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Lora DiCarlo's Osé sex tech device is back, plus two new toys to mimic human touch

Lora DiCarlo's first product, a microrobotic sex tech device, makes its public debut at CES after 2019 controversy.

Sarah Mitroff Managing Editor
Sarah Mitroff is a Managing Editor for CNET, overseeing our health, fitness and wellness section. Throughout her career, she's written about mobile tech, consumer tech, business and startups for Wired, MacWorld, PCWorld, and VentureBeat.
Expertise Tech, Health, Lifestyle
Caitlin Petrakovitz Director of audience
Caitlin Petrakovitz studies the Marvel Cinematic Universe like it's a course in school, with an emphasis on the Infinity Saga years. As an audience expert, she rarely writes but when she does it's most certainly about Star Trek, Marvel, DC, Westworld, San Diego Comic-Con and great streaming properties. Or soccer, that's a thing she loves, too.
Sarah Mitroff
Caitlin Petrakovitz
3 min read
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Lora DiCarlo/Illustration by CNET

The Osé, sex tech startup Lora DiCarlo's first device, is on display in Las Vegas this week for CES 2020. The first public unveiling happened at Sunday night's CES Unveiled preshow. Lora DiCarlo also unveiled two new products at the show: the Baci, a "microrobotic pleasure device that simulates the feel and motion of the human lips and tongue," and the Onda, a device designed to replicate the motion of human fingers. Both got CES Honoree Innovation Awards this year.

Sex tech is making its debut on the show floor this year, after some controversy last year involving the Osé prototype. Below is the original product announcement, and stay tuned for more info about sex tech at CES this year.

The Osé uses advanced microrobotics to produce a blended orgasm using movements that are supposed to provide an experience closer to being with a human partner. The device incorporates five pending patents for robotics, biomimicry and engineering feats in an effort to make it more advanced than other sexual health devices.

The company may be best known for earning a CES Innovation award this year, then having that award revoked by the Consumer Technology Association, before receiving it again in May. With all of that behind it, Lora DiCarlo is ready to bring Osé to market. It's on sale now for $290, available to the general public since Dec. 2 for $320. The company says it will begin shipping Osé internationally within four to six weeks.

Sex tech has become more visible in recent years. For example, sexual health devices were showcased at IFA in September, and following the awards controversy at CES 2019, the CTA will formally include sexual wellness devices at CES 2020 (although sex tech devices have already been at the show for years).

The main goal of Osé, according to Lora DiCarlo, is to help users "achieve a full-bodied climax through the biomimetic stimulation" of both the clitoris and G-spot with a customizable silicone shape. 

Osé bends at its neck above the base, which allows for the insertable portion of the device to be used at any angle. The base remains on the outside of the body, and makes use of internal microrobotics to mimic human movements rather than using vibrations. Its design is meant to provide an experience closer to being with a human partner than other devices.

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Lora DiCarlo

In an October interview with CNET, company founder and CEO Lora Haddock stressed this launch is about more than just the product. "Our brand (is) about talking about sexual health and wellness. It's about talking about gender equity. It's given us a lot of opportunity to be in spaces and talk about issues that are not just the product," Haddock said.

Lora DiCarlo's device was designed to look like a sleek gadget you can display as it wirelessly charges, rather than a stereotypical sex toy you have to hide away -- and the company knows the design is unusual. The first thing it had to show beta testers was how to move and manipulate the device. Because the Osé "can be fully customized to your anatomy" and experimented with, the company wanted to educate people on what that can mean for their bodies and how to approach a device that doesn't look like others. "And (we realized) that's going to be an educational point," Haddock said.

Watch this: Sex tech continues to impress at CES

Part of the customization (and education) efforts stem from the company's commitment to championing women's sexual health, something DiCarlo feels is a topic still seen as taboo or vulgar. For example, its website offers comprehensive guides on sexual health and anatomy as a free resource.

After the Consumer Technology Association reversed the award's revocation in May, Lora DiCarlo heralded it as "an important step in the right direction to remove the stigma and embarrassment around female sexuality." 

Jean Foster, head of marketing and communications for the CTA, acknowledged the group didn't handle the situation well, and in July the group's response to that criticism included opening up the CES 2020 show floor to sexual health and wellness products

Specs

  • Made from body-safe silicone and ABS plastic
  • Waterproof design
  • Rechargeable battery: 45-60 minutes of use
  • Size: 8 inches by 2.9 inches by 4 inches
  • Weight: 10.6 oz.

Originally published Nov. 26, 2019. 

CES 2020: All the sex tech on display

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The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.