Robin Elenga didn’t think he’d get into the vibrator business. But five years ago, after learning about how the Sonicare toothbrush was being used as a sexual stimulation device, the former technology consultant got intrigued with the motors that powered vibrators.
He thought there could be a better way, a quieter and more powerful device than other vibrators on the market.
From that nugget of an idea, the Revel Body was born. Now, Elenga, is getting ready to launch the new sex toy, rolling out what he calls the biggest technological advancement in vibrators in more than four decades. Elenga proudly proclaims that the Revel Body, which is unveiling a new Indiegogo fundraising effort today and is gearing up for a full launch in June, provides 50 percent more power than other vibrators on the market.
It also looks nothing like traditional phallic-shaped vibrators, instead more closely resembling a tennis ball.
Elenga, however, is most excited about the motor behind the Revel Body. With one patent already granted, Elenga says that the motor can be adjusted between 24 and 200Hz, providing a greater range of vibration.
“If you vibrate something at a single speed for a long time, you get numb. If you’ve ever sanded a piece of furniture, you know how your hand is totally numb at the end,” he said. “So, what happens when you jump to another speed is that you can feel it again. Vibrator users like the wide range of adjustment.”
It’s also far quieter than the competition, which Elenga said is one of most important features in a vibrator.
“People hate noisy vibrators because they think the neighbor can hear it,” he said.
Consumers also have grown tired of the branding associated with traditional vibrators.
“A lot of the older brands on the market have a heavy porn metaphor, and a lot of the newer brands have a sensual metaphor. But if you talk to consumers, this is a healthy part of their life that makes them feel good, so we have this very modern design. I mean, I’ve been demoing them in coffee shops for the last two years, and no one knows.”
Revel Body, which has raised $1.3 million in angel financing, is looking to debut the product in June for $180. Made in China, it boasts a lithium ion battery and USB charger.
The three-person company plans to sell the device on its Web site, as well as through brick-and-mortar retail channels. One day, Elanga said he’s hopeful that retailers like Nordstrom will carry it.
“The industry is mainstreaming very quickly,” said Elanga, adding that vibrators are now being sold at drugstores and major retailers like Wal-Mart.
Nonetheless, Elenga said that it is still very much a “stigmatized industry” and he struggled at one point to find a manufacturer in the U.S. who wanted the business. Banks also have largely steered clear of Revel Body.
“When you get push back like that, you think it is a negative. But there is a big positive to it…. Sin industries tend to have higher profit margins because all of your competitors are off making iPhone apps or social networking sites,” he said. “There are less competitors really chasing the business, and there are no big Fortune 500 companies. For raising money, as long as you get people with an open mind, it creates an opportunity for better returns in both profitability as well as in an exit. As this industry mainstreams, at some point, there is going to be a big company, other than Trojan, that is going to want to get in. And they are going to buy the technology and the brand that is most interesting.”
Revel Body is also looking at licensing the technology behind the motor, with Elenga saying it could provide better vibrations to cell phones, game controllers and medical devices. In fact, the motor is what Elanga says will set Revel Body apart in the long run.
When he first started looking at the industry, Elenga said he was stunned to learned that battery-powered vibrators largely used the same type of motor.
“It is hyper competitive industry, but they are not competing on the core function of the vibrator. They are competing on everything else — packaging, shape, price, marketing. Everything, but the thing that is important,” says Elenga. “And so, I had the idea, if we can build a better motor, it is a gigantic industry that underserves the consumer.”
Here’s Elenga showing off the technology:
Here’s a promotional video of the Revel Body:
The revolutionary Revel Body sonic vibrator from Revel Body on Vimeo.
Previously on GeekWire: The vibrator of the future: Revel Body uses sonic tech to power new sex toy line
