LAS VEGAS — After infamously rescinding Consumer Electronics Show’s robotics and drones Innovation Award, the organizers have given the honor back to sextech company Lora DiCarlo.
Lora DiCarlo’s Osé Robotic Massager was to be one of a handful of honorees at CES in January, but was disqualified last minute by the award’s organizer, the Consumer Technology Association. Citing its rule that bans products that are “immoral, obscene, indecent, profane or not in keeping with CTA’s image,” the organization’s gender bias was quickly blasted in multiple media reports around the world. While the Osé was ousted from the show, in a blog post Lora DiCarlo founder Lora Haddock pointed out that “a literal sex doll for men launched on the floor at CES in 2018 and a VR porn company exhibits there every year, allowing men to watch pornography in public as consumers walk by.”
Now, however, the CTA is admitting that it “did not handle this award properly,” said Jean Foster, the organization's marketing executive. "This prompted some important conversations internally and with external advisers, and we look forward to taking these learnings to continue to improve the show."
The BBC reports that Haddock appreciates the “gesture” that will serve to "remove the stigma and embarrassment around female sexuality."
"The incredible support and attention we've received in the wake of our experience highlights the need for meaningful changes, and we are hopeful that our small company can continue to contribute meaningful progress toward making CES inclusive for all," she added.
Using advanced micro-robotics Osé is said to mimic the sensations of a human mouth, tongue, and fingers.
At SXSW 2019 Lora DiCarlo announced that the state of Oregon had awarded a $99,637 Business Oregon Enhanced Phase 0 Grant for the commercialization of Osé. According to the company, it’s the first time that any state government has recognized sextech in such a way.
