What makes a product “acceptable” in the world of technology? The ose vibrator faced rejection at CES, and this exposed hidden biases within the tech industry. Many saw this decision as a sign that innovation for sexual wellness, especially for women, did not receive equal respect. This moment forced people to question how technology treats sextech and gender representation.
Key Takeaways
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The Ose vibrator uses advanced robotics and personalised design to improve sexual wellness, offering unique dual stimulation.
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CES initially awarded the Ose vibrator but revoked the prize due to unclear rules, revealing bias against sextech and women's health products.
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Public outcry and media attention led CES to apologise and change policies, allowing sextech products in the health and wellness category.
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The incident sparked wider discussions about gender bias and inclusivity in the tech industry, encouraging more support for diverse innovation.
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CES policy changes and ongoing debates show progress toward fairer treatment of sextech and greater representation of women in technology.
Ose Vibrator Innovation
Design and Technology
The ose vibrator stands out in the world of sextech because of its advanced design. Unlike many traditional devices, it does not rely only on vibration. Instead, it uses a unique mechanical motion. An internal ball moves up and down, creating a 'come hither' action. This movement can be adjusted for speed and stroke length. The shaft bends to fit different pelvic angles, so each person can find a comfortable position.
The device also offers dual stimulation. It targets both the G-spot and the clitoris at the same time. The clitoral stimulator uses a motor that flutters air in and out. This creates a gentle suction-like feeling. These features show how the ose vibrator uses robotics and personalised mechanics to improve user experience.
The ose vibrator first won a CES innovation award in the drones and robotics category. This recognition highlighted its advanced mechanical design and robotics.
Significance in Sextech
The ose vibrator changed how people view sextech. It showed that products for sexual wellness can use cutting-edge technology. Many people saw its success as a sign that the industry could move beyond simple designs. The product sold around 10,000 units during its presale, showing strong demand.
The controversy at CES also brought attention to industry biases. After the initial award was revoked, organisers later reinstated it. CES then updated its policies, allowing sextech products in the health and wellness section if they use new or emerging technology. This shift opened doors for more innovation in the field.
The ose vibrator set a new standard for what sextech can achieve. It proved that robotics and personalisation can play a big role in sexual wellness. This has encouraged other companies to invest in better designs and technology.
CES Controversy
Award and Revocation
The journey of the ose vibrator at CES 2019 followed a dramatic sequence. The timeline below shows the key events:
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Late 2018: Lora Haddock developed the Osé prototype using robotics expertise and applied to exhibit at CES 2019, submitting Osé for an innovation award.
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Early 2019: Osé received acceptance and won an innovation award in the Robotics and Drone category at CES.
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About one month later: The Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which organises CES, revoked the award and exhibition rights. The CTA described Osé as "immoral, obscene, indecent, profane or not in keeping with CTA's image."
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Lora Haddock responded with an open letter. She accused CES of gender bias and blocking innovation.
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The decision to revoke the award gained attention from major media outlets, including BBC News and The New York Times.
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May 2019: The CTA reversed its decision and officially gave back the innovation award to Osé.
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July 2019: The CTA announced a trial period for sextech companies to exhibit at CES 2020, showing a change in policy.
This timeline highlights how the ose vibrator became a symbol for both innovation and controversy at one of the world’s largest technology shows.
Organisers’ Reasons
The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) explained that the Osé personal massager "should not have been accepted for the Innovation Awards Program" because it "does not fit into any of our existing product categories." The CTA also stated that entries "deemed by CTA in their sole discretion to be immoral, obscene, indecent, profane or not in keeping with CTA’s image will be disqualified." The organisers did not provide any precise criteria or statistical benchmarks for this decision. The CTA later apologised for the mistake but did not clarify why the product was disqualified or why it could not be shown at CES. Lora Haddock, the company founder, disagreed with the reasoning. She pointed out that the product fits the Robotics and Drone category and uses advanced engineering with several pending patents.
Many people saw the lack of clear guidelines as a sign of deeper issues in how the tech industry treats sextech and innovation for women.
Public and Industry Response
Accusations of Bias
Many people in the tech world saw the CES decision as unfair. They pointed out that CES had allowed other sex-related products in the past, especially those aimed at men. This led to claims of sexism and double standards. Some industry leaders said that the ban showed a lack of respect for women’s health and innovation. They argued that the tech industry often ignores products made for women or about female sexuality.
Wired’s Emily Dreyfuss explained that the backlash was not just about one product. She said it showed bigger problems in technology and venture capital. Many people felt that the industry did not treat female sexuality as a serious topic. This made some companies worry about investing in similar products.
A few tech companies and advocacy groups spoke out. They asked CES to change its rules and treat all health technology fairly. Some called for more women in decision-making roles at tech events.
Media and Social Media
The media covered the story widely. News outlets like BBC and The New York Times reported on the controversy. They shared opinions from both sides. Some articles focused on the need for more open discussions about sexual wellness in technology.
Social media users joined the debate. Many used hashtags to show support for women’s health technology. Some people shared their own stories about bias in the tech industry. Others posted messages calling for change at CES and other tech events.
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Journalists and bloggers wrote opinion pieces.
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Influencers highlighted the issue on platforms like Twitter and Instagram.
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Tech forums hosted discussions about fairness and innovation.
The public response showed that many people wanted the tech industry to become more inclusive. The debate helped raise awareness about the challenges faced by companies making products for women.
Impact and Change
CES Policy Updates
The organisers of CES faced strong criticism after the incident with the ose vibrator. They issued a public apology to the company and its founder. The apology recognised that the decision to revoke the award was a mistake. CES then reviewed its policies for future events.
The organisers introduced new guidelines for the exhibition. They allowed sextech companies to apply for space in the health and wellness section. These changes aimed to create a fairer environment for all innovators. The new rules also encouraged companies to develop products that use advanced technology for sexual health.
CES now welcomes sextech products that show innovation and meet health and wellness standards. This shift marks a step towards greater inclusivity at technology events.
The return of sextech to CES signalled a change in attitude. More companies felt confident to showcase their products. The organisers also promised to keep reviewing their policies to support diversity and innovation.
Broader Tech Industry Effects
The ose vibrator controversy sparked conversations across the technology sector. Many people began to question how the industry treats products for women and sexual wellness. Some companies started to review their own policies and event guidelines.
Researchers and critics have pointed out that technology often reflects cultural norms and power structures. Feminist technoscience studies show that gender, race, and class can influence how products are designed and accepted. These studies highlight the need for more inclusive thinking in technology.
Although there are no large-scale studies or industry statistics that show a complete shift, the debate continues. Experts use cultural and experimental research to discuss gender inclusivity in technology. These discussions help shape the way companies think about new products.
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Companies now consider gender and inclusivity when designing technology.
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Some investors show more interest in sextech and women’s health products.
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Media coverage of the ose vibrator case encourages open conversations about bias.
The tech industry still faces challenges, but the ose vibrator incident has inspired ongoing change. Many people now see the value of supporting diverse innovation.
The incident at CES marked a turning point for technology and inclusivity. Many saw real changes, such as new event policies and more open discussions about gender in tech. Some challenges remain, as true equality still needs effort from all sides. Readers can help by questioning old ideas and supporting new voices in technology. The future of sextech and representation in tech looks brighter as more people value diverse innovation.
FAQ
What is the Ose vibrator?
The Ose vibrator is a robotic personal massager. It uses advanced technology to provide dual stimulation. The device targets both the G-spot and clitoris. Many people see it as a breakthrough in sextech.
Why did CES revoke the Ose vibrator’s award?
CES organisers said the Ose vibrator did not fit their product categories. They also called it “immoral” and “obscene.” Many people believed this decision showed bias against women’s health technology.
How did the Ose vibrator incident change CES policies?
CES updated its rules after the controversy. Sextech companies can now apply to exhibit in the health and wellness section. This change encourages more innovation and inclusivity at the event.
Did the Ose vibrator influence the tech industry?
Yes, the Ose vibrator sparked wider discussions about gender and innovation. Many companies now review their own policies. Some investors show more interest in sextech and women’s health products.
Why does inclusivity in tech events matter?
Inclusivity helps new ideas grow. When events welcome diverse products, more people feel represented. This leads to better technology for everyone.
Tip: Supporting inclusive events helps drive progress in technology.
