London: Can you ever think of having sex with a robot? Seems weird, right? But experts claim that this could soon become the norm.

This phenomenon is called Robophilia (sexual attraction to robots) which seems like a distant and bizarre idea but could become the norm as our attitudes catch up to the technology.

It will become a reality within fifty years as attitudes evolve with technology and it may even lead to people falling in love and have sexual relationships with robots, their virtual reality partners as per experts.

Dr Driscoll, a leading authority on the psychology of sex and relationships, said 'sex tech' was already advancing at a fast pace and by 2070, physical relationships will seem primitive.Already you can order a mannequin partner online. And robotic, interactive, motion-sensing technology is likely to become more and more central to the sex industry in the next few years. "It could really start to enable mannequin partners to 'come to life'", according to Dr Driscoll, from the University of Sunderland.

She said, "We tend to think about issues such as virtual reality and robotic sex within the context of current norms. But if we think back to the social norms about sex that existed just 100 years ago, it is obvious that they have changed rapidly and radically."

"As virtual reality becomes more realistic and immersive and is able to mimic and even improve on the experience of sex with a human partner; it is conceivable that some will choose this in preference to sex with a less than perfect human being." Dr Driscoll adds: "People may also begin to fall in love with their virtual reality partners."

Researchers believe that the lack of human contact could lead to feelings of isolation and depression which could lead people to be heavily dependent on technology and some might choose a robotic partner.

(With Agency inputs)