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Background

    SurfUP is a startup that is sponsored by the Rady School of Management at the University of California, San Diego. With the rise in a surf community globally, there is a growing market for surf rentals. SurfUP allows amateur surfers to go to the beach, use the SurfUP app, choose a surfboard, and ride the waves! The three-step design process involved the initial development of a basic “pretotype”, a refined prototype, then finally a working product.  During each step, the team conducted feedback tests both at the beach and in multiple startup conferences around San Diego. All user feedback was used to influence the design decisions and final user experience for the automated surfboard rental station.

    With aesthetics, functionality, and user experience in mind, the SurfUP engineering team developed more and more effective designs.  The SurfUP engineering team is dedicated to providing our sponsors with two different locking mechanism designs, and a rigid station that allows for continuous user testing. After minimal user testing it became evident that the surfboards should be oriented vertically for the most inviting aesthetics.  The most involved design challenge was the production of an innovative locking mechanism. The team gained inspiration from prior products such as Bird Scooters and SPIN bikes, but none of the existing locking mechanisms translated directly to the automated station. After weeks of design iteration, the team developed two feasible locking mechanisms, both of which can be seen on the final product.  

Design Challenge:

The first iteration of the prototype, which can be seen in Figure E1, was very simple.  It was made entirely out of pvc pipe, and was incapable of implementing any locking mechanism.  Its sole function was to put it on the beach with a SurfUP sign to see how passersby reacted. The SurfUP team used this first prototype to gauge interest and ask potential customers about possible design considerations.

The second iteration of the design, which can be seen in Figure E2 was the first to see the implementation of a locking mechanism.  Although it was not connected to an app or any type of external functionality, user testing was accomplished along with the use of a dummy app.  This app did not charge users, but allowed them to get the interactive experience and offer any constructive feedback.

The third and final prototype, which can be seen in Figure E3, is designed for full functionality.  The RFID components are operable, and a user can experience the full functionality of the SurfUP concept.  It was robustly made out of aluminum extrusion and is easy to modify for any future adjustments.

Figure E1                                      Figure E2                                  Figure E3

The locking mechanisms were the most involved design challenge in the project.  The latch locking mechanism takes inspiration from a combination lock, and operates with actuation from a servo and torsional springs to lock the boards into place.  Figure E4 shows the internals of this design. The linear slider locking mechanism utilizes a rack and pinion to lock an acrylic bar in place, and thus keeping the board in its place, as can be seen in Figure E5.

Figure E4                                                            Figure E5

All of these lock and structural designs were combined to produce the most user-friendly, robust, functioning surfboard rental station possible.