When did BaDoinkVR realise that there was a need to educate one on sex education in the bedroom? Why did BaDoinkVR decide to use virtual reality to help improve one‘s ability in the bedroom?
In a general sense, and speaking specifically to the US audience, where sex ed is non-existent, the realization was always there. Where it is taught in the schools, it’s not taught with much rigor. And at home, it’s one of the most uncomfortable subjects for parents to cover with their kids. Simultaneously, you realize—and there’s no shortage of punditry on the subject—that too many adults are getting their sexual ‘education’ by watching porn. That’s a problem, of course. Pornography is not educational, and pornographers are not educators. It is entertainment, and we are entertainers. That said, the idea of using VR to help adults improve their sex lives came to me well over a year ago. I was attending a VR/AR MeetUp here in Barcelona. Among the startups in attendance was a company offering an exposure therapy program for sufferers of acrophobia. You donned a pair of VR goggles and were instantly transported to a freight elevator, outside a skyscraper a mile high. The experience was convincingly real. So, that got me thinking about what we could do. There are no shortage of sexual hang-ups out there. We thought, with the right guidance—we hired a proper sex therapist to help with the script and direction—we could produce a program to help people become better, more attentive lovers.
As of now, how many people have used your services?
Unfortunately, I can’t disclose figures like that because it’s confidential info, but we’ve been delighted with the interest and attention Virtual Sexology has garnered. So much so, we’re keen to produce more videos in the same vein. The first video was rather general, focused on techniques like Kegel exercises for both men and women, breathing techniques, and tips for prolonging orgasm. Looking forward, we’d like to make videos more targeted: a Virtual Sexology video focused on achieving multiple orgasms, a Virtual Sexology video focused on overcoming premature ejaculation, or fear of intimacy, or impotence.
Tenga has recently released their virtual reality sex suit (http://www.digitaltrends.com/virtual–reality/tenga–vr–sex–suit), are there any plans to collaborate with them, or other companies in the future?
We’ve been following Tenga, and that suit is amazing. However, we’ve not spoken with them yet. On the other hand, we have partnered with Kiiroo. Their Onyx device is compatible with our Virtual Sexology program. Owners of the device therefore can enjoy a synchronous haptic experience while watching the Virtual Sexology program.
Will BaDoinkVR consider educating the public about safe sex (using contraceptions, sexually transmitted diseases, etc) in the future?
Definitely. It would all fall under the Virtual Sexology umbrella. If the response continues to be positive, continues to build momentum, there’s no limit to what we’ll pursue in the interest of sexual positivity and health.
How do you think the adult film industry will evolve with the use of virtual reality?
You will see more and more studios experimenting with virtual reality. Producers are interested because it’s a new way to shoot. Talent is interested because it brings the end-user–their fanbase—-closer to them, since VR, by nature, breaks the 4th wall. However, virtual reality is still quite nascent. Where consumer uptake is concerned, we’re still in the ‘early adopter’ phase of the technology’s life cycle. That means the market is still quite small, and any studio looking to break in, must brace itself for the long game.