Oh yes, the future is bright!
There have been rumblings in the Willitorium, of developing a very high-end prosthetic that would mimic the natal male anatomy more closely than anything that’s ever been available. Imagine a bionic penis that serves four functions: pee, pack, pleasure and play – over two states: flaccid and erect.
This ambitious project aims to alleviate body dysphoria and offer a viable alternative to existing surgery options.
Having been in talks with several prototyping and engineering studios, I am happy to report that the findings have been very encouraging. The technologies that would be required for such a prosthetic essentially already exists but just haven’t been applied in this way before.
To date, trans men have always been the accidental beneficiaries of technological advancement created for natal men, who are anatomically quite different to transgender men. That’s about to change. This project is very much about utilising the anatomical differences to our advantage. How? Let me give you an example. A trans man (assuming he has had no lower surgery) has easy access to pelvic floor muscles, which a natal male does not. No one has ever developed anything that would utilise these muscles to actuate an erect state. This would require a controller no larger than a regular tampon and just as easy to insert, versus the highly invasive surgeries to place reservoirs into testes that must be operated by hand.
I am a firm believer in the sharing of ideas and knowledge, so I intend to be open and transparent about exactly how I envision the Bionic functioning – from concept to production – so that others can get excited, get behind me and help make this a reality.
Up until this point, all of Transthetics’ product developments have been funded by sales, but on this project, I will need the enthusiasm and help of others who believe in the importance of making the Bionic a very tangible reality.
So please give what you can and know that EVERY donation is hugely appreciated.
…and yes that does say WIN! Raise more than $1000 by spreading the word and you WIN any existing Transthetics product of your choice!*
*After you donate, you will be issued a unique URL to share in your social circle. Anyone who donates through your URL will count towards your total fundraising tally.
As the discussion on the semantics of gender and gender identity was off topic and becoming inappropriate and aggressive, I have deleted these comments. These kinds of discussions are more appropriate in a political/sociological arena rather than a scientific one, where distinctions between specific physicality is necessary and appropriate.
I am very excited for this being a trans male, I can’t afford the surgery this is a huge break thru! Keep up the great work!
Okay … I’ll try to find a way to donate if I can. This sound very interesting. Just one question:
Cut or uncut? I realize a lot of guys probably don’t care, hence why uncut versions of what you’ve already got are on your backburner. But to me, it’s fairly important.
Most likely it will actually end up being uncut in its flaccid state and then in erect state, the foreskin will roll back, exposing the glans.
I like that… Natal… It makes more sense.
You mention using kegels to obtain an erect state. Would there be an alternative for those that don’t want to/can’t have anything “inserted”? I always imagined something like a pump they use in phalloplasty but on a prostetic.
Yes, I imagine it could also be operated by a discreet remote controller for those that don’t have easy access to pelvic floor muscles, but then it’s reliant on you carrying the controller. Basically, the controller would just release a valve that would force liquid from one area into another.
[Hands you a Mic to drop]
-seconding this-
So its just a dildo with a controller that gets inserted??
No. You can get more detailed info here http://transthetics.com/the-bionic/ it’s a pee, pack, pleasure and play device that will use a controller to move between flaccid and erect states
Hello, not sure if my 2cents will help, but I am an engineer and I have been thinking about doing a project similar to this one but have not had the time to design it out. I have thought about placing a touch sensor along the side of the shaft or in the head and building a circuit the size of one in a USB drive that is equipped with a microcontroller/microprocessor that will process the rate of stroke speed and pressure to determine if the wearer is attempting to become erect. Example: If the wearer is engaging in self play or being stimulated by a partner when the stroking motion is consistent at a certain rate then the touch sensor (not sure if a resistive or capacitive one will work best) will then signal the microcontroller to turn on another circuit that tells fluid stored in the testicles to be pumped up to the shaft so it can become erect. This is just a theory I haven’t done the circuit analysis yet but if I can develop a circuit schematic I will send it your way. Best of luck. I will be one of your first customers.
This is great! Sounds like we may be thinking along similar lines with micro controllers, controlling fluid movement. I’m just thinking of different actuation (ie gentle Kegel muscle squeezes to tell the controller to kick in) If you are open to it, I’d love to send you a private email to run some stuff by you and get your thoughts and input :)
Yes, that will be fine.
I find the idea of stroking it to become hard a lot more appealing than kegel muscle squeezes fwiw. I’m sure I’m in good company here with the whole insertion thing being a serious aversion. Based on what Alex said in response to another message, that it would be uncut and then the head would be exposed when hard, stroking it to that state sounds right and perfect to me. Also one of the major issues with all stps on the market is they don’t FEEL like a flaccid penis, and that’s been really discouraging.
Just laying out some thoughts since the idea is to create something that is a plausible alternative to surgery.
Yes I absolutely agree! If that is a possibility, then it should most definitely be explored! :)
I agree with the strokes thing, obviously it depends what’s possible but that would feel most real to me, and inserting things *there* is just a no for me anyway. Hopefully it’s a realistic possibility :)
Fantastic idea!! Love the way you think
This is great, this is exactly what I’ve been looking for. It’s going to save lifes!
BUT. I don’t think it’s fair to write “coming soon” when you haven’t even started to produce it yet! Soon = a couple of months for most people, not years man!! :P but I admire your drive to develop this. /John
I agree. Hence I’ve removed it :)
Oh wow, I’m really looking forward to this project! As a trans man who has never cared for the idea of having bottom surgery, this would be an extremely wonderful thing to have. Out of curiosity, do you happen to have a ballpark idea of what the Bionic would cost when it’s released? (That way I can start saving early, haha.)
It’s really hard to say at this point, but safe to say, it won’t be cheap, though only a tiny fraction of the cost of lower surgery. I’m also hoping to be able to get insurance companies to cover the cost of such a device as a necessary medical prosthetic. In some countries, like Germany, this is already the case.
Hey Alex!
Wouldn’t it make more sense to connect the ejaculation reservoir to a Kegel trigger? That way the Bionic could ejaculate through contractions during orgasms…
I’m also no big fan of triggering the erection over an insertable remote. I like KBtheprofessor’s idea better for that purpose as it seems more natural.
Hypothetically, it definitely would. It’s just a case of what’s possible in the very limited space there is. I’m not entirely sure it’s possible to have one controller in the shaft, as well as the spongy erecile material, as well as a hollow shaft to allow urine to pass through, let along two. I suspect the idea of hiding a controller WITHIN the device, though it’s a very good idea, will be extremely challenging, hence my thinking of keeping the controller external to the prosthetic, either as a tampon insert or hand held device, but hearing these thoughts and inputs is really great! Keep them coming!
Maybe have the controller in the balls?
Will it be a heated device? Or at least easily able to be heated to allow our partners to have more realistic/pleasurable intercourse?
If you’re wearing it, it will be the same temperature as your body.
I’m looking forward to this! How will it attach/be worn?
There will be a few options and it will be up to the user to choose. The most non invasive will be to use it with adapted underwear much like the Bono, but we are also looking at magnetic attachment options which would still be minimally invasive ie essentially getting discreet magnetic piercings in specific locations that the prosthetic would then snap on to. This is based on the Cochlear Vistafix system. (Just google that and you’ll get a clearer idea.)
Oh wow that sounds so awesome! Much better than having to use an adhesive!
I’m so happy to see this in the works :) it’s about time! Oddly enough, I’ve been trying to build something just like this over the past year. And by build I mean I have plans but no money. I’m guessing a harness would be needed? If yes, a good idea is to make then skin colored. I haven’t seen those tbh. Also a good reference to look at is the company Orgasmatronics. They actually created a touch sensitive dildo under creative commons license. There are multiple ways of doing it, but one way is to have an open channel in the prosthetic to where, when touched, it changes the pressure inside, which feeds through to an airtight chamber (via tube), and a pressure sensor senses the change. That feeds to an arduino, which basically dictates that more pressure = more power to the vibrator. Of course there’s the issue with the tube but I think it’s possible to hide it within the prosthetic and harness if you find this is the route to go. Now I’ve seen another commenter say sensors along the shaft. If they mean force sensors, then that might be tricky. Force sensors, when encased in silicone do not work as well as they could. I believe it’s doable, just takes a lot more coding a’s they measure force in quintillions+ as a base. Not to mention packing would be difficult if it’s embedded in the silicone (over time make ruin or break it). So… my thought is that the sensors that need to be in contact with the prosthetic would sit in the balls or base, while everything else would sit in a airtight container. Basically like something that would attach to the harness with velcro, and in a way where it’s like a portion of the belt. Yknow what I mean? Along with that could be override switches lol to turn it off. I could certainly dig into my notebook for anything else if you’d like, but that’s all I recall for now :) like I said I really wanted to make this a reality myself, so if I can help in any way then I’ll consider that research a success. I certainly don’t have the means or connections to do it myself. I think you may be the perfect person to figure it out though :)
Thanks for the input! :) Re attachment, I want to incorporate the option of using the Cochlear vistafix system http://www.cochlear.com/wps/wcm/connect/us/for-professionals/products/vistafix/products to give you an idea, though I know a lot of people will find this too invasive, so there will also be adhesion/harness options.
You might also have a good amount of success through kickstarter or youcaring. I’m curious about the cost of stage 1 though, as I would have thought stage 2 would be the real cost. Stage 1 is just planning right? So I guess I’m just wondering why the funding goal is so high lol
Unfortunately kickstarter wouldn’t host this as they deem it to be an “inappropriate product” and yes, I’m most definitely hoping to be able to complete stage 1 in under $50,000 and roll the extra into the next phase, but I also wanted to make sure that there’s solid enough interest first. I will be updating on progress in the coming weeks with much more tangible information to put people’s minds at ease, as I know some people are reluctant to donate at this stage as they feel it’s not fleshed out enough yet. However due to finishing up some patent specifics, at this stage I’m still forced to be a little vague.
will this work for men to who haven’t had any testosterone yet?
yes it will :)
As a pre everything trans guy who doesn’t want to go through bottom surgery but still wants a penis, this is perfect! I wanted to ask about the lubrication/ejaculation reservoir. Will you be able to simulate authentic ejaculation with the bionic while masturbating and/or during sex?
It’s unlikely, but it will be something we will explore. I’d love to say yes, but also don’t want to over promise.
If it’s alright, I have a few questions! One being that I noticed somebody mentioned the stroking feature, is there any way that it could possibly be input to such a thing? Also, when the muscles are triggered, will it instantly erect or slowly get to its position? One more thing, my apologies if this a weird question or a dumb one, but how would the wearer experience the pleasure done to the penis? It says that it “Stimulates the wearer‘s erogenous zone”, but could you elaborate please? Also, either way, I think all of this is such a wonderful idea and I encourage your work!!
It would be similar to the way your smart phone registers touch and then responds with an appropriate action which in this case will be to tell the unit to become erect, and again, we want it to mimic natal anatomy, so it won’t just BOING into a solid object ;) re stimulating the wearer, it will have a silicone nub that will press against your natal anatomy, possibly also vibrate much like the Bono.
When did this idea come about?
The idea? Probably when I was about three years old. But I first started putting wheels in motions on initial research and feasibility and first talking about it publicly a bit over a year ago, and started the ball rolling seriously a bit over a month ago.
So, just wondering but if another transmasculine person was able to create something similar to this, but fairly different or possibly improved, would you want to work with them or sue them? I ask because in it’s current conception, I wouldn’t consider this product to be a match for me in every aspect needed. I don’t want this to end up like those prosthetic companies that end up having beef. Like this is to improve the lives of trans people. Yknow?
I’d want to work with them. I do have a patent pending on it, but this technology needs to exist, and I’m certainly not doing this for the money. I’m doing this out of personal need and if someone else had already created a product like this or better, then I’d be very happy to not have to embark on this hard slog. If you want to run anything by me, feel free! :)
That is so fantastic to hear :’) I’m so excited for the future with this!!
Hey Alex!
After seeing the initial renderings I have a bit of an issue with the placement of the ball sac. It seems like it would end up right between the wearers legs instead of hanging in front of the body. Is there a specific reason for this design choice? And will you try to find a more “realistic” position for the scrotum or is this the final concept?
These are currently just concept sketches so no, this is not what the final will look like.
Hi, I found out about this project a little while ago and I’m super super excited about it!! I was wondering, considering how expensive this is going to be, are there any plans for any sort of warranty? I’m just thinking of how clumsy I can be, and I’d hate to have to spend another long while saving up for a replacement. I’ve scrolled through the comments and seen you talk about the possibility of insurance covering at least some of it, which would be AMAZING, but I still worry about any roadblocks I might hit with insurance and having to pay out of pocket or something along those lines. (Trying to get top surgery has been quite a process so far :/)
Also, how waterproof do you think it will be? Are you thinking of making it waterproof enough for swimming, or is that out of the question? (Not that swimming with it is my first thought, but again, I worry about accidents that may be bound to happen.)
Thank you so much for all the work you’re putting into this product!! Actual bottom surgery is both way out of my price range and also sounds fairly terrifying to me to be honest, seeing this project in progress means a lot to me!
It will definitely be waterproof and will also come with a limited warranty :)
This looks super exciting. I’m wondering about the stimulation nub.
For me I would prefer something that went both sides of my bits, rather than a single nub that pressed straight down. This would give a bit of a feel of being inside, which would feel better for me.
I don’t know if that’s something that could work though.
Thanks for all the work you’re doing on this!
^ same here. I feel like me and a nub are sword fighting and I’m losing the match, every time; like something is stabbing at my most sensitive bits. Nothing fun about it at all – making the pee tube entrance a place smooth/inviting enough that we can insert the little guy as we insert/play with the big guy would be far more enticing to me. I love the concept and the potential collaborations I’m seeing in the thread, keep up the good work guys!
Yes we’re definitely exploring a few options here. Have you tried the Bono? I think you’ll find that this kind of “nub” is very different to what you’re envisioning :)
I cannot wait for this product. There is no doubt I will save as much money I can to buy it.
However I have some questions: How long do you think she shaft will be? How realistic will the look and texture be? Also will the length change with its flaccid and erect states?
We’re aiming for average in both flaccid an erect states so yes size will change. The idea is to get it as realistic as possible.
Hey Alex! Have you heard of the company reelmagik? They have moveable foreskin and 3d testicles on their models and other stuff. And their products are super real looking. there is also a company called “the ultimate prosthetic” but they are a scam (rip) they seem to have been able to make moveable foreskin on their prosthetic as well (the one they won’t sell lol) they have a demo video showing it off as well as manual ejaculation by squeezing the left ball (Reelmagik is NOT the scam website to clarify) but that other company is known to be rumored for being scammy, the reason I brought it up is because (maybe you could get ideas from their demo model? (Or figure out how they did that?) it may not be much help but I look up your website everyday to see what has changed and if I find anything that could bring you guys ideas and help you guys out I’ll be sure to bring it to you so you can help the community. Good luck Alex! Saving for the bionic as of today’s date.
Yes, I’m aware of both, and yes, “the ultimate prosthetic” is a scam. Good to see reelmagik doing some great stuff!
Two questions, do you think this product would go through airport security fine? (In luggage)
And would swimming be possible?
In checked luggage, no problem at all. In hand luggage, even if security sees what it is as it’s going through the scanner, that’s not what they’re looking for (as dicks are thank fully not the terrorist’s weapon of choice) and would have no reason to pull your bag aside. And yes, you can swim with it, but not in chlorinated water as that will shorten the life span of the silicone.
Is there a way to become a tester?
Hello
I am just curious.Sorry if ask dumb questions.
1>>Could you be able to tell it’s prosthetics if you are having s** with a person?
2>>Will it be cis passing when naked ?(eg in locker room,changing clothes etc)
3>>And if you want to have surgery (magnetic attached (idk the term) ) ,is it safe for the junk you already got assigned at birth to be beneath the prosthetic??How will the health effect of the already junk?
4>>Is it possible to remove after surgery,if you ain’t comfortable?
5>>How ejaculation /lubricant will be filled?
6>>Will i be able to sense in sexual way like touching/ sucking the prosthetic?
7>>Is is going to be made variety of skin tone colors
Sorry for many questions.Thank you .
I want to go stealth and not worry about my junk in the future.And I believe this will make me complete.I thought this kind of product would be only available after I die but i feel relieved.Future is bright.Thank you for the project.It has already made me happy that i gonna have a d***.
Yeah man.
I will definitely buy this.I don’t have the bravery to have Phalloplasty and medioplasty results is not pleasing to me.This is the solution i hope.
Less scaring and minor surgery.I am happy.
1 yes most likely
2 that’s what we’re hoping for
3 attachment system is still quite unresolved at this stage
4 yes
5 most likely like the Joystick ie with a syringe
6 there will be haptic feedback to a vibrator which will be responsive to touch
7 yes
Thank you for answering all of my long answers.I would like to choose this instead of having metoidioplasty.I am so happy and hopeful because of this bionic.
I wish bionic would make me able to pass as cis in bedroom too.But other than that I am so excited for this.
I am currently in the very beginning of my trans journey and I am more than terrified by the existing options to obtain a penis.
You can’t believe, how much hope this project gives me, that one day there is gonna be an option for me to get rid of bottom dysphoria without having a risky operation.
Thank you so so much for your efforts. Just the fact that someone is trying to develope a solution like this makes me so so thankful and hopeful.
Keep on going, I am glad to help a project like this with my donation, even if it isn’t a lot.
Thank you so much!!!
Listen, I realize that this forum, and the products in development, is designed to address the needs and concerns of trans men. But please consider this: the overwhelming majority of men who are living with psychological trauma concerning their penises are NOT trans men, and when researching possible solutions to address these traumas, their concerns should count for something also.
Let me provide you with a small, random sample list of problems faced by enormous numbers of men:
*Chronic and untreatable ED caused by Type I Diabetes, Neurological conditions (MS, Parkinson’s, Paralysis, Head trauma, Strokes, etc)
*Circulatory abnormalities caused by Cardiac disease, occlusion of veins, arteries, or capillaries due to metabolic disease, congenital malformations, aging, genetic vulnerabilities, etc.
*Men born with a “micro penis” rendering them unable to have sex or satisfy a partner
*Men born with small penises, which often leads to bullying, shame, body dysmorphia, etc
So if you cared about human suffering in general, as opposed to only caring about suffering within your own community, then a bionic penis(es) should be developed that can also be placed surgically, like a limb prosthesis, to address the needs of non-trans men. This bionic penis should ideally give men natural sensations, a range of size options, erections and deflations whenever they are desired, and of course the ability to urinate normally.
Not only would the development of such a prosthesis address an enormous amount of human suffering, but it would result in it’s developers becoming among the wealthiest people on Earth.
These are all important points and I do anticipate that what we create will be adaptable to natal males also. At present, natal men do have a lot more options available to them for the treatment of ED, be it through drugs or surgery and other disease and congenital malformations than trans men do. Trans men have always been the inadvertent beneficiaries of treatments designed for natal men, and it may just be that for the first time in history, it ends up being the other way around here. I’m sure you’re aware of the surgical options currently available such as this https://youtu.be/QGSC6q_q6K4 Also, there are very encouraging advances on lab grown penis and penile transplants that will definitely be available for natal men in the near future that will, sadly, in all likelihood not be options for trans men for a long time to come. (see http://transthetics.com/future-bright/ and http://transthetics.com/the-future-penis/) What I would like to see is a multitude of viable options for ALL men who have penile issues and I’m just doing my small part in starting to address some of these problems.
Thanks sp much for the idea and your energy. It’s almost 2 years already. How is your project going? Hope to hear good things from you. Wish you the best
When y’all are talking microcontroller and circuit boards, I’m sure you are thinking of a typical pcb. However, advances with 3d printing have actually allowed the circuit pathways to be printed on cloth with a special ink, this would definitely reduce the amount of space needed for it.
As a transmale, I to like the idea of the touchnstroke sensor to reach an erect state.
I’ve been designing a version of this myself based on soft robotics. But it’s basically made for play and as an alternate to strapons for cis women that does have a part that gets inserted but the intention is for it to stimulate the internal g-spot.
I was born in the wrong body, but this is how this body works – sometimes the only way to climax is to stimulate the internal g-spot, that’s just a fact of my life.
I only started my design because I have yet to find anything that works for my particular anatomy. Including STP device. I didn’t consider an all in one design because back in 2006 the technology wasn’t around yet. But with 3D printing skyrocketing the development of new materials and new ways to create PCB’s that are flexible and cheaper to produce, and advancing soft robotics – I can totally see this happening.