Wait, What? 4 of the Most Surprising Product Development Requests We've Received
From a premium adult toy to a watch built for surfers - the stories behind four unforgettable projects.
In Brief
As one of Israel's leading product development companies, having helped hundreds of entrepreneurs design and build products, we receive plenty of unusual requests every year. Most unusualness shows up in functionality, design direction, or target market.
But every so often we get requests that make us stop and ask 'wait, what?' - and then, after the surprise passes, 'actually, why not?' Below are four of the most surprising development requests we've taken on recently, and how each ended up.
Surprising Request #1: A Premium Toy for Adults
We get many requests from entrepreneurs developing toys and games. One day, a young entrepreneur called and said he too wanted a toy - but for adults. He wanted a premium experience: comfortable to use, authentic feel, playful but serious.
We were a bit awkward at first, but quickly realized he was a serious entrepreneur with a clear specification, sketches, and even packaging direction. We took the project, and the result became a real success. It even appeared at a Las Vegas trade show, where it drew significant attention.
Surprising Request #2: A Whole Population Was Waiting for This Watch
Israel is a serious surfing country - tens of thousands of surfers wake up before dawn to catch waves. One day, two of them called us for help with a product. We'd done products for surfing and water sports before, but their request was a smile-inducer: it was going to solve one of surfing's biggest practical problems.
Surfers don't know what time it is. Many are parents whose dawn surf is just the first stop of the day - they need to drive kids to school. We mostly check time on smartphones today, so how do you check between waves?
The product we co-developed is a fully waterproof watch designed for surfers - oversize digits, glove-friendly buttons, a unique design language for the community. It's now sold around the world.
Surprising Request #3: The Eternally-Young Entrepreneur
Sometimes the surprise isn't 'what' but 'who.' Our most surprising entrepreneur was a charming 86-year-old who had recently emigrated and wanted to develop a household product based on an idea he'd been refining for decades. The energy, sharpness, and discipline he brought to the project taught the team a lesson that lives on in our company values: there's no minimum or maximum age for serious product development.
Surprising Request #4: A Product to Save a Niche Hobby
One client came to us not to build a business, but to save a hobby community. A specialty accessory had been discontinued by its overseas manufacturer, leaving thousands of enthusiasts without a critical piece of gear. He was willing to fund the redesign and small-batch production himself. We took it - because passionate customers are exactly the customers we want to serve.
Tip From the Experts
Behind every surprising request is a real human need. We've learned not to dismiss an idea just because it's outside our normal flow - the unusual projects often produce the most rewarding work, and the most loyal customers.
Key Takeaways
Outside-the-Box
Unusual requests often hide real, underserved needs.
Community Products
Designing for a tight community produces deeper love.
Surprising Successes
Some unconventional projects became international hits.
Serious Process Either Way
Every project gets the same engineering rigor.
No Age Minimum
Great entrepreneurs come at every age and stage.
Saying Yes Carefully
Yes when feasible and aligned, always with a clear path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you take any product idea?
We take ideas where there's a real need, an entrepreneur committed to seeing it through, and a feasible engineering path. We say no to projects that don't meet those criteria.
Do unusual requests cost more?
Not necessarily. Pricing follows complexity, not novelty.
How do you scope an unusual product?
We start with a thorough specification process - the same one we'd apply to a routine product. Clarity at the start prevents surprises later.
Can you sign an NDA before I share my idea?
Yes. We routinely sign NDAs with first-time clients and treat every idea as confidential by default.
How long does it take to launch a product like these?
Most ATI products move from concept to production-ready in 8-18 months, depending on complexity, certifications, and tooling.
Do you only develop physical products?
We focus on physical products - mechanical, electronic, and combinations of both - manufactured at scale.