E-foil Controller

For my bachelor's thesis work, One other student and I got the task of designing a wireless controller for an electric foiling surfboard in collaboration with ESSIQ Väst. The surfboard was to be designed by another group of students simultaneously. The controller had to be safe and easy to use in the extreme environment of riding an e-foil out in the open water.

Multiple user studies were conducted to understand the specifications needed for such a product. This was followed up by a long design process of testing different shapes and methods of controlling the speed of the surfboard. A prototype of the final product was constructed with the help of 3D printing and pre-built electronics.

Project type: Master’s thesis project

Project duration: 5 months

Skills: User research, Concept ideation, CAD, Visualization

Programs: Figma, Blender, Adobe Premiere Pro

The Final Prototype - Showcase Video

Here is a presentation video that I filmed and edited for the final project presentation.

The Design Process

From ideation to final prototype

Sketches

The controller as a product was divided up into multiple smaller focus areas such as battery indication, grip and charging etc. Each area was then ideated and an array of solutions were created. Counting from the top my sketches are number 2,4,6,7 and 8.

Prototypes

Rapid prototyping was used as a method for developing nine concepts containing the solutions for the different focus areas sketches in the previous step. These prototypes could then be used for user testing of both physical ergonomics and different solutions for controlling the speed of the surfboard.

Construction of the Final Prototype

When the overall design was decided upon, a final prototype was developed through an iterative process involving 3D printing and evaluation.

First iteration of the final prototype.

Second iteration of the final prototype, now with a more ergonomic shape.

A 3D printed prototype of the final controller.

Speed is regulated with a scroll wheel for the thumb.

A rendered image of the controller on it's wireless charging stand.

An early prototype of the body of the controller with electronic components.

The screen and digital interface of the controller.

Development of the digital interface by my student partner .

The rubber flap on the back of the controller enables easier swimming and moving around on the surfboard without losing the controller.

The finished product rendered in blender to show of the different color options white and dark grey.