June 2, 2008 Flaik is a personal tracking device for skiers and snowboarders that fuses GPS & GSM/GPRS technologies to give riders the ability to monitor personal performance such as speed, distance, altitude and airtime.
Created by CMD Product Design and Innovation and manufactured by Snowsports Interative, Flaik maps the rider’s data in real-time using web-based location software via SMS. It can transmit its location every second over a 15 hour period and ski performance is automatically collated chronologically for users to browse, search, organize, replay and save. Results are sorted by criteria and statistics can be emailed to friends or posted on the Flaik web community. The online community allows users to build a personal profile with snow history, check their current location or the location of other riders, plan snow trips and view their personal progress.
Designed to blend well with current snow apparel, the device fits around the arm and is can withstand the cold. It is made from UV stable, ROHS Lexan EXL which is rated to be durable to -60°C/-140°F and insulated by a shock absorbing SEBS cover. The double stitched, high tensile strap is linked to the outer jacket via robust loops constructed from environmentally friendly recycled reinforced glass filled polypropylene. Taking environmental concerns into account, the device is made using recycled plastic where possible and the system is highly energy efficient, with very low power consumption.
Although the user can be notified when they exit a resort’s boundaries or enter danger zones, the manufacturers stress that the Flaik is not a safety device and doesn't replace the need a proper safety beacon.
Flaik, which recently picked up the top gong at the Australian International Design Award, is set to launch across major ski resorts in North America this coming ski season.
