Feedback really welcome for BEng project

[leesullivan21]

Hello,

I'm currently studying a BEng in engineering and for my final dissertation I'm looking at creating a sustainable, inexpensive travelling accessory: That can be used in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle with the benefit of reduce carbon emissions....

Not to bore everyone to much, I want to design a practical rucksack that can transform into a one man usable tent. giving more to the cycling/hiking holiday. I believe there is a market for such a product and I would like to know if like minded people would
a) use such a product
b) have any doubts about it being fit for purpose
c) or any general thoughts

Feedback really welcome and wanted.

Many thanks

Lee Sullivan

[camo]

Hi Lee

I think I know what you want to achieve however I am not convinced there is a market for a rucksack that converts into a tent. My concern is that if it is your intention to use the body of the RS as part of the fabric of tent then you would need to empty the RS to put the tent up, this would take away the storage capacity of the RS and leave clothes damp from overnight moisture. You amy be considering a compartment that allows the tent to pull out of the RS which would be handy but you will then fix a persons choice of tent and RS combination adn you will need to be careful about the position of the RS in the erected tent. I am also not clear on how this would reduce carbon emmisions, I suspect you may say reduce manufacturing but the tent will still require a light fabric in addition to the more robust outer of a RS so both elemnts will require manufacturing and there will b elittle imoact on carbon Emissions.

As a recent Master student in Business Strategy I would recommend two actions; First of all Market your idea, this does not mean advertise but approach your potential customers with a feasible design and get there in put. i.e. an extension of waht you are doing here. However I would also be cautious about widely advertising an idea without any protective ptaent.
Secondly look at the market place and understand who you are competing with and what is on the market you may find you duplicate something that is about already. Your ultimate objective should be to ensure the tremendous effort you will need to put into a dissertation has a long term benefit past your qualification and therefore you need to balance the need for market research with openly sharing an idea that an established manufactuere may steal.

My gut feeling is that there is little advantage in waht you are suggesting unless you are able to change the manufacturing process to produce a different kind of material. I also think there is more basic equipment that needs an engineer to invent that will have a definite market. Ideas such as rain water harvesting, usable photovoltaic power sources, non invasive heat sources and self heat food packaging spring to mind.

Good luck with your studies and I look forward to hearing from you but please if you have a cracking idea keep it to yourself until you can get protection.

Roy

[Jim Ford]

Have you actually done any serious hiking/trecking? If you have you'll realise that there are conficting requirements for the fabric of a lightweight tent and rucksack. Rucksack materials need to be much thicker and tougher than those of a lightweight tent. Also as 'camo' mentioned, you don't want to have to empty your rucksack out to pitch your tent - I keep what I don't immediately need in my rucksack in the tent. Also, what about when you want to use the tent as a base and venture out for a day - you'll need a rucksack to carry your waterproofs, food, water etc.?

Jim

[eeyore]

i agree with camo and jim - also if you are aiming at emergency shelter the product already exists as a blokka bag - basically a large bivy bag that you get in then use your rucksack to prop up one end.

overall my feeling is that shared use products are rarely worthwhile - and most serious hill walkers will want a decent tent and a decent 'sac , not a jack of all trades, master of none solution. - you might need to return to the drawing board

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by eeyore

a blokka bag

I've not heard of that one. I guess it's the same as my 'bothy bag' which I thought was a good idea - but which I've carried arround for years without using. Mind you, that's what emergency equipment's all about!

Jim

[BloomingMarvellous]

What an absolutely Blooming good idea... I want one. Festival people would Love this, I can tell you.

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by BloomingMarvellous

Festival people would Love this, I can tell you.

I wouldn't want to spend a week in one!

(I take it you mean a blokka/bothy bag)

Jim

[ron1863]

Hi and a warm welcome to WAB.

I have to agree with Camo, Jim and eeyore in that it would be impractical to have to empty the rucksack to put up the tent. Also, a lot of people pitch their tent and then go hiking and that would require another rucksack to carry food, clothing etc.

[BloomingMarvellous]

Now what would be clever Is a Sleeping Bag In a Tent In a Rucksack with Tea making facilities thrown In.

[Meta menardi]

I think the drawbacks mentioned are all relevant, another problem is that I use more than one sac (big one, little one) but I carry a Goretex bivi-bag whenever I take either.