It's not a real ECG, but a wireless heart rate monitor (HRM) belt like you'd use with a gym machine or a sports watch can work for this purpose. I'm using a Polar RMCM-01 receiver module tethered to an Arduino board to pick up and decode the signal.

1. can I control the board (and hence the masturbatory device) from a PC? Via USB or serial? From java? The Arduino board has one serial port. It's wired to a USB->Serial converter that's built onto the board. When connected to a PC, it appears as a USB->Serial adapter. You can talk to it in the us...

e. As for tracking contractions - that seems like a bit too late for me, although I didn't try. As for that part I believe the best idea was infrared sensor at the base of the penis. Tracks heartbeat also, but the contraction gives much higher peak in readings. ;-) I think in this application you'd...

Nezhul wrote:Can you make a vibration pattern that'll keep you close yet won't allow actual orgasm, yet without any sensor of arousal detection?

I'd wager the answer is "no" except under very controlled circumstances.

EDIT: I have one more question. It makes no difference, if I connect a LED to the 5V pin or to an controllable pin (setting output to high). The LED shines bright in both cases. But when I try the same with the vibrator, only the 5V version works. Can anyone explain the logic behind this? The 5V pi...

I just build an anal pressure sensor, and it was quite simple. Ok. I've built a similar device I used a freescale MPXV7002DP. It's a 5V part with two air ports. It outputs 2.5V if they are in equilibrium, and goes up or down depending on whether there's negative or positive pressure differential. I...