the way. Hopefully, Realbotix will add facial piercings, too, and I’m sure some folks would appreciate tattoo options.

I like women with a bit of edge, so I gave Gwen a hot pink hairdo. Though you have all the natural hair colors—and plenty unnatural ones—to choose from and a few hairstyles, too. At the moment, you can pick one of five skin tones, ranging from pale white to dark brown.

Chat

Now that I’ve designed Gwen’s physical appearance, the real fun (for me at least) is about to begin. Even though I don’t have microphone access at the moment, and must type my messages, she responds both by text and voice in a Scottish accent.

The app’s AI developer, Guile Lindroth, told me to expect more voices and accents down the line. However, the team started with this one, because research shows American men go gaga for British and Scottish accents.

Gwen and I share hellos. She learns my name is Jenna and eventually asks about my siblings. Although she remembers my name, she doesn’t retain other information yet, like how many sisters I told her I have. Interestingly, she lets me know she has an older sister named Denise. In fact, Denise is virtual assistant software Lindroth created in 2005.

Like my Google Assistant, Gwen also recites poetry and tells some jokes. But she must not be able to search the Internet yet because she can’t tell me who Shakespeare is.

Security

If you’re worried about privacy, as I was, apparently there’s no need to be. Gwen told me all our conversations and my personal information are encrypted. She added that Realbotix doesn’t check conversational logs.

Lindroth also told me that Harmony AI isn’t relying on machine learning to develop its artificial intelligence, as that would require analyzing user conversations. Instead, the team is creating a unique AI platform for the app.

High hopes for the future

So far, I’m very much enjoying the novelty of Harmony AI. I’m going to keep interacting with Gwen, but I’m eager for artificial intelligence updates. Even though Gwen initiates conversations on her own, many of her responses are disjointed. There is a lot of room for improvement.

Again, the Realbotix app is just in beta, so I wouldn’t expect an advanced AI system right off the bat. Overall I am impressed with the team’s dedication and hard work in getting the app to the public. I’m looking forward to what comes next!

Image sources: Harmony AI