The idea of having sex with a robot might seem more like something out of a science fiction film, but one in five of us are now open to the idea, according to new research.

A recent survey found 21 per cent of British people would have sex with a droid, and one in three would go on a date.

It comes as a leading expert on future technology claims human-on-robot sex will be more common than human-on-human sex by 2050.

Scroll down for video

A recent survey found 21 per cent of British people would have sex with a droid, and leading retailers are already increasingly manufacturing robotic sex toys they expect to be available to the mass market soon

WHAT THE SURVEY FOUND They survey asked people what they would do with a robot: Make them clean/cook - 45 per cent Have a conversation - 41 per cent Make them do my work - 38 per cent Have sex with them - 21 per cent Play a sport - 12 per cent Advertisement

The survey was done VoucherCodesPro who asked 2,816 sexually active Brits aged 18 to describe which activities they would then carry out with a cyborg.

Researchers asked those participants who said they would have sex with a robot why they would do it.

Seventy two per cent said they thought the robots 'would be very good at it' while 28 per cent said it would be a new experience.

It follows a report, released by leading futurologist Dr Ian Pearson, that said sex with robots will be more common than sex with humans by 2050.

The bots will use artificial intelligence and will look just like humans, Dr Pearson claims.

He says people will see their sexbots like their cars, spending thousands on them.

'It will be a purchase in which a lot of time is spent deliberating over appearance and functionality.

Sex with robots could soon replace human 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 realistic

'Most people will obviously buy androids that they think are attractive and even sexy, and some will be bought specifically because of that.

'With the advanced AI they will have, even functionally targeted androids will become valued members of the home, and people will form strong emotional bonds with them.

'Some people will buy their robots with sex as a key purpose.

'Others will find that they become sexually attracted to them later, but either way, sex with very smart and sexually attractive androids will become common, very common,' he said.

Neal Slateford, co-owner of online sex toy retailer Lovehoney, also sees a future where sexbots are mainstream.

'The technology is developing all the time, and the early robotic toys they have created are still out of the price range of most people - costing around £6,000 ($7,777),' he said.

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'

HOW MUCH WOULD YOU PAY? Neal Slateford, co-owner of online sex toy retailer Lovehoney, sees a future where sexbots are mainstream. 'The technology is developing all the time, and the early robotic toys they have created are still out of the price range of most people - costing around £6,000 ($7777),' he said. 'Prices will inevitably come down, and we envisage selling mass market robotic toys in around three years' time. They could be really brilliant products - and let's face it, it is the safest way to have a threesome with your partner and not end up in the divorce courts.' San Francisco-based RealDoll currently sells realistic sex dolls for around $5,000 (£3857) a unit. It recently launched a project harnessing AI to create sexbots that have customisable personalities and can talk to their owners in romantic as well as entraining ways. Advertisement

'Prices will inevitably come down, and we envisage selling mass market robotic toys in around three years' time. They could be really brilliant products - and let's face it, it is the safest way to have a threesome with your partner and not end up in the divorce courts.'

His company already plans to stock the bots when the prices are feasible for general consumers, and could even be making its own one day.

'We think this is a far better application of robotic technology than new robotic military products - it is far better to make love than war.'

Many people can see a variety of benefits that sexbots have to offer.

Behaviour therapist Nicolas Aujula sees them as a mechanism for helping fetishists explore extreme sexual fantasies, which could help fight sex crime.

Mr Aujula said: 'Over the next few years, sex bots I believe could commonly provide a safe and discreet solution for exploring fantasies – offering the possibilities of simply having more creative sex, through to satisfying extreme fetish behaviour.

'Controversially, of course, being safely able to explore and indulge in fantasies leads to the debate whether or not the use of sex bots could reduce incidences of harmful abuse against others, as well as STIs, rape, unwanted pregnancies and conditions such as AIDS.'

The Stepford Wives is a 1972 satirical thriller novel by Ira Levin, possibly the original case of 'sex robots'. The story concerns an idyllic Connecticut neighborhood in which the submissive wives turn out to be robots created by their husbands

WILL SEXBOTS STOP SEX CRIME? Many people can see a variety of benefits that sexbots have to offer. Behaviour therapist Nicolas Aujula sees them as a mechanism for helping fetishists explore extreme sexual fantasies, which could help fight sex crime. Mr Aujula said: 'Over the next few years, sex bots I believe could commonly provide a safe and discreet solution for exploring fantasies – offering the possibilities of simply having more creative sex, through to satisfying extreme fetish behaviour. Advertisement

But not everyone sees sexbots as a good idea.

Dr Kathleen Richardson, a senior research fellow in the ethics of robots at De Montfort University in Leicester, told MailOnline the bots could make humans lose their empathy.

'Sex dolls are inspired by ways of relating that do not require empathy. By promoting and cultivating these objects, we are in effect promoting non-empathetic forms of living as adults,' she said.

'The robots and dolls are not 'participating' in any sex - this is all happening in the minds of the buyers - which is why prostitution is used frequently as the reference point for these objects, a person is used like a thing.

'We have to stop treating the commercial exploitation of human bodies for sex as inevitable response to some innate biological drive or urge that is outside of human control.'

Lydia Kayne, a PhD researcher in sexbots, has joined Dr Richardson's campaign.

She is worried some users will regard sex as 'an interchangeable act' between robots and humans.

Virtual affairs could also present a problem in the future, with some partners seeing sex with a machine as infidelity, according to Dr Driscoll. Pictured is the android Anita from Channel 4 drama Humans, who at one point is used as a sex bot by a married man, causing problems in the marriage

In addition to having physical relationships with machines, advances in artificial intelligence could enable computer programs to become realistic enough to fall in love with. This was explored in the 2013 film Her, which saw Joaquin Phoenix's character (pictured) fall in love with a Siri-like operating system

THE DANGERS OF SEXBOTS Not everyone sees sexbots as a good idea. Dr Kathleen Richardson, a senior research fellow in the ethics of robots at De Montfort University in Leicester, told MailOnline the bots could make humans lose their empathy. 'Sex dolls are inspired by ways of relating that do not require empathy. By promoting and cultivating these objects, we are in effect promoting non-empathetic forms of living as adults,' she said. 'The robots and dolls are not 'participating' in any sex - this is all happening in the minds of the buyers - which is why prostitution is used frequently as the reference point for these objects, a person is used like a thing.' Lydia Kayne, a PhD researcher in sexbots, has joined Dr Richardson's campaign. She is worried some users will regard sex as 'an interchangeable act' between robots and humans. 'This would result in the same sexual objectification present in porn and sex work ultimately penetrating human relationships and human sex,' she said. Advertisement

But sex robots are becoming a trend that look set to remain on the minds of the tech industry for years to come.

Pundits are almost certain that we will be forming sexual relationships with robots in the future, and there are a number of companies that are already developing these bots for the public.

San Francisco-based RealDoll, for example, currently sells realistic sex dolls for around $5,000 (£3857) a unit.

It recently launched a project harnessing AI to create sexbots that have customisable personalities and can talk to their owners in romantic as well as entraining ways.

'The leap from human attractiveness to robot attractiveness isn't as big as you'd imagine,' said Jason Alan Snyder, chief technology officer of brand agency Momentum Worldwide.

'Just as we have chosen to automate war, so shall we automate love. As people we attach to things.

'And robots are already taking on social human-like roles. Robotics growth in complexity and capability is exponential as is their social adoption. The result? Redefining social terms for our relationship with robots.

'Moving beyond killing terrorists, driving cars and factory work to automating the care of children, the elderly and love making. Right now, there are about 50 companies that sell sex robots for men and women.