May 15, 2019
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CES RETURNS robotics award to women's sex toy startup after banning firm's smart vibrator
A women's sex toy startup has been re-awarded the robotics prize from organizers of the annual CES gadget show after they revoked it, claiming the firm had violated its rules.
An independent panel of judges had selected startup Lora DiCarlo's Ose vibrator last fall for a CES 2019 Innovation Honoree Award in the robotics and drone category. But the Consumer Technology Association disqualified the gadget, telling the company it reserved the right to rescind awards for devices deemed 'immoral, obscene, indecent, profane or not in keeping with CTA's image.'
Lora DiCarlo criticized the decision, calling it sexist and penning a letter addressing the CTA's decision.
The firm wrote in the letter: 'Lora DiCarlo joined a small percentage of other products that were awarded such a coveted honor each year; this feather in our collective cap made years of research and engineering even more worthwhile and further validated our vision for creating innovative, inclusive products that change lives. My team rejoiced and celebrated. A month later our excitement and preparations were cut short when we were unexpectedly informed that the administrators at CES and CTA were rescinding our award and subsequently that we would not be allowed to showcase Osé, or even exhibit at CES 2019.'
The company pointed out that a sex doll for men was launched at CES in 2018, while an exhibitor has showed off VR porn at the event several times, 'allowing men to watch pornography in public as consumers walk by.'
'Other sex toys have exhibited at CES and some have even won awards, but apparently there is something different, something threatening about Osé, a product created by women to empower women,' the firm added.
The move also elicited criticism online, where Twitter users blasted the organizers for being 'sexist' and 'biased.'
CTA re-awarded the prize to Lora DiCarlo four months after the fact. Jean Foster, CTA's senior vice president of marketing and communications, said in a statement: 'CTA did not handle this award properly. This prompted some important conversations internally and with external advisors and we look forward to taking these learnings to continue to improve the show.'
Lora DiCarlo CEO Lara Haddock said the experience shows the need for 'meaningful changes' at CES: 'I am thankful that the CTA has reconsidered our eligibility for this award and validated the innovation our engineering team is responsible for. 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.'
CES has faced claims of persistent sexism at its shows for several years, with critics pointing to the use of 'booth babes' by exhibitors, instead of featuring female-run startups or having female keynote speakers.
This year, IBM CEO Ginni Rometty delivered the keynote address at the annual show, held in Las Vegas in January.
Extracted from: www.dailymail.co.uk
