The RealDoll is a life-size sex doll (also considered a mannequin) manufactured by Abyss Creations in San Marcos, California, and sold worldwide. It has a poseable PVC skeleton with steel joints and silicone flesh, which is the state-of-the-art for life-like human body simulation. All models are $5,999 US plus shipping, except for the new licensed Wicked RealDolls, which are $6,999 US plus shipping.
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The RealDoll is designed to recreate the appearance, texture, and weight of the human female and male form. Their primary function is to serve as sex toys. This activity can be accompanied by certain preparations such as dressing them up in different types of clothing, changing wigs or makeup, and even adjusting 'body temperature' by use of electric blankets or baths.
Early prototypes were made from solid latex with an interior 'skeleton,' but construction of the outer material was later switched to more realistic silicone. In June 2009, Abyss Creations switched from tin cure silicone to the much better quality platinum (medical grade) silicone, which resulted in dolls that are much less prone to tears and compression marks than older RealDolls.[1]
The current incarnation of the female RealDoll product was introduced in 1996[2] . In 2003, Abyss introduced the "Face-X" system, allowing any 'face' to be interchangeable with any 'body.' Multiple 'faces' can then be attached one at a time to a single doll by the owner. As of 2011, there are nine classic 'female' 'bodies' and 16 classic 'female' 'faces'. In 2009 the RealDoll 2 was introduced, which feature removable inserts for the 'mouth' and 'vagina' and 'faces' that attach by magnets instead of Velcro. The line debuted with two 'female' 'bodies' and three 'female' 'faces' and has since grown to nine 'female' 'faces.' Two new 'female' 'bodies' are in development.[3]
"Charlie", the first 'male' RealDoll, was retired in 2008[4] and replaced with two 'male' 'bodies' featuring the interchangeable 'face' system that the 'female' dolls have long enjoyed. While there are still fewer 'male' options to choose from (two 'bodies' and three 'heads') new options will continue to be added in the future. 'Shemale' dolls may also be purchased from the company, although these must be custom ordered. Abyss also sells silicone toys such as 'female' 'torso' products and dildos among other offerings.
For a time, the company also offered customizations such as robotic 'hip' actuators and computer controlled 'speech' feedback. These expensive options are no longer available, but RealDoll creator Matt McMullen has stated a desire to keep working in the areas of robotics and electronics.
Use of RealDolls is not exclusively sexual. Some owners use the dolls merely as stand-ins for human models in photography or other visual art. Some owners also use the dolls as non-sexual companion substitutes, rarely (if ever) 'having intercourse' with them. Still other owners buy the dolls simply because they consider them to be beautiful works of art.
Most RealDoll owners are men but some women own them too, and they are shared by couples as well.
RealDolls are shipped to nearly every country in the world, with the majority in the United States. The three largest international markets are Germany, Australia, and the United Kingdom. To date, over 4000 dolls have been created and shipped.