Problem
Checking a phone on a ski slope requires removing a glove, fumbling with a touchscreen in cold conditions, and looking away from the run. Collisions, falls, and distracted skiing follow. No commercial product puts real time data (speed, temperature, altitude, run tracking) directly in a skier's field of vision without requiring them to look away from the slope.
Approach
A modular HUD clip-on designed to work with existing ski goggles without permanent modification. The system delivers a heads-up display in the skier's peripheral line of sight using commercial off-the-shelf optics and a compact embedded compute stack.
- Optics: Micro OLED display paired with a beamsplitter bird path prism projects a virtual image onto the goggle lens. Designed to occupy the lower peripheral field without obstructing the primary view.
- Compute and sensors: Raspberry Pi Zero as main processor. ESP32 module for BLE wireless connectivity. IMU sensor for motion and orientation tracking. BME680 for temperature and altitude readings.
- Software: Web-based HUD renderer served locally by the Pi Zero. Connected wirelessly from a companion BLE device. No cloud dependency.
- Form factor: 3D-printed modular housing clips to the goggle frame. No adhesive or permanent modification required.
Four prototype iterations over two semesters: sensor validation, web HUD rendering, wireless BLE connectivity, and final OLED and beamsplitter integration.
Business model: technology licensing to established goggle manufacturers (Smith, Oakley, POC). US premium goggle market TAM: $2.7B to $3.6B.
Results
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Prototype iterations | 4 |
| Funding awarded | $300 (Innov8x Prototyping Fund, 2 semesters) |
| Program | Innov8x BGO |
| Target market (US) | $2.7B to $3.6B premium goggle market |
My Role
Project lead for Arc SSG. Responsible for optics design, hardware design, 3D printing, prototyping software, and external communication with program advisors and potential manufacturing partners. Team: Colin Smith, Cade Kaminski, Martin Goes, Pratiksha Satish, Li Hong Sweet-Seip.
Photos
Videos
Prototype Demo
Video Pitch