What Americans think about the Consumer Electronics Show

Jamie BallardData Journalist
January 09, 2020, 5:00 PM GMT+0

Almost three in 10 (28%) US adults say that if a piece of technology wins an award at the Consumer Electronics Show, they are more likely to purchase it.

The Consumer Electronics Show is an annual trade show which generally hosts presentations of new products and technologies in the consumer electronics industry, and honors innovative ideas.

All this week, YouGov has been asking Americans what they think about various aspects of CES, from the prestigious awards to the futuristic projects to the continuing controversy over sex toys.

Will consumers open their wallets after the Best of CES Awards?

Most Americans won’t be attending this year’s CES in Las Vegas, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t paying attention to what happens at the show. In fact, the Best of CES Awards might influence their future purchasing decisions.

About one in 10 (11%) US adults say they’re much more likely to purchase an item that wins an award at CES. Another 17 percent say they’re somewhat more likely to buy a CES award-winning item.



There are certain consumers who are especially likely to be influenced by the Best of CES Awards. More than one-third (36%) of American men are more likely to purchase an item that wins an award at CES. Americans between 25 and 34 (43%) and 35 and 44 (42%) are also particularly inclined to say they're more likely to purchase something that wins an award at CES.

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Will Americans feel safe in a flying taxi?

As soon as 2023, people hailing a ride-share could find themselves taking to the friendly skies. At least one automaker at CES shared plans to partner with a rideshare service to offer flying taxi services in the not-too-distant future.

Many Americans say they would feel safe taking a flying taxi. About four in 10 (39%) say they would feel completely (13%) or mostly (26%) safe taking a flying taxi if the technology were widely available.

For many, it’s still a relatively foreign idea: 28 percent say they don’t know how safe or unsafe they would feel in a flying taxi.

Should sex toys be considered a tech product?

In 2019, there was some controversy at CES, after sex toy company Lora DiCarlo had its Innovation Award revoked and was prohibited from exhibiting at the show. Organizers cited rules saying products that are “immoral, obscene, indecent, profane or not in keeping with CTA’s image will be disqualified.” They also said the product didn’t belong in the robotics and drones category.

However, organizers later made the decision to reinstate the award, and allow the company to exhibit at the 2020 CES.

But do Americans think this was the right call?

Only one in five (20%) definitively say they believe sex toys should be considered a tech product. More than one-third (36%) say such items shouldn’t be considered tech products, while a plurality (44%) are unsure.

Men (26%) are almost twice as likely as women (14%) to say sex toys should be considered a tech product.

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Image: Getty

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