The world of technology for pleasure. This is the realm where evolutions in artificial intelligence (AI), automation and the Internet of Things (IoT) are changing the way people approach love and sex. Shunned by its more ‘legitimate’ counterparts in fintech, healthtech and agritech, sextech has been under the covers, creating inventive sexual solutions using the latest in intelligent technology. These solutions are managing to somehow bypass the squeamish conservatism that often accompanies conversations about sex because of their innovative approaches to shared experiences. Solutions that are moving away from the traditional domain of men and recognising the value in creating technology that applies to both genders and breaking more than one boundary when it comes to use case and capability. This is not the seedy underbelly of sex and tech, it’s the new frontier of human connection that uses intelligent technology to redefine pleasure and that is somehow swiping away the stigma usually associated with sex and toys.

Says Megwyn White, sexologist and director of education of Satisfyer: “These devices are able to bridge the three-dimensional gap, using solutions such as teledildonics – the use of technology and connected devices across distances – to connect with partners. These solutions can be hugely beneficial in relationships. There has also been a shift towards women; in the past, these toys were mostly male-driven, but now they’re taking women into the equation.”