Post on 04-Nov-2014
description
P E KBuilding The Internet Of Skis
At Normative, we’re actively engaged in explorations and experiments around designing for a networked future.
How can everyday objects, enhanced with the ability to sense their own internal states and ‘talk’ to one another, increasingly enrich our activities and social interactions?
How can we meaningfully connect people with their ski data, and with each other, on a ski hill?
Peak is a total performance technology system to enhance your skiing, and fill your mind with the mountains.
P E K
Custom Skis Electronics
App
Peak features sensor-enhanced, network-ready skis capable of measuring various aspects of the skier’s performance.
The system also facilitates the sharing of this data within a community of interconnected skiers on a hill.
The story so far ...Jan 2013 - Present
First, we wanted to gain a deeper understanding of ski performance data, gathered in real-world conditions.
These parameters would later serve as a foundation for our design work.
While skiing style can vary considerably from one individual to the next, the actual performance of the skier is ultimately determined by the interplay of forces that they exert on different parts of the ski (front, back, and middle).
From The Physics Of Skiing, by David Lind & Scott P. Sanders
Therefore, we decided to embed pressure and flex sensors inside the ski at key points, to measure relevant forces, and to shield them from the elements.
Flex Sensor 1 Flex Sensor 2 Pressure Sensor Flex Sensor 3
We built a rough structural prototype simulating the inner composition of a ski -- MDF, plywood, epoxy.
We conducted stress tests approximating the forces that the skis would experience on the slopes.
We found a natural partner in Praxis Skis, a boutique manufacturer based in Nevada.
Praxis shared our eagerness to push the boundaries of what a ski could be.
They also employed a hand-crafted approach to ski-making which dovetailed perfectly with the experimental nature of our prototyping process.
Manufacturing The Skis
From the Praxis Skis website: http://www.praxisskis.com/pages/construction.html
March 2013
The skis arrive at our studio.
With only a month left in ski season, prototyping begins immediately.
A Pelican case was used to protect and waterproof the electronics.
Our first breadboard prototype, employing an Arduino and aMicroSD shield.
Our second, soldered prototype.
A third, more integrated prototype.
Then, we went skiing.
Plotting the data yielded some interesting patterns.
We also made an app to cross-reference video with recorded data.
What are we working on right now?
We’re miniaturizing the electronics and adding bluetooth for a real-time data feed to a mobile device.
We’re designing a custom enclosure for the electronics.
Second design iteration, with various form languages.
Final round of designs for the enclosure.
CAD models of the final design, ready for 3D printing.
We’re designing an app around performance, flow state, and a skier’s relationship with the mountains.
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ArizonaGuyCupidatat irony pickled sed Bushwick American Apparel TFMmFT�MBCPSF�5SVGGBVU �GPVS�MPLP�
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BackBack PeakPeakTODAY Smuggler’s Notch, VASept 14, 2013
ArizonaGuyWatch out for sinkhole near beginning of Jolly Rodger run. Ski safe!
On average you ski 10 runs per day. Other Mothra skiiers ski 15, perhaps try taking shorter breaks.
5 mins ago
ArizonaGuyJust skiied @Smuggler’s Notch
10 mins ago
You earned the Speed Freak reward.60 mins ago
1900 ft
1600 ft
900 ft
1000 ft
15:11 30:30 21:24 14:02
1600 ft
900 ft
21:24 14:02
TOP SPEED
FEED
TIPSREWARDS
50kph
TOTAL DIST.
4300VERTICAL FT.
300km 2500ft
TOP ALTITUDE
x3 x5 x1
30:30
1900 ft
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BackBack PeakPeak
ArizonaGuyWay to go Collette, you are doing so awesome today. Keep shedding it up!
5 mins ago
COMMENTS
September 14, 2013
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30�Georgia Peaks - Smuggler’s Notch VA
1900 ft9:30am
10:02am
30:30RUN DURATION
4kmTOTAL DISTANCE
1400VERTICAL FEET
60kph
TOP SPEED
55kph
AVG SPEED
You push too hard when you carve. Ease up a little for better control.Set Goal >
o
MapSee run comparison
TOP AIRTIME
2s
AVG FORCE
52lbsSTABILITY
75%AVG ANGLE
30
TOTAL AIRTIME
6sJUMPS
3
CARVES
79
RUN TIME
20:00REST TIME
3:00LIFT TIME
7:30RUN TIME
30:30
See us at the ski show!
Oct 17-20, 2013
Thank you.