Disturbing images have emerged from inside a Chinese sex robot factory where people can order custom-made AI dolls, some of which are the size of children.

The AI dolls, which cost on average $3,100 (£2,300), have soft and elastic skin made from rubbery plastic that contain less oil content than normal plastics and reportedly do not smell.

The plastic is heated to 37°C to reflect a human's body temperature and developers say these perverse dolls have body sensors that also make them feel human-like.

The company that makes the robots, Shenzhen Atall Intelligent Robot Technology which is based in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, says most of its clients are 40 to 50-year-old men that come from Europe and the US.

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Disturbing images give an insight into China's strange sex robot factory where people can order custom-made AI dolls, some of which are the size of children. Pictured is a vendor and costumer in the shop in Guangzhou Adult Market in Guangzhou

US customers like robots with darker skin and large breasts, buttocks and genitals while Chinese customers go for for Asian features with small, hairless genitals, the company says.

Most shockingly, the firm is selling child-size AI sex robots, both male and female, and the biggest market for them is in the US and Canada.

However, the perverse fetish for child-like dolls is nothing new. Last year it was revealed there has been a surge in men ordering sex dolls from Hong Kong.

Dozens of these vile 'lifelike' figures were impounded by Norwegian authorities with convicted paedophiles among the men aged 18-60 who had bought them.

The robots' bodies are made from modified thermoplastic elastomers (TBE) with a metal skeleton and they are around half the weight of normal human beings.

The company says they have anti-electric shock, anti-fire and anti-explosion measures.

These AI dolls, which cost around $3,100 (£2,300), have soft and elastic skin made from modified thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). Pictured are bodies of the 'smart' sex dolls hanging to dry in dolls factory in Dongguan, Guandong Province

The plastic is heated to 37°C to reflect a human's body temperature and developers say these perverse dolls have body sensors that make them feel human-like. Pictured is a user holding a hand of his 'smart' sex doll as he sits on a sofa in his home in Guangzhou

Pictured is a worker assembling a doll in dolls factory in Dongguan. US customers like robots with darker skin and large breasts, buttocks and genitals while Chinese customers go for Asian features with small, hairless genitals, the company says

WHERE ARE AUTHORITIES TRACKING DOWN SALES OF VILE CHILD SEX DOLLS? Last year it was revealed there has been a surge in men ordering sex dolls from Hong Kong. Dozens of these vile 'lifelike' figures were impounded by Norwegian authorities with convicted paedophiles among the men aged 18-60 who had bought them. In January last year vile sex robots designed to look like children as young as five were seized by the UK National Crime Agency. At least 23 people were arrested in relation to the dolls, which were being posted into the UK. One man was under investigation for bringing in a large quantity of the dolls for 'commercial' usage, while others whose addresses appear on shipments for individual dolls were also being looked into. The NCA representative told MailOnline at the time: 'Under customs regulations it is an offence to import 'indecent or obscene articles.' 'As such, if NCA/Border Force officers deem an item obscene (ie. clearly childlike) they have the power to seize it. 'Many such seizures have been made by Border Force, particularly in postal/fast parcel traffic. 'Those seizures are referred on to the appropriate law enforcement agency - The NCA currently has a live investigation into an individual who is suspected of importing commercial quantities of such dolls.' In 2016 it was revealed that up to 18 consignments of life-size dolls had been seized by the border force officials in Australia since 2013. The anatomically-correct rubber dolls sent from overseas have been destroyed or used for pending further investigation, a Department of Immigration and Border Protect spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia. The sexualised dolls, which resemble children as young as five, were sold via the Japanese website to paedophiles across the globe. However, counselling organisation Sexpo has sparked controversy by arguing the figures should be made available to give paedophiles 'a channel for their desires'. In an open letter to the Norwegian authorities it said: 'A person who uses a lot of money and effort to purchase the doll has already made the decision that he wants to carry out the sexual tendency. 'Therefore, it is important that the customs authorities or others concerned about the sex dolls actors do not hamper their availability.' Advertisement

Currently the robot's eyes, lips and head move and they speak English and Chinese, developers say.

Flexible joints mean the dolls can be positioned in a variety of poses for display as well as sexual acts.

The company also produces custom-made AI sex robots which sell for $9,400 (£7,000).

So far two have been ordered by men who wanted them based on the image of their wife who had passed away.

According to the company French customers like robots with blond curly hair, blue eyes and hairless genitals with a natural pink colour.

Spanish customers prefer robots with darker skin, full lips and larger genitals, writes News4Europe.

Around 70 per cent of these customers also like hair on genitals.

Most shockingly, the firm is selling child-size AI sex robots, both male and female, and the biggest market for them is in the US and Canada. A child size AI sex doll robot is seen in front of the adult size robots in Shenzhen Atall Intelligent Robot Technology headquarters

Pictured is the electronic skull of a robot. The company also produces custom-made AI sex robots which sell for $9,400 (£7,000). So far two have been ordered by men who wanted them based on the image of their wife who had passed away

There is also high interest from the Middle East but importing sex toys into these countries is prohibited, developers say.

Customs clearance for these dolls in Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Russia and the Philippines is also problematic.

Male sex robots are also sold but they are nine times less popular than female robots.

Customers say that cleaning the robots can be a chore because the skin is fragile and gets dirty very easily.

As well as sex robots, the company also produces educational robots, commercial servicing robots and guardianship robots for the elderly.

According to the company French customers like robots with blond curly hair, blue eyes and hairless genitals with a natural pink colour. A worker, pictured, hangs dolls' bodies to dry and checks them in sex dolls factory in Dongguan

Spanish customers prefer robots with darker skin, full lips and larger genitals. Around 70 per cent of these customers also like hair on genitals. Pictured is a worker assembling sex dolls

There is also high interest from the Middle East but importing sex toys into these countries is prohibited, developers say

Pictured is a man interacting with his 'smart' sex doll. Customs clearance for these dolls in Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Russia and the Philippines is also problematic. Male sex robots are also sold but they are nine times less popular than female robots

Customers say that cleaning the robots can be a chore because the skin is fragile and gets dirty very easily

As well as sex robots, the company also produces educational robots, commercial servicing robots and guardianship robots for the elderly

A sex doll robot is prepared to be shipped at the Shenzhen Atall Intelligent Robot Technology show room. According to the company, their elderly escort robots are their high-end product and believed to have the best future on the market, in part due to China's ageing population

ARE SMART SEX DOLLS BRINGING SCIENCE FICTION TO LIFE? Sex robots have long been a part of science fiction, and are often used by writers to show the menacing side of technology. But, with the development of intelligent, more realistic looking sex dolls, they're fast becoming a part of real life, too. The rise of sex robots such as 'Silicon Samantha' and Realbotix Harmony RealDoll has caused many to draw parallels to popular science fiction narratives. In the 2015 film Ex Machina, programmer Nathan (Oscar Isaac) has cold and cruel sex with his creation, Ava (Alicia Vikander). However, she has the last laugh when she kills him and escapes to live covertly among humans. In the TV series Westworld, Thandie Newton plays brothel madame Maeve Millay who is frequently killed by guests during sex only to be patched up and put back to work again. In Channel 4’s Humans, Anita is a domestic nanny robot. But her male owner initiates her sex program - much to the disgust of his wife when she finds out. Another robot in the show, Niska, acts as a prostitute, and later goes on to kill one of her clients. In Blade Runner, Pris, a ‘basic pleasure model’ robot, goes on to become a brutal and cold killer. Sometimes, however, humans are the biggest villains. In AI, directed by Steven Spielberg, prostitute robot Gigolo Joe - played by Jude Law - is framed for murder and later killed. Advertisement

According to the company, their elderly escort robots are their high-end product and believed to have the best future on the market, in part due to China's ageing population.

The company says there are still ten to 20 years away from having fully functioning robots that can move their hands and walk like humans.

When they are ready, the company says they will be available on the market for an 'affordable price'.

Shenzhen Atall CEO Wang Shao Fang says his company sees increasing demand for education models through China's 'One Belt and One Road' development strategy.

'Those countries who belong to (the) 'One Belt One Road' region...many of them want to learn Chinese. Our robots can teach people Chinese (including children and adults). This is a great tool for education and translation.

'Their functionality is more than our other robots.

'In addition to the regular chats with the elderly, the robots can also monitor the health of people and help them to call police, relatives, an ambulance, etc', he said.

The company says there are still ten to 20 years away from having fully functioning robots that can move their hands and walk like humans. When they are ready, the company says they will be available on the market for an 'affordable price'

Shenzhen Atall CEO Wang Shao Fang says his company sees increasing demand for education models through China's 'One Belt and One Road' development strategy

'Those countries who belong to (the) 'One Belt One Road' region...many of them want to learn Chinese. Our robots can teach people Chinese (including children and adults). This is a great tool for education and translation', said Mr Wang

'In addition to the regular chats with the elderly, the robots can also monitor the health of people and help them to call police, relatives, an ambulance, etc',said Mr Wang

Sex robots have long been a part of science fiction, and are often used by writers to show the menacing side of technology. But, with the development of intelligent, more realistic looking sex dolls, they're fast becoming a part of real life, too

The rise of sex robots such as 'Silicon Samantha' and Realbotix Harmony RealDoll has caused many to draw parallels to popular science fiction narratives. Pictured is an an AI sex doll robot with a screen in a head on display at the Shenzhen Atall Technology show room

A vendor, pictured, shows goods in Guangzhou Adult Market shop in Guangzhou. In the 2015 film Ex Machina, programmer Nathan (Oscar Isaac) has cold and cruel sex with his creation, Ava (Alicia Vikander)

Pictured is a doll sitting at a kitchen table. In the TV series Westworld, Thandie Newton plays brothel madame Maeve Millay who is frequently killed by guests during sex only to be patched up and put back to work again