MGI, a market leading developer of motorised golf-bag buggies and GPS systems commissioned CobaltNiche to assist in developing a ‘world first’ motorised golf buggy with fully integrated GPS capabilities.
MGI specialises in motorised golf-bag buggies with sophisticated Gyroscopic navigation systems to compensate for the uneven terrain encountered on the golf course, enabling the buggies to be accurately controlled with a handheld remote.
Handheld GPS units are also becoming popular on the course, providing players with exact distances to holes and hazards and allowing accurate recording of shots played. MGI saw the opportunity to provide a unique ‘total product solution’ by integrating these two products. This idea created the core development challenge; How to create a buggy interface that maintains the useability of a handheld unit, while being robust and ‘weatherproof’ enough to withstand hours in the searing heat or pouring rain?
Minimising overall size of the interface was a key aim from the outset. Functionally this was achieved by removing the existing internal metal frame and integrating the support structure into the plastic enclosure. A series of design refinements and reviews utilising FEA analysis ensured overall strength and rigidity benchmarks were achieved. Visually, internal components were configured to optimise GPS function and user ergonomics, and then a bold, tightly-skinned aesthetic was applied to minimise size and create a sports-oriented look.
The colour display is protected by a sealed lens preventing moisture and dust ingress, and controls are silicone rubber for durability. A custom ‘self-sealing’ system was developed to individually seal each button from water ingress, even in extended periods of torrential rain. Ergonomic ‘soft grip’ handles and an integrated remote holster were also developed to improve buggy usability. Communication with the buggy is via a wireless link with the slimline remote, which is also a data transfer device for uploading maps and downloading game data to a PC.
Development occurred in a highly compressed period in order to meet initial release deadlines. This required CobaltNiche to work closely with MGI’s development team and electronics specialist, as enclosure, electronics and software were developed concurrently. The resulting ‘world first’ product has been met with industry acclaim, and is set to reinforce MGI’s position as a market leader for the foreseeable future.
For more info visit MGI’s website.