About
When it comes to action cameras, action is key. Screws and current quick release systems are slow and can cause you to miss key shots. With these systems, simple rotations of the camera can be potentially devastating when in the air, under the water, or on the trail. Don’t let your existing mounts slow down your action and adventures.
Speed Up Your Adventures
Switchback offers a revolutionary mounting system that finally lives up to the potential of your GoPro. Offering quick swivel and quick transfer abilities, adjusting the orientation and sharing between friends has never been easier. There is no longer a need to stop the action to share a GoPro between friends, simply pull the pin and hand off, it’s that easy.
How It Works
Switchback uses a Patent-Pending spring-pin mechanism to allow easy rotation at 90 degree increments and rapid switching between bases while remaining completely secure. Simple bases utilize the universal two prong system allow for easy expansion to cover all of your existing mounts, while the Switchback containing the locking pin and release handle remains attached to the camera and can be quickly released from the base. Switchback is compatible with all GoPro Hero models including the Hero 3+, Hero 4, and Hero Session. Switchback is also compatible with the Garmin Verb X/XE.
Project Timeline
BOCE LLC formed as a team in January of 2015 during a sophomore engineering design course. From January to May, we worked through concept generation techniques until we created our first rapid prototype. Over the course of four months, we worked on design iteration and prototyping with CAD software and 3D printer technology. Utilizing state of the art structural analysis software we have optimized our design for size and strength. By May 2015 we had our first fully functional, high fidelity prototype. In January of 2016, we chose to pursue Switchback further, striving for a product of highest fidelity to be sold to consumers. As of April, we have filed for a provisional patent on our design and are now seeking funding for our production process utilizing injection molding. Moving forward with the support of Kickstarter, we hope to work through July to make final design iterations in preparation for injection molding. Once the design is finalized we can begin to order injection molds to begin making parts. Once production starts, final assembly and shipping would be close behind.
Here’s Where We Need Your Help
We need your support to invest in injection molds. Over the last year we have worked through numerous designs and prototypes to optimize size and strength. 3D printing technology has been used to create most of our current prototypes. However, moving forward we plan to use injection molding to increase strength and durability. The large upfront cost of injection molds means we need support from our Kickstarter supporter to make it happen.
Reward Levels & Stretch Goals
Each reward level comes with a differing number of switchbacks and bases. Select the reward level that fits your need. More bases allow you to switch between more mounts. If you are constantly moving your camera between mounting locations, we suggest selecting a level with more bases to cover every mounting point. Additionally, if you have multiple cameras, we suggest a reward level with multiple Switchbacks for use with each camera.
Stretch Goals
$75,000 – Expansion to multiple camera platforms by utilizing a universal ¼-20 tripod mount compatible with most cameras.
The Team
We are the four founding members of BOCE LLC. We are all rising seniors pursuing Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University’s West Lafayette Campus. Joran Booth, who has recently earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, has joined our team after providing guidance through our studies at Purdue. In addition, we have been mentored by Dr. Tahira Reid, a Mechanical Engineering professor at Purdue University.
Risks and challenges
Our main risk is the possible increase cost of injection molding. While we have studied injection molding and have received quotes for production, there is always a possibility that any design changes could increase the cost of creating the molds. We believe that we have made a conservative estimate on the price and expect our goal of $40,000 to be adequate to start production.
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Funding period
- (30 days)