TRAILMATE

What it does

Hikers, particularly older adults and those carrying heavy loads, often experience fatigue during long walks. TRAILMATE introduces a lightweight hiking stick that converts into a portable chair, providing instant rest without adding significant weight.

Your inspiration

Hikers in Australia often struggle to find comfortable and hygienic resting spots during their journeys. Carrying traditional chairs is impractical, leading many to sit on the ground, rocks, or fallen trees—options that are usually uncomfortable and unsanitary. This creates a clear need for a lightweight, portable, and ergonomic seating solution that does not add significant weight. Inspired by the One Shot (MGX by Materialise) opening system, we adapted its elegant mechanism for quick, smooth deployment and retraction. Our design converts a hiking stick into a compact, stable chair, offering hikers a convenient, space-saving way to rest.

How it works

The device consists of three main parts: a screw-on handle, a hiking stick, and a foldable chair. Two rotating joints at the top and middle of the hiking stick connect to the chair, allowing rotational and vertical movement. The final design includes ten PETG 3D-printed legs, with a telescopic hiking stick from Decathlon as the main support. Joints are machined from 6 mm aluminum rods. The structure uses ten 16 mm rods for the top core, ten 22 mm rods for the sliding core, twenty ball bearings, and ten M4x30 machine screws. Legs are connected using 6x10x3 mm bearings, carbon fibre rods, and M4 hardware. Once deployed, the handle can be detached. The mechanism employs linkages and pivots to convert downward force into rotational motion, causing the legs to spiral outward and form a seat. While the center supports most of the weight, the legs are designed to sustain up to 80 kg, accounting for shifts in posture and edge-sitting during use.

Design process

Our initial design concept focused on assisting the elderly with their daily commutes. However, upon further market research, we recognized that this segment was already well-served by numerous existing products. As a result, we chose to retain the core idea but pivot our target audience to cater to hikers, trekkers, and campers. Originally envisioned as a walking stick integrated with a chair, the concept evolved into a hiking stick with a built-in seating function. While a walking stick primarily aids mobility on flat, paved surfaces, hiking demands different ergonomic and structural considerations. Consequently, we transitioned from a traditional walking stick to a more robust and versatile hiking stick. We explored two potential design solutions. The first concept draws inspiration from the innovative SeatStix system, which utilizes two hiking poles that interlock to form a stable, two-legged seat, with the user’s legs serving as the third point of support—effectively creating a tripod structure. The second concept is based on a spiral folding chair. Ultimately, we selected the spiral folding chair design due to its superior visual appeal and the added advantage of allowing the user to sit comfortably without relying on their legs for additional support.

How it is different

A key aspect that sets TRAILMATE apart from existing hiking sticks is its strong emphasis on ergonomics and hygiene—two often overlooked factors. Ergonomically, TRAILMATE supports the body in a way that minimizes strain, especially during long hikes when users are most vulnerable to fatigue. The integrated chair offers a stable, comfortable seating position that aligns with natural posture, reducing stress on joints. The handle and grip are shaped for prolonged use, enhancing comfort and reducing wrist fatigue. TRAILMATE is especially suitable for older adults, children, or those prone to muscle fatigue. On the hygiene front, it provides a clean, elevated seating surface—avoiding dirt, moisture, or pests often found on the ground. This enhances user comfort and peace of mind. By prioritizing these elements, TRAILMATE offers not just functionality, but a thoughtful, health-focused companion for safer, more enjoyable hikes.

Future plans

Our forthcoming development efforts will focus on refining the design to produce a lighter and more efficient iteration. A key objective is to enhance the user experience by simplifying the deployment mechanism, as the current prototype requires an overly complex sequence of actions. We also intend to reinforce the pivot points, which demonstrated structural weaknesses during testing, and to replace existing materials with carbon fiber to improve strength and reduce overall weight. In the long term, we aim to commercialize the product by establishing operations in Australia, with planned expansion into international markets, including Japan.

Awards

The team was honored with first place in the lifestyle category at the 2025 NTU Engineering Innovation and Design (EID) Competition, a prestigious event recognizing outstanding innovation and design excellence among engineering students.