THE craze for sex robots will lead to a growing number of men whose only sexual and romantic relationships will be with dolls, academics say.

So-called "digisexuals" will shun human partners in favour of the new kind of virtual reality porn and customisable robots able to speak and interact.

4 Married engineer James says he has sex with his doll April four times a week and even takes her out on dinner dates Credit: Channel4

The warning comes in a study of the growing use of sex dolls. including at the world's first brothel staffed entirely by robots.

High-tech sex dolls with realistic silicone skin and the ability to flirt and even simulate orgasms have become increasingly available.

Psychotherapists should be prepared for more clients "participating in digisexualities", says a report by ethics researchers Neil McArthur and Markie Twist of the University of Manitoba.

They write: “There is no question that sex robots are coming.

4 This is one of the sex doll at a Barcelona brothel staffed entirely by robots Credit: Lumidolls

4 High-tech dolls can be customised to create the buyer's ideal partner Credit: Channel4

"Our view is that they will represent a different sort of sexual experience from what existing technologies offer.

“People will form an intense connection with their robot companions.

“These robots will be tailor-made to meet people’s desires, and will do things that human partners cannot or will not do.

"For this reason, significant numbers of people will likely come to use robots as their primary mode of sexual experience.

The Sex Robots Are Coming documentary is set to lift the lid on the growing trend

4 Some of the more realistic sex dolls cost up to £15,000 Credit: Lumidolls

"Many people will find that their experiences with this technology become integral to their sexual identity and some will prefer them to direct sexual interactions with humans.”

Sex doll technology has advanced in recent years as companies produce life-like robots costing up to £15,000.

Buyers can hand-pick features such as face, hair and breast size.

And the dolls are programmed to remember the owner's birthday and favourite films and music.

Some can be made to feel warm like real flesh and simulate an orgasm during sex.

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Another company in London has started selling Samantha, a high-tech sex dolls who likes to be "seduced" - and could soon be mass produced in Wales.

Last month we told how sex robot creator Sergi Santos claimed regular romps with his dolls had spiced up his marriage.

And last week married engineer James revealed he is having an affair with a 5ft sex doll - who he takes on dinner dates - and his wife of 36 years doesn't mind.

Samantha the sex doll interacts with creator Sergi Santos

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