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Robots are already putting a variety of jobs under threat from security guards to office managers, but soon they could be venturing into the sex industry too.
Women and men could begin swapping human partners for androids within the next 10 years, according to predictions by a futurologist.
Dr Ian Pearson, an inventor who has made a career out of predicting the future for PR firms, has produced a report on the future of sex.
Sex with robots could soon replace human intimate relationships according to a recent report. It claims that intercourse with robots could overtake human intercourse by 2050. Already it is possible to buy basic sex robots like the True Companion Roxxxy (pictured) but technology will make make such bots more realisitic
He believes that sex with robots will become so popular that it will eventually overtake human intercourse by around 2050.
WOULD YOU MARRY A ROBOT?
While there are fears robots may rise up to take over the world if artificial intelligence progresses too quickly, some of us may find ourselves simply marrying machines in the future.
A leading computer scientist has predicted that as robots become more human-like, people may start turning to them for companionship.
His predictions mirror the plot of the hit TV series Humans, where people formed emotional attachments to robots brought in to help out around the home.
Unlike other technology, such as mobile phones and computers, robots will have the ability to interact with us in a far more realistic way.
Dr Kevin Curran,a senior member of the Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers and a computer scientist at the University of Ulster, argues cloud computing has the potential to transform artificial intelligence so robots can become far more lifelike.
Speaking to MailOnline, he said: 'It seems that when these machines do act in ways just like adults, where they can interact and talk in real-time, robots will become the perfect companion.
'We have got to ask ourselves will robots be re-purposed for companionship? Will humans become intimate with robots? The answer, I believe, is yes.
'Will we start to see people fighting court cases to win the right to marry their companion? We may see court cases arguing that these artificial beings have the same rights as humans.'
He believes that while the market for sex dolls is currently driven by male customers, sex robots could become as popular with women.
In the report, commissioned by Bondara, an adult online store, he said most people will have some form of sex using virtual reality headsets by 2030.
It comes at a time when many sex toy companies are developing new devices that integrate with smartphones and link to the internet.
Dr Pearson believes that in the future many toys will link directly to our nervous systems or even tap into our dreams.
Speaking to MailOnline, he said: 'While there will be some people who will buy robots specifically for sex, most will buy them for use around the home.
'But if they are spending as much on a domestic robot as they would on a family -sized car, they are not going to go for something ugly. They are going to pick robots they find attractive.
'With artificial intelligence it is likely people will form relationships with these household robots and it is inevitable then that they will have sex with them too.'
In a recent presentation he made at the Eindhoven Design Academy, he said people may also be able to 'hack' their own appearance with technology.
For example polymer displays could be used to enhance nipples while hair extensions could incorporate ultrafine optical fibres.
Writing in his report for Bondara, Dr Pearson said: 'As well as toys and apps, we'll also get direct nervous systems links, dream linking and even body sharing.
'You'll be able to link your dream sex to other people, feel their sensations as well as your own, and directly stimulate orgasms by the touch of an icon, or even send someone an orgasm over messages.
'Sex will be easier, safer, more frequent and a lot more fun.'
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The report also suggests people will have 'real sex' wearing VR contact lenses and could be seeing a totally different person such as a celebrity, or alter their partner's face or 'costume' to make them more attractive.
Along with the use of virtual reality, it claims humans will one day use technology to directly stimulate the septal area of the brain to create an orgasm at the touch of a button, share experiences, inhabit other people's bodies, even lock a partner in place or control them electronically.
The report says sexbots could be used in strip clubs and be 'perfect for those people who want to live their ultimate fantasy without all the strings and emotional commitments of real relationships'. However, others think sexbots (one pictured) could seriously damage human relationships and are 'unneccesary'
The report looks at how sex will evolve and predicts love and sex will become increasingly separate in the future, as robots take on human roles such as in sci-fi scenarios seen in 'Humans' and Spike Jonze's film, Her (a still from Her is pictured showing Joaquin Phoenix's character falling in love with an operating system
As imaged in the sci-fi drama 'Humans', the report predicts robots will replace human workers in strip clubs and brothels, while wealthy households could have their own 'sexbots' in just 10 years' time.
By 2030, most people will have some form of virtual sex as casually as they browse porn today.
By 2035 the majority of people will own sex toys that interact with virtual reality sex.
'Sexbots' will start to appear in high-income, very wealthy households as soon as 2025.
Sex with robots will be more popular than human-human sex in 2050
Love and the act of sex is set to become increasingly separate, with relationships increasingly becoming based on more than just sex.
The report suggests such robots would have AI 'to offer a customisable personality with only the emotional baggage you want' and would be 'perfect for those people who want to live their ultimate fantasy without all the strings and emotional commitments of real relationships.
The report says: 'For humans, VR can enhance appearance and the appearance of ability.
'Your partner could have the perfect physique and entertain you with the sexiest moves, or they could just be their regular selves.'
Currently rudimentary robot sex dolls are available. One variety called True Companion – which comes as Roxxxy for the female variety and Rocky for the male - sell for $9995 (£6,900).
The dolls can be customised and the company offers a variety of skin tones, faces and hair colours.
But while its articulated skeleton means the dolls can be positioned by hand, they cannot move their limbs independently.
NO SEX FOR PEPPER! ROBOT'S JAPANESE MAKERS OUTLAW PHYSICAL RELATIONSHIPS
Within a minute of going on sale two months ago, the first 1,000 Pepper robots sold out in Japan.
The robot that can read human emotions, comes with a set of comprehensive instructions and guidelines, preparing owners for life with him - and warning them not to have sex with the machine.
Dig deeply enough, and there are some rules related to ethics and proper conduct, and one in particular has been gaining headlines in Japan - there will be no sex for Pepper.
The loosely translated rule states using Pepper for 'acts for the purpose of sexual or indecent behavior, or for the purpose of associating with unacquainted persons of the opposite sex' is prohibited, and would break the ownership contract, according toRocket News.
Japanese journalist Yuri Kageyama spent half a day with the robot ahead of its delivery to its first customers later this month. He said that the most striking feature is the 'absolutely ardent attention it gives you.' It told Mr Kageyama he looked a bit thin and should watch what he eats, before it asked him about his day
According to initial reviews, the four-foot (1.2 metre) machine-on-wheels is charming, considerate, offers advice and will 'prattle on and on' making small talk.
The potential complexities of humans having relationships with robots was explored in the recent TV drama Humans (pictured)
'If we can keep love and our emotional human relationships but have more, better and safer sex, what's not to like?'
HOW WOULD ROBOTS HAVE SEX?
Opinions differ as to how robots could breed and reproduce in the future.
George Zarkadakis, an engineer and novelist, believes robots that are both silicon and carbon based, could have sex at a molecular level to produce offspring - although how this could happen is unclear.
Professor Noel Sharkey said that there might not be any need to look at molecules as robots can be 'bred' by swapping software so that the code used to make robots perform certain tasks particularly well, can be combined to create a 'child'.
He believes that robots of the future will be able to print their offspring, a little like a 3D printer, but could assemble them too.
Mr Zarkadakis said if robots could have sex, it would defend them from computer viruses and make them more robust.
However, some experts believe sexbots could seriously damage human relationships and Kathleen Richardson, robot ethicist at DeMontfort University, Leicester, said technology is 'unnecessary and undesirable'.
But Noel Sharkey, professor of artificial intelligence and robotics at Sheffield University, has also warned that teenagers may lose their virginity to sex robots in the future.
(DAILY MAIL)
