A former University of Liverpool student is now working as a sex-technology researcher helping couples 'connect' in lockdown.
Eleanor Hancock, who studied English and communications at university, is pursuing a career in so-called "sex-tech" - which she says can have "positive effects on relationship wellbeing".
She says people in Liverpool are increasingly using the kinds of technology she researches to enhance their relationships.
Eleanor, 26, who has an office based in the Baltic Triangle, says she feels her work is more important now than ever, due to coronavirus lockdowns and restrictions forcing couples to have long-distance relationships.
She told the ECHO: “We did a lot about the future and technology ethics in university and how the internet has changed society.
"I got the idea to do an essay on the future of intimacy and relationships alongside technology and a part of that was looking at virtual girlfriends.
"I decided to do a Masters in research and I focused it on sex technology and also interviewed adult [industry] workers and people at escort agencies.”
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The 2018 graduate, who has since gone on to create her own website and currently works freelance for sex technology company KIIRRO, said sex-tech has become more popular due to the restrictions that have been in place this year.
She said the topic of sex-tech can be somewhat 'taboo' in modern society, but Eleanor believes there are many benefits.
Eleanor added: “There were long periods where you couldn't see each other this year.
"I guess for that reason there were a lot of new people using it and experimenting.
"There was certainly an increase during the lockdown. Especially from people that had to self-isolate or quarantine.
"You get a lot of younger couples that live at home with their mum and dad separately."
Eleanor said sex-tech equipment involves a phone, an app and a sex toy device which can then be connected to via bluetooth and controlled by a partner.
She added: "So you have a phone, an app and a sex toy device and you don’t even have to be in the same room or house.
"It all works by using haptic feedback and this is essentially the technological term for transferring human movement through technology.
“It is quite common for people to be in long distance relationships. So it’s very much something someone should invest in if you’re going to be away for say six months. It’s a no brainer.
“It also helps with communication and openness. It can be a common thing that couples aren’t able to communicate with each other properly. I do think introducing sex toys or sex-tech really helps.”
Eleanor believes now is the time for society to be more open and honest about sex-tech and sex education in general.
She said: “It’s better to be open about sex, and if we don’t talk about it, the younger generation are just going to learn from pornography.
"I think for a long time sex education was skewed and I don’t think women were ever taught properly.
"It definitely wasn’t normalised years ago, with a lot more of the good work now coming from sex toy companies as they take a sex positive approach to things.”
Eleanor believes people in the city are as open minded as anyone when it comes to sex-tech and thinks Liverpool has a 'live and let live' mentality.
She said: “I think the people of Liverpool are open minded and I think usage will definitely increase for both men and women.
"It’s important for people to have good sex. There’s a lot of people who don’t have good sex, and why not? It’s great."
