The road to Hell is paved with good intentions. As a race, we rely on our oversized brains for our survival, meaning our evolution can be marked more in terms of intelligence than physical progression. However, being capable of reasoned, considered thought does not always engender positive change. As we stagger blindly through a minefield of vapid social media profiles, pausing only to capture a crisp image of our morning latte, it is tempting to consider quite how some of the 'advancements' we have made in recent years actually benefit humanity. Yet stumble on we do, blithely ignorant of some of the most pertinent issues of our day, infatuated instead by vapid, false idols in the form of celebrities who hold far more influence in our lives than most of us would care to admit. [[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/BZd3QFRFf0L/?taken-by=kimkardashian]] In such times, it is perhaps inevitable that our grip on reality seems to be fading somewhat, replaced instead by a fictional parallel that bears no semblance to what we might glibly refer to as 'real life'. Such a mind set, of course, is not without its consequences. When we eschew reality for its digital alternative, our relationships are in danger of breaking down as our civilisation isolates itself more and more, valuing convenience over meaningfulness. Cue Samantha, a disturbingly realistic looking sex doll that recently hit the market to much fanfare and bewilderment. Helpfully, Samantha comes with a "sex mode" as well as a "family mode" (heaven forbid you set her to the wrong program at the breakfast table), is - horrifyingly - cold to touch (putting one in mind of a cadaver), and USB-chargeable. Useful. In family mode, Samantha is a veritable socialite, able to hold court on philosophy, tell jokes to your presumably dumbstruck children and even provide motivational quotes if you're feeling a little sluggish. In sex mode, an artificial G-spot, which is filled with sensors, can simulate an orgasm. So there's that. While this sounds a little like the opening sequence to a late night TV movie, Samantha models are being sold at sex shops in the UK for the princely sum of £3,500, and it is believed that 30 dolls have been sold worldwide thus far. “We get some strange reactions when we tell people what we are doing, but we are not perverts, and these dolls are not for perverts,” says Arran Lee Squire who co-created the doll. “They can be used for normal, professional couples; people can have a threesome with the dolls, and we have tried it out ourselves. There is nothing weird about the doll, and it is to help people, not replace women.” Anyone who has watched one of those late night TV movies will be well acquainted with the potential horrors of a human/robot relationship epidemic, though many experts are predicting a flourishing future for realistic sex robots like Samantha. The future, it would seem, is here, and it's USB-chargeable.

Technology has progressed in leaps and bounds over the last few decades. Computers have gone from being as big as cars to sleek pieces of pocket-sized gadgetry, social media has become as integral to our lives as food or shelter, and pretty much everyone in the western world owns at least one Apple product.

Oh, and sex toys have upped their game too.

However, some scientists are worrying that the sorts of gadgets we use in our - uh - personal lives are getting a bit too advanced, and that continuing along this path could spell out a very bleak future for humanity.

In a recent documentary called Sex Robots and Us, experts have come forward to warn of the dangers that sex robots could pose.

Noel Sharkey, who works for the Foundation of Responsible Robotics, was a particularly vocal critic. He explained that, by making sex "too easy" to access, the act of intercourse would lose all meaning, and the bonds that we form through sexual connection would slowly start to slip away.

"We're just doing all this stuff with machines because we can and not really thinking how this could change humanity completely," Sharkey explained. "Some people have suggested that sex robots create an attitude of "too easy" sex which is always available. This could take meaning out of our lives and turn us into zombies."

What's more, the computer scientist also warned that these robots could be used by the likes of pedophiles and rapists to indulge in deviant behavior, as there's nothing stopping people from making childlike robots, or robotic partners that would say "no" to sex.

Unfortunately, it might already be too late to turn back.

"There is no question that sexbots are coming. People will form an intense connection with their robot companions," warned Dr Neil McArthur, an academic at the University of Manitoba.

Indeed, just last month, researchers on the topic predicted that humanity would soon witness the emergence of a new sexuality: digisexual. People who identify as this orientation would feel a genuine attraction to machines, and would even prefer to have a "relationship" with a robot than a real human being.

"These robots will be tailor-made to meet people's desires and will do things that human partners cannot or will not do," McArthur explains - meaning that people can essentially build their ideal sexual companion.

Already, sex robots are fairly customizable, and people can alter the facial features of their techno-lover in order to sculpt them into the person of their dreams. However, this obviously throws up some huge ethical dilemmas such as: what if you want to make a robot look like a real person in your life? What if you want the robot for violent purposes? What if people begin to value robots more than other people?

But we must remember that this is still all speculation for now. In the past, we probably had similar discussions about cars and mobile phones, and - for the most part - they haven't ruined our lives (yet).

However, while this technology is still being worked on, perhaps we should consider the dangers of inviting robotic sex slaves into our homes. After all, if they somehow gain sentience, it could be us that ends up being used for all kinds of freaky purposes...

The world that we are currently living in appears to be getting more virtual by the second. The rise of online dating, social media and VR headsets has seen us take a step away from each other and interact with our screens more and more. But it's not just in our social lives where this transition into the virtual world is happening. Step into your local grocery store and it'll be full of automated checkouts with no people working on the tills. Not only this, but head around to your friend's house and it's more than likely that you'll find them getting jiggy with a robot.

Wait... what?

Yep, sex robots are taking over. While sex dolls used to be little more than a novelty in which were commonly seen on stag/hen do's, they are now complex beings with an insane amount of artificial intelligence and freakishly life-like personalities.

[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/BVQV5CbgeJK/?taken-by=abyssrealdoll]]

In light of this, say hello to Henry; a new male sex robot who may just be the perfect man to all those lonely ladies out there. Tall, dark and handsome - Henry comes with a six-pack and has an abundance of charm and charisma, with him being able to recite love poems and tell jokes.

But, of course, all the charm comes with a price. While the cost tends to be that men like Henry are complete jerks, Henry's is an actual monetary price ($15,000 to be precise).

[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/Bgl6y2rF5vR/?taken-by=abyssrealdoll]]

However, that $15,000 includes the ability to welcome you home from a hard day at work, chat with you about your favorite TV show and seduce you with a love poem or song. Despite his Action Man physique, Henry weighs in at 38kg, meaning that you can take full control of him and chuck him around the bedroom as you best please.

But, while all of this may sound fabulous, Henry has another appealing feature (no, it's not his bionic penis). In a new video, Henry shows off his absolutely killer sense of humor.

In the new clip, which was unveiled by makers Realbotix, Henry says in a flat, robotic voice (sexy), "What does a cloud with an itchy rash do? Find the nearest skyscraper."

[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/BgWeCOjlnMd/?taken-by=abyssrealdoll]]

Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha.

Despite the awful jokes and creepy voice, Realbotix hope that people will buy Henry "for companionship."

Matt McMullen, 48, explained: "Women have the same issues of loneliness as men.

"People call them sex dolls but mostly it’s about companionship."

In terms of his sexual performance, Henry's creators claim that doll can be plugged into the mains in order to "go as long as you want." I mean, what else screams sexy like an Amazon Alexa that has been stuffed up a mannequin and had a dildo attached to it?

[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/BgouzAAlg5G/?taken-by=abyssrealdoll]]

I mean, guys, seriously. While I understand that the world of dating is a complex and difficult place at the best of times, can we not start having sex with robots... look at what they look like underneath that silicone skin!

There are times when it seems as if technology has gone too far. From adorable robotic dogs that help keep our homes tidy to the all-knowing, all-seeing Siri, sometimes it really does feel like we're living in a Black Mirror episode. One sector, however, that has always been excited by the prospect of technological advancement is the sex industry. Thanks to the internet we're able to consume porn pretty much whenever we want, and given that Pornhub reportedly averaged 81 million visitors a day throughout 2017, it certainly seems as if we're getting our fill. But the industry is always looking for ways to make getting off more accessible. In fact, it appears they want to make it so accessible that you don't even need another human being, period. A sex doll maker from China is hoping to create the first ever "smart doll", which can talk, play music and do the washing up, all alongside tending to your "needs". Exdoll in Dalian China makes around 400 custom-built sex robots each month. And as you could expect, the most popular doll is the basic model, which sets you back around  $400 (£280). However, if you've got some spare cash lying around, you may want to upgrade to its newest "smart" model, Xiaodie, which is on sale for an eye-watering $4,000 (£2,800). The sex doll is fitted with technology similar to Apple's Siri and Amazon's Alexa, which means it can speak, use the internet and help you out around the house. You can even hook it up to smart-appliances, such as your dishwasher and television. Exdoll have got the standard smart-doll designed, and they are apparently set to hit the market next year. Within the year, however, the dolls will be able to mimic facial expressions, recognise their owner's voice and rather creepily, be able to follow people around the room with their eyes. Remind you any horror films? However, Exdoll was quick to stress that their "smart" sex-bots could also be repurposed for something decidedly less risqué: "medical assistants" and "receptionists". Wu Xingliant, the company's marketing director spoke to AFP, saying "China has a shortage of women, and this is a factor in why there's this demand, but they're not just for sex." "We're designing them so they can have meaningful conversations with you and help with chores around the house," he continued. The doll can be synced to an app on your smartphone, or you can give it verbal commands. And in regards to how Exdoll sees the dolls developing, the chief development officer has said that he hopes to imbue the bots with Artificial Intelligence, to create the "most beautiful and most human-like robot possible". But for those who are more concerned with the er, sexier aspects of their "smart" doll, don't fret, Exdoll is spending plenty of energy ensuring that the bots look the absolute best they can. As they're wholly customisable, everything from the height, bra size, eye colour and even the amount of pubic hair is down to the customer. Need I remind you that it's Valentine's day in two weeks?

We now live in a world where "sexting" is a common occurrence. Whether you have a partner, you're dating, or you're all alone, sad and bored in your bedroom and eating copious amount of pizza, the likelihood is that you've "sexted" someone at some point in your life. For those of you who are unaware what sexting is, it's like having sex, but via text (AKA the most millennial thing of all time). According to a study by online security company McAfee, 50 per cent of Americans admit to regularly sexting, which is a hell of a lot of people. However, not everyone is into it, and even if they are, not everyone wants to sext all of the time. This was the case for one user of Reddit, who decided to play a pushy "sexter" at his own game. Reddit user TheOwlAndTheFinch appeared on the Creepy PMs forum to share her experience in shutting down a pushy male in the most hilariously savage way. Titling the post as: "He's been begging for weeks to do a 'sexy roleplay' with me. I finally said yes. I think he regrets everything now", The user puts a series of screenshots showing their conversation - and her way of trolling the creep is simply genius. Right, I don't know if it's just me, but it's pretty clear from the get-go that this guy is an absolute creep. I mean, just look at that opening line: "*looking youu deep into the eyes* lets do this." Urmm no, lets not do this. Unsurprisingly, the Redditor is already playing this guy at his own game, with sarcastic clap backs foreboding what is to come. Don't worry readers, it gets a whole lot better. I mean, how did this guy not realising he was being trolled when she said there's two kitchens in the house? Also, how much setting the scene does this guy do? Maybe I've been doing it wrong my entire life, but I didn't think sexting involved writing a novel together before getting to the juicy bit? Understandably, the sexter in question doesn't take kindly to being trolled and seems to get pretty wound up. The best bit about this is that in his sexual fantasy, as in, in his wildest dreams, they are getting down and dirty in a condo in Portland. Romantic, right? While most of us would maybe conjure up images of a swanky hotel in the Bahamas, with velvet bedding etc, this guy is just getting it on in a condo in Portland: a city which is more famous for bridges than anything else. Weirdly, another user claims to have spoken to the same guy; and in a bizarre twist, their sexting also focused around the city of Portland as well. So there you have it guys and gals, next time you want to get rid of a pushy sexter, just take them down to everyone's favourite Swedish department store via text, that should shut them up.