Noel Sharkey, professor of robotics at Sheffield University, said that teenagers may lose their virginity to sex robots in the future warning that android sex dolls may have damaging consequences for society.

Speaking at the Cheltenham Science Festival, Professor Sharkey said that just as the rise of internet porn took the Government by surprise, a similarly seismic robot revolution is on the way – with far-reaching consequences, Daily Mail mentions.

He explained: ‘It’s not a problem having sex with a machine. But what if it’s your first time, your first relationship?

‘What do you think of the opposite sex then? What do you think a man or a woman is?’

He added: ‘It will get in the way of real life, stopping people forming relationships with normal people.’
Professor Sharkey said these dolls should not be sold to teenagers, but would inevitably fall into their hands.

He said: ‘Sex robots are accessible now and certainly [will be common] within the next ten years. I think there will be an age limit. Certainly there should be, but if your dad or mum had one, you could sneak in and use it.’