AirBuddy Oppervlak Verskaf Duik Uitrusting by Jan Kadlec

AirBuddy Oppervlak Verskaf Duik Uitrusting by Jan Kadlec is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 A' Design Award in Brons in Sportgoedere, Fiksheid en Ontspanningstoerusting Ontwerp Competition Category.

BronsSportgoedere· 2021

AirBuddy Oppervlak Verskaf Duik Uitrusting

by Jan Kadlec

Client: AirBuddy, OXY Pty Ltd

A' Design Award in Brons Winner in Sportgoedere Category

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Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #123807

Verken Meer View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About AirBuddy Oppervlak Verskaf Duik Uitrusting

Van 'n afstand af lyk AirBuddy soos 'n miniatuur opblaasboot - 'n mariene motief wat emosionele verbintenis skep met die hoofkliëntsegment, die bootvaarders. Met die visie om die kleinste, ligste en kragtigste ontspannings-SSBA-eenheid te skep, is die ontwerp funksioneel en respekteer natuurlik die wette van fisika. Daarom gebruik die lugreservoir (vlotter) toroïdale vorm, die tweede beste vorm (naas bol) om die hoepel en longitudinale spanning wat deur die lugdruk in sy wande geskep word, te versprei. AirBuddy se ontwerp dra gemak van gebruik oor, maar tog robuustheid en tegnologiese uitnemendheid.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in Brons

AirBuddy Oppervlak Verskaf Duik Uitrusting is 'n wenner van die A' Design Award in Brons, 'n hoogs prestigieuse erkenning wat toegeken word aan uitstaande ontwerpe wat gekenmerk word deur kreatiwiteit, vindingrykheid en skerpsinnigheid. Wenners in Brons is ruimskoots vaardige en opvallend kreatiewe artefakte wat die groot ervaring, verbeelding en vindingrykheid van hul ontwerpers bevestig. Daar word verwag dat AirBuddy Oppervlak Verskaf Duik Uitrusting 'n hoog aangeskrewe, bewonderde en gekoesterde voorwerp is wat merkwaardig professioneel en innoverend is. Hierdie ontwerp wat die A' Design Award in Brons gewen het, inkorporeer die beste praktyke in kuns, wetenskap, ontwerp en tegnologie en is uitstekend vanweë sy aandag aan detail. AirBuddy Oppervlak Verskaf Duik Uitrusting bevredig behoeftes pragtig, raak aan begeertes, bekoor gevoelens en spreek die nuuskierigheid aan.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: AirBuddy bridges the gap between snorkelling and Scuba diving. The battery-powered floating dive compressor can be recharged from a socket, i.e. does not require any air refills, rentals, complicated logistics or bulky gear. It enables diving for almost an hour to one diver (up to 12m deep) or two divers (up to 6m deep) and weighs about 50-60 percent less than other dive gear on the market. The battery recharge costs only about 0.1 dollar (vs. 20 dollar for single air tank hire).
Dimensions & Packaging: 533 x 397 x 540 mm
(300mm excl. the dive flag)
Tags: Surface Supplied Diving Gear, SSBA, Hookah, Innovative Dive Gear, Self-guided Diving, Coral Reef Diving, Lobstering, Hull Cleaning, Fouled Prop Untanglement, Underwater Maintenance, Underwater Treasure Hunting, Underwater Photography
Production Technology: Designed with portability and stowability in mind, AirBuddy became the world's smallest and lightest recreational SSBA, yet significantly exceeds the performance and safety of other, larger, units with its 75lpm air flow, 38 psi pressure and 55 plus 10 min runtime. It features large 16l emergency air reservoir, water-cooled compressor, low battery underwater notification system, secure detachable magnetic switch, capsize protection, etc. - unique features previously not found in other SSBA units.
Design Challenge: The combination of size, weight, functional features, and aesthetic expectations from the customers, coupled with the safety aspects and regulations were impossible to achieve with the use of standard materials and conventional production technologies. We worked closely with the STU University of Technology and several expert plasticians and moulders to develop specialised mold and custom blend plastic resin to achieve strict tolerances and correct stress distribution as observed in the FEA models.
Research: AirBuddy is a result of 4 years of research and development, 10 generations of working prototypes and hundreds of modifications and test scenarios. We studied various aspects of diving physics and human anatomy that we then turned into functional, technical and safety requirements that formed the base for AirBuddy design. Our team of divers and engineers performed hundreds of bench tests and test dives in ocean to develop the key features, such as the emergency air reserve, capsize protection, underwater notification system, secure detachable switch, position control, etc.
Inspiration: Unlike many other sports, Scuba diving is not a grab-and-go activity. It requires preparation and logistics. Renting (or filling) air tanks at a dive centre takes time and costs money. The gear is heavy and bulky. It becomes a logistical nightmare when there is a significant distance to the dive centre, outside of opening hours, when on a boat, etc. We set out to design a small, lightweight, and user-friendly dive gear that provides independence of the infrastructure and is travel-friendly.
Project Duration: Our team of passionate divers, mechanical engineers and experienced entrepreneurs is based in Sydney, Australia. AirBuddy evolved from a passion project that started in 2014 and since then made splash winning several business competitions, receiving multiple grants, attracting the attention of global media and joining the ranks of top 1 percent of crowdfunding campaigns.
Operation Flow: AirBuddy is a small, portable surface supplied dive gear (hookah) for recreational, self-guided shallow water diving. AirBuddy provides a lightweight, compact and hassle-free alternative to air tanks. It runs off a rechargeable, battery-powered air compressor that provides fresh air from the surface for 55 min (plus reserve) at a max depth of up to 12 m (40 ft). Just recharge the battery and dive. No air tanks or bulky gear! AirBuddy is a popular choice for exploring reefs, hull cleaning, underwater boat maintenance, lobster diving or treasure hunting.