06/26 Verge Project Update

Verge Project: Snowmobile Floatation Device

During our meeting today we all came back to the group with any ideas or suggestions that we had based on our research done by each member.  We talked about using the same type of inflatable boat that is used in aircrafts.  We talked about the rubber material that it is made out of and that it would be extremely durable.  This might be an option since it would hopefully prevent any popping because of the spikes on the snowmobile unit. We talked about using the same chemical of nitrogen gas which is used in vehicle air bags.  We brought up the fact of using inflatable tubes instead of a boat.  Discussion took place on the activation method of the unit.  We thought about using a sensor but couldn't come to any exact answers on if this would be the best possibility.  We thought of having the sensor activate if it was emerged in water but then we thought it might activate in times when there was a lot of slush and this might then turn into a safety hazard.  We tossed around the idea of having a switch on the unit but need to do some addition research.  We talked about some of the safety concerns of our project.  We wanted to make sure it deployed fast enough for the snowmobile and driver to be saved.  We wanted to make sure the deployment was smooth enough so that the driver was not injured.  Location also came up about the positioning of the device within the unit.  As a group we need to start to narrow our gaps down to determine the location of the device within the unit itself.  We have decided to continue our research as a group.

Nicole