Digisexuals: Number of people who prefer sex with robots to surge, find experts

'The era of immersive virtual sex has arrived'

(NYT)

Sex robots are becoming so common that people who solely rely on technology for their sexual needs could soon become more prolific, according to experts.

With buyers now able to customise robots to an extreme level - think character types, nipple colour, body shapes, eye colour and breast size - demand has hit an all time high.

But as a result, experts are warning that we will soon see a rise in the number of ‘digisexuals’ – people whose sexual and emotional appetites are almost entirely satisfied by the virtual world.

Published in the Journal of Sexual and Relationship Therapy, a new report from ethics researchers at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada, even goes as far as to say that some will prefer to have loving relationships with sex robots instead of humans.

“It is safe to say the era of immersive virtual sex has arrived,” said Dr Neil Mccarthur, Director of the university's centre for professional and applied ethics.

“As these technologies advance, their adoption will grow and many people will come to identify themselves as 'digisexuals' - people whose primary sexual identity comes through the use of technology.

“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.

“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.”

And, they’re not the only ones who believe that sex robots – which can have artificial intelligence and be ‘warm to the touch’ – could soon replace human interaction.

According to porn star Ela Darling, their rise in popularity could soon put adult female stars out of work.

“Right now we're at the stage where sex robots are being invented and the next step will be everybody has a sex robot.

“I do think at some point people will be having sex with sex robots instead of people.

”I don't think it will be everybody but it will be some people.”