It's been an exciting year for sex tech and innovations, between a sex robot that holds conversations, a virtual health clinic, and dozens of new sex toys. But when it comes to sex inventions, the year has not even hit its peak. Over the next few months, we're going to see an online school just for sex ed, several products to prevent painful sex, and more inventions that could really change people's sex lives — and their lives overall, for that matter.
"The biggest trend in sex tech in 2017 is female founders," Future of Sex podcast host Bryony Cole, who helped scope out the innovations on this list, tells Bustle. "More and more women are taking charge of the narrative around sexuality and developing products and services to suit their lifestyles and sexual preferences. JWT Intelligence Report called this phenomenon 'vagina-nomics,' which is the joining of the two words, vagina and economics — because there have never been more products on the market geared toward female sexual health."
You'll see that reflected in this list: Many of these inventions are by women, and that's a win for more than one reason. It means more women in the tech industry, and it means more products geared toward women's sexual desires. And it's about time we had that.
Here are some sex inventions you can look forward to seeing later in the year.
1
The Queen Bee
This is the first female toy from Hot Octopuss, which created the famous oscillator-powered "guy-brator" PULSE. "Unlike conventional sex toys, the Queen Bee uses a ‘piston’-type mechanism in order to generate extremely deep and rumbly oscillations," a Hot Octopuss rep tells Bustle "These high-amplitude oscillations are significantly more powerful and intense than standard vibrations and often lead to a unique and very powerful orgasm." And for one Bustle writer it definitely did. I'm intrigued.
2
O.School
For those who weren't satisfied with what they learned in sex ed (so basically, everyone), this platform launching in October gives you access to free online classes on BDSM, polyamory, and everything you ever wanted to know about sex and relationships. You're never too old to learn, after all, especially when it comes to sex.
3
Private Packs
Another new product to help deal with genital pain is Private Packs, which deliver hot and cold temperature down there. "I thought of the pack after a Brazilian wax left me hairless and completely skinless," founder Suzanne Sinatra tells Bustle. But it can also be used after childbirth, surgery, a "REALLY good night," and anything else that causes genital pain. Sinatra picked gender-neutral names for the products to be inclusive: The first pack, Avery, is for vulvas, and she's developing one called Hunter for penises.
4
OhMiBod's Club Vibe 3OH Hero
New Club Vibe vibrators just keep on coming out. Less than a year after releasing the music-activated panty vibrator Club Vibe 2.OH, OhMiBod is coming out with a butt-plug version on Sept 1. Yup, that's right: You put it in your butt when you go out, and it vibrates to the music.
"Ever since we have launched our Club Vibe product line, we have been getting requests for this specific type of product," OhMiBod founder Suki Dunham tells Bustle. "We developed this product based on consumer response and we are excited!"
5
B-Vibe's Snug Plugs
B-Vibe's newest creation, which comes out in September, is the Snug Plug line, which consists of butt plugs in a torpedo shape to provide pressure and stay comfortable if you want to leave them in for a while. They also feature ridges geared toward internal stimulation.
6
Tabu
Currently, this web app has education pages about all sorts of sex topics, from body image to porn. In a few weeks, it'll also have a forum where sexperts can answer users' questions, and later in the fall, you'll be able to access all this through an iOS app so you can stay informed about your body.
7
Unbound's First Private Label Collection
Unbound, which currently sells subscription-based boxes of sex toys and sexual wellness products from other brands, is launching its own line in November. Its aim: To provide great sex at lower-than-average prices without compromising quality. Their first four products will be two vibrators, a lube, and a "Shag Bag" for sex on the go.
The summer may be coming to a close, but if these products are any indication, we've still got a lot to look forward to this year.
