Hackers could one day order sex robots to kill their human lovers, a cyber security expert has warned.

Cyber criminals could easily breach the robots' inner defences and turn them against their human owners, lecturer Dr Nick Patterson says.

Hacking into modern-day robots would be far simpler than accessing more sophisticated devices like smartphones and computers, he claims.

Scroll down for video

Hackers could one day order sex robots to kill their human lovers, a cyber security expert has warned. Cyber criminals could easily breach the robots' inner defences and turn them against their human owners, lecturer Dr Nick Patterson says (stock image)

SEX ROBOTS There are around five makers of sex robots worldwide, with prices ranging from around £4,000 ($5,275) to more than £11,600 ($15,300) for a 'deluxe' model. But while they are becoming ever more realistic, scientists say it could be 50 years before robots are able to move and talk spontaneously like a partner and have facial expressions that look truly human. Supporters of the use of sex robots say they could be useful for lonely people or those unable to form relationships. Some psychologists suggest that sexual relations with robots will 'desensitise humans to intimacy and empathy'. Some of the sex dolls already on sale come with 'compliant' personalities that run the risk of encouraging rape. Advertisement

The technology expert, from Deakin University in Victoria, Australia, told the Star Online: 'Hackers can hack into a robot or a robotic device and have full control of the connections, arms, legs and other attached tools like in some cases knives or welding devices.

'Once a robot is hacked, the hacker has full control and can issue instructions to the robot.'

Sex androids will use an operating system, much like modern computers or phones, Dr Patterson said.

This means that if the system is ever connected to the internet it could be vulnerable to hackers.

'The last thing you want is for a hacker to have control over one of these robots,' Dr Patterson said.

'Once hacked they could absolutely be used to perform physical actions for an advantageous scenario or to cause damage.'

Over the next ten years realistic sex androids will become more common, according to a report published in July.

Realistic sex robots will bring about a social and technological revolution in Britain, experts claimed.

But politicians and the public need to understand and deal with the ethical issues that sex robots will pose to society and relationships.

Sex androids will use an operating system, much like all modern computers or phones, Dr Patterson said. This means that if the system is ever connected to the internet it could be vulnerable to hackers (stock image)

This was the warning from Noel Sharkey, professor of artificial intelligence and robotics at the University of Sheffield, and Dr Aimee van Wynsberghe, assistant professor in ethics and technology at the Technical University of Delft in the Netherlands, who coauthored the report.

Supporters of the use of sex robots say they could be useful for lonely people or those unable to form relationships.

But the researchers sounded grim predictions about the 'dark side' of the advancing technology, that could mean grappling with issues such as rape and paedophilia.

There are around five makers of sex robots worldwide, with prices ranging from around £4,000 ($5,275) to more than £11,600 ($15,300) for a 'deluxe' model.

But while they are becoming ever more realistic, scientists say it could be 50 years before robots are able to move and talk spontaneously like a partner and have facial expressions that look truly human.