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Austria has been gripped by sex robots since it was revealed that a bot named Fanny was more popular at a brothel in the capital, Vienna, than the actual prostitutes.

And after research revealed a third of us would happily have sex with a robot – and 40% would not consider they were cheating on their partner – the bots are growing in popularity more than ever before.

Since then, a growing number of Austrian brothels have been making the switch to include sex robots.

And now a bot named Samantha is causing quite the stir.

The robot reacts to touch, speaks multiple languages and is even said to be able to learn new things thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) software.

Samantha approaches visitors at the electronics festival – where it is currently being exhibited – by asking "How are you?" and is even seen looking people deep in their eyes or handing out hugs.

(Image: CEN/GETTY)

It even reacts when someone massages her breasts and moans.

Dr Sergi Santos, who runs the company Synthea Amatus, based in the Spanish city of Barcelona, is the man behind the development of Samantha.

He explained that through her AI, Samantha can remember individual people as she communicates according to the way she was treated by them before.

Santos said: "In addition, Samantha will get an orgasm even more at a higher sex frequency."

The hype does not stop there, as Austrian media are now reporting that an interactive silicone sex doll has become the star attraction at the Ars Electronica Festival in the city of Linz.

Samantha will be on show in Linz until September 11.

After months of fine-tuning customers can buy their very own sex robot who “likes to be touched” and can “anticipate when you’re about to ejaculate”.

In the coming months, Dr Santos is planning to sell his “very human” sex robots in adult shops worldwide.

To produce his fembots on an industrial scale, he teamed up with a Chinese sex doll and robotics factory that will allow him to make “a minimum of 50 a week”.

Daily Star Online revealed pictures from inside the factory, in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, where Dr Santos’ handcrafted sex bots are made with incredible attention to detail.

Psychologist Gerti Senger explained why some men are more interested in sleeping with sex robots such as Fanny and Samantha instead of a real woman.

Senger said: "First, the man can do anything with the doll. Second, every intention is turned off, which can be a factor with a prostitute."