Whoot! I have just undertaken the first “test flight” with the very first Bionic Basic* prototype.

Admittedly I was a tad nervous as I approached the body scanner, as compared to the EZP, it’s quite a… generous package, but there was not a blip on the body scanner, only the usual side cargo pocket that always blips when I wear this pair of pants. Funnily enough, the only time I’ve ever had my crotch blip in the body scanner, was when I was wearing nothing in my underwear at all (although that was a one off and usually wearing nothing results in…nothing.)

In any case, that’s more or less what I assumed seeing the Bionic Basic* is made of silicone, plastic and liquid, but I still needed to find out for sure.**

The same will not be able to be said of the Bionic Deluxe* as this will have all sorts of metal, electronic and battery components that I would be AMAZED if they did not set off the body scanner.

And that’s exactly the kind of pros and cons that will need to be weighed as we move further down the track with prototyping… As the Bionic Basic relies purely on fluid movement and valves, it’s easier to keep this relatively compact and metal free. With the Bionic Deluxe, there’s a LOT of technology going into it which means our biggest battle continues to be size and power constraints.

But I’ll save that for another update in the near future. For now, it’s exiting to be at the stage of having a first prototype, though the actual ready for market, is still a ways away. Still, progress! Yay!!

 

*For a low down of the differences between the Basic and the Deluxe, check out this article.

**Keep in mind, I just had the prototype popped into my underwear without the Cochlear Vistafix attachment system. The word from Cochlear is that the Vistafix system WILL set off  SOME body scanners, but if you have the Vistafix system, you would carry a card that says you have a medical implant. However, this could still end up being a touch embarrassing when it’s your crotch screaming as a metal detector is waved over it. Then again, a lot of metal zippers will set off a metal scanners also, so it’s actually not that unusual. In any case, that’s certainly another thing to consider when it comes to whether or not getting permanent metal implants is a good idea. I also want to stress that research on the viability of the Cochlear Vista Fix system in this context is presently very limited. It’s possible in theory and has been done, but I do also want to temper people’s hopes on this, as it may or may not end up being a viable option in reality.