From Idea to Beachside Bliss: The Prototype Design Journey

Welcome back to our blog, where we're excited to share the incredible progress we've made on our motorized utility cart journey! From that initial spark of inspiration to sandy beach testing on both the shores of Michigan and Cape Cod, we've come a long way in a short time. Let's dive into the exhilarating sequence of events that brought us to where we are today.

July 3, 2023 - The Idea Takes Root: While relaxing on the beach, our co-founder Gabe decided to do a quick calculation on his iPhone to determine if our vision was feasible. The necessary motor specifications were crunched, and without wasting any time, we ordered the motor that would set our project in motion.

July 6, 2023 - The Prototype Motors Arrive: Just three days later, the prototype motors arrived at Gabe's workshop in Michigan, signaling the beginning of our exciting journey into motorized utility cart development.

July 9, 2023 - The First Team Meeting: Despite the geographical distances—Gabe in Michigan, Emily in Massachusetts, and Dean in DC—our very first official team meeting was held virtually. During this crucial meeting, we selected the wheels, axel, and cart components that would form the foundation of our prototype. It was here that we charted our course forward.

July 23, 2023 - Integration Begins: With the necessary parts finally in our hands, the real work began. Brackets were meticulously welded to support the motor installation, marking the start of our integration phase.

July 24, 2023 - Motor Integration and More: Integration efforts continued as we delved into motor integration and motor controller integration, inching closer to the assembly of our prototype.

July 26, 2023 - The Battery Box: In a display of creativity and resourcefulness, a 3D printed box for the battery was crafted. This marked the final integration step, and we were tantalizingly close to seeing our vision come to life.

July 27, 2023 - First Road Test: With excitement and anticipation in the air, we conducted our first road test, which started off with great success. The cart performed admirably until a minor mishap occurred—a dropped throttle button and an accidentally run-over cable. Nevertheless, it was a day of celebration as it validated our motor and motor controller design, signaling that the most challenging part was behind us, and we could now focus on refining the usability.

July 28 to August 18, 2023 - Refinement and Packaging: Over the next few weeks, we meticulously improved the packaging of electronics and cabling for the cart. The throttle was securely mounted, cables were expertly routed, and final integration steps were taken, bringing us closer to a seamless user experience.

August 19, 2023 - On the Sandy Shores of Michigan: Gabe took the cart to the sandy beaches of Michigan for a comprehensive test drive, and it was a resounding success! This pivotal moment reaffirmed our belief in the potential of our motorized utility cart.

August 27 to September 3, 2023 - Cape Cod Adventures: Our cart journeyed to Cape Cod for an entire week of intensive beach testing. Based on these invaluable real-world experiences, we made final tweaks to the motor controller software, ensuring that it met the highest standards of performance and reliability. With many successful beach days where no one had to carry anything, our prototype emerged as ready for beta testing!

We're thrilled to have reached this significant milestone. Stay tuned as we move into the next phase, where our prototype will be put to the test by our beta testers. Together, we're making beach days and outdoor adventures better, one wheel at a time!

If you have any questions or want to share your thoughts, feel free to contact us. Your feedback is invaluable as we continue on this exciting journey. Until next time, here's to beachside bliss and the promise of a brighter future!