File photo: Catalan nanotechnology engineer Sergi Santos holds the head of Samantha, a sex doll packed with artificial intelligence providing her the capability to respond to different scenarios and verbal stimulus, in his house in Rubi, north of Barcelona, Spain, March 31, 2017. Picture taken March 31, 2017. (REUTERS/Albert Gea)
A sex robot with a "family mode" that dials down her dirty talk has been blasted as "profoundly damaging" for kids by academics.
The controversial droid named Samantha went on sale in the UK last September and made its TV debut that same month.
Samantha's "personality" is powered by an artificial intelligence system that allows her to react to the touch and voice of users and even turn down their advances if she isn't treated well.
Sex robot enthusiast Aarran Lee Wright, 36, appeared on ITV's This Morning with his Samantha doll shortly after they went on sale and caused alarm by suggesting he lets his kids play with it.
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