Working for start-ups or multinationals requires very different approaches. It’s not always possible to extensively explore and validate all possibilities when working for a start-up. Within the often limited budget we follow a pragmatic approach and develop a promising idea into a successful product. A good example is the development of YOU.FO.
YOU.FO is a challenging new sport that’s ‘Easy to play, hard to master’. The sport features a dynamic gameplay, testing both skill and endurance. An aerodynamically shaped ring can be caught and thrown over a long distance using a stick. The throw is aimed easily and accurately.
Entrepreneur Bas Ruyssenaars came up with the initial idea. We designed the stick to give the ring a tremendous acceleration. Specialists in aerodynamics from the Technical University in Delft helped us shaping the ring. We collaborated in optimizing flight characteristics that ensure a stable trajectory.
Testing prototypes was instrumental during the development phase. Numerous models were made, got destroyed and were adapted and tested again. The tests were conducted in a sports hall and in the university’s wind tunnel facility. This approach got us to our solution swiftly and the results even astounded the specialists in the field of aerodynamics.
The comprehensive research led to a set of critical parameters for the ring’s flight characteristics. These insights formed the basis for the final design of both stick and ring. The design we ended up with complements the dynamic and innovative nature of the sport perfectly.
YOU.FO is a challenging new sport that’s ‘Easy to play, hard to master’. The sport features a dynamic gameplay, testing both skill and endurance. An aerodynamically shaped ring can be caught and thrown over a long distance using a stick. The throw is aimed easily and accurately.
Entrepreneur Bas Ruyssenaars came up with the initial idea. We designed the stick to give the ring a tremendous acceleration. Specialists in aerodynamics from the Technical University in Delft helped us shaping the ring. We collaborated in optimizing flight characteristics that ensure a stable trajectory.
Testing prototypes was instrumental during the development phase. Numerous models were made, got destroyed and were adapted and tested again. The tests were conducted in a sports hall and in the university’s wind tunnel facility. This approach got us to our solution swiftly and the results even astounded the specialists in the field of aerodynamics.
The comprehensive research led to a set of critical parameters for the ring’s flight characteristics. These insights formed the basis for the final design of both stick and ring. The design we ended up with complements the dynamic and innovative nature of the sport perfectly.
The end result of the YOU.FO project didn’t go unnoticed. It was one of the finalists at ISPO BrandNew 2013 and won both the National Sports Innovation Award 2013 as well as FieldLab Eindhoven’s Profit Innovation Award 2012.
Challenge yourself and visit www.you.fo to learn more about this innovative sport concept.