An oversizes unit with a silicone inner sleeve would alow for different diamaters and provide a good tactile response. If I had to come up with an attachment it would be to accomodate more length,not a hat so much as a scarf-so to speak.

Keep it simple. If it's perfect out of the box then there will be no need for further hacking. Seems to me that the more simple a sex toy is the more likely a guy is to use it.

hm... it will be interesting to see what the beta products look like!

I prefer the simple package... too many options make it like my gf who can't decide anything. A suction cap option might be a nice option though...
Eager2Day

I think that you should just keep it nice and simple. At first thought it seems like a good idea to have changeability to it and having the ability to try different things with it, but I would prefer to just have a good feeling and hands free masturbation device that really works well. At least, get the basic model out and if you get a big request for more options you could add them later.

i think the very people who would sign up to help build and beta test a product, are the very people who would want to tinker with a product, so take our advice with a word of caution. the few multi function percussion massagers on the market seem to have figured out how to "customize" the vibes while not going overboard.

simple is better; if i get bored with it than i could move up to a more advanced model

Just keep it as simple as possible to begin with and then go from there> dont over complicate it> it should be both fun and easy to use!

the best "hack" option i can think of, if not on beta, or even V1, would be an interface port (USB to chime in with above), that would allow a basic manual (hah) wired remote control of some kind. essentially override any onboard controls, speed, range, whatever.

later, the usb port could be paired with an optional external interface (and powered with usb bus). one could hack the thing to respond to music, or programmed sine sweeps, or ... whatever. the stock market! (stocks are going up up up!)

it wouldn't be too bad either if the remote-tether cord could also supply power to the thing, then batteries/etc wouldn't be required, more room inside to hack.

can't wait to see some mechanical goodness!

D

Skins? Well, only if I was planning on showing it off to my friends. As long as it's serving up milkshakes then I don't care what color it is;)

As far as hackability is concerned I think you answered your own question by stating, "in an effort to allow for extra features you end up burdening the core design and making the "base model" less elegant."

I would like to add the hackable audience is likely going to be a small portion of your consumer base. Consumers buy products to "kick ass" right away, and if they don't they return them. I might hot rod something after the warranty expires, but I'm not taking a new product apart.
Lastly, someone mentioned USB capability and while that sounds interesting, it raises an issue with cleaning. I don't want to ruin an expensive toy because water got into the product through a USB port from running it under a faucet for a mandatory cleaning. Make it airtight.

All I care about is that 1) it works well, 2) It cleans easily, and 3) It lasts.

I think this is being "over-thought". There will always be the possibility of a second version, where more options and hackability can be added.
For now, why not work on making this model the best it can possibly be. Don't come right out of the box with too many features. Make people fall in love with the base product first, and use the feedback you get to add new features, if they will even be necessary.
I did like the idea that someone had posted about usb charging though. Making it rechargeable would get rid of the need for spare batteries laying around, and would probably be one of the best features I could think of.

i vote dont design it to be hackable...
it will be hacked wither way, work on getting the design good
on the other hand, dont put all kinds of security stuff on it to prevent hacking.
contrary to most beliefs, hacking is a wonderful thing for nearly any product, since hackers want to improve the product.
(keep in mind i'm talking about hackers here, and not "crackers" that do bad things.)

I have pulled apart a few sex toys if they aren't up to what I expected when I took it out of the box or if they start to break down and need fixed. If it works great when I take it out of the box and continues to satisfy then I wouldn't hack it. On the the other hand allowing other minds to fiddle around might come up with some great idea that hasn't been thought of. I think versatility is needed to keep me happy. What I want most is something that feels like a good hand job without the use of my hand. Please note that I think a good hand job is one without lubricants or with a dry lubricant such as talcum powder. Keep up the good work!!

Rubbot forums post-release in order for basic info to be traded, and small amt of support from company can go a long way.

"What is this I.C. do?" "is solder #q4b go to the resistor to regulate voltage?" "what are the RPMs on the motor?" Simple questions like these being answered ([b]when they are presented[/b]) could create a user-derived database of easy info for the techie-minded and very little effort on rubbot's part.

I saw work out of the box and then latter on in the road introduce one you could hack. Like others have said it's better to just get the word out right now that you have a good product and soon you'll have an even better product.

I don't think skinnable is really that big of a deal, although if it really is something that people want, I'm sure some third party would come up with it (depending on how popular rubbot gets) or people would figure out a template to print their own from home.

I like the idea of replaceable 'modules', sounds interesting, although I think I saw it mentioned above somewhere, the ability for the movements to be randomized I think is an important feature.

Keep the original model simple and ready to go out of the box, then introduce a more advanced model later on!
- HVS

Watch yourself on the "Hackable" thing. This completely bit Je Joue in the ass, which is why the Sasi is almost a downgrade of what they had before. From what I've heard, the programming interface scared people off.

While hackable is cool, it probably won't be a "feature" to your main audience, unless you plan on your main audience being quite small. But, as long as it's not a required feature (which I think is where Je Joue went wrong with PleasureWare), it's certainly a value-add.

But for the love of /god/, don't waste preproduction time on it. That's the equivalent to the sin of preoptimization. There's always room for a v2, and there's always those that will find a way to hack it no matter what (or you can always go the simplest route: expose pads on the control board).

- qDot
http://www.slashdong.org

Maybe the first model should be kept simple to get the name and the product out there on the market and then bring out a new, more customizable version once you start getting feedback from users.

I'd go for a small range of really well designed options out of the box rather then a design for hackability. Maybe let 2.0 go for hackable. Let the core design be elegant and simple.

For me it depends on the "hacks" possible. Easily done is creating an access port (like srereo jack) trough wich it can be run from a pc (wave file, special format).
Though it would be fun to be able to change all components, i would hate to crawl around searcing for my favorite part couse it has somehow "rubbed loose".
A core design with a basic functionality and some changeable parts like battery/computer interface or for instance changable Squish/Compression would be nice i think.
Further a way to keep it on (keep worrying bout that).

A question for the team, Is it possible to see some pictures of the work in progress? tease us!!!

I am the guy who rips open his new gadgets to try and make them work better, but thats only if they are not working up to the standard I think they should. I think if you make it with the option to have different inserts you will please most people.

I'd like it to be like a tippman m98 paintball gun... very versatile and easily upgraded but well thought out as well (see "response trigger"(dont get any ideas rubbot design team))jk. and most importantly...new ideas must be SUPPORTED. It frustrated me when the n64 never used that mysterious door it had under it(in the US) and it would frustrate me if there was a capability this thing had that hadn’t been done for example...online play... you might want to partner this thing up with some internet enabled dildos for a little super safe sex. or leave space for an aftermarket battery that lasts longer or possibly a higher voltage system or bigger motors... look at what radio shack did the xmod rc cars that were/are totally upgradeable and modable. They had motors and battery options, even gearing. Implementing the same ideas could make the rubbots stroke have a different feel or change the stroke length. as a last thought i think you're going to have to try to make it inconspicuous as possible... what does it look similar to anyway and what will it fit in are questions that come to mind... maybe have it look like the plastic on a video game controller. to have it blend in with the scenery a little better. I apologize for rambling.
Thanks