Amorelie contributed to normalise the narrative around sex toys by focusing on sleek design products. This niche of industrial design is still being explored, with many opportunities for innovation. This is a record of my contribution.
Sexual intimacy tool
I was fascinated by developing objects that could be used to create intimacy without being explicitly sexual. At the time of developing this project, there were already a few products on the market that integrated vibration into a massage device.
One of these was the Hello Touch, manufactured by Jimmyjane. Unfortunately, this device didn’t seem to deliver what it promised. It was bothersome to wear and looked too technical for its intended purpose.
With the exception of Wand neck massagers, (which are notorious for being external vibrators in disguise) I couldn’t think of any other vibrating massage device.
I felt this was an opportunity to explore a new direction.
Deep Tissue Massage
I began researching tools and techniques currently used in bodywork and massage. Of these, elbow pressure was of particular interest, as it allows intense pressure to be applied when massaging more fibrous tissues to release muscle tension.
I envisioned a wearable massage device that would allow the user to apply elbow-like pressure while massaging with their hands.
To do this, I would have had to virtually “move” the elbow under the palm of the hand, so that the same kind of pressure could be applied by pushing the hand itself into the body.
Development
I used CNC rapid prototyping techniques to test different ways of wearing the device. The first prototype (the one in light blue in the image below) spun on the skin when pressed against the body. After a number of iterations, I eventually moved from an elastic band to a “clip” solution.
Anthropometrics
Once I had narrowed down the shape, I researched if we needed to manufacture the device in different sizes.
Fortunately, due to the position where the device clips onto the hands, there isn’t much difference between a small and large hand size, and I was able to define the size of the device as a one-size-fits-all solution.
Finally, the dimensions of the massager were defined according to the percentile average hand width (A) and circumference (B) of the European population.
The shape went through a series of refinements until both the ergonomic and aesthetic requirements were met.
Each iteration of the shape was 3D modelled, printed on a CNC machine and tested.
Engineering
Once I had found the optimum dimensions, I had to adjust the shape to fit all the components inside. These are standardised parts, so it is possible to opt for a stronger motor/vibration or a longer battery/runtime by choosing larger or smaller components.
The manufacturer provided a design for a mechanical solution together with a quote for production and unit costs. With this information, the viability of the toy within the brand and for the target customer group could be determined.
Vibration Patterns
The PCBA is programmed to vibrate at a certain rhythm and intensity. Many sex toys have up to 10 vibration patterns, although users generally prefer a constant vibration. That is why I chose the three intensity levels and only one variable pattern for more creative use.
User Testing
Once I had a working prototype, I was able to test it properly and make further refinements.
