CaddyTrek: The robotic golf 'cartmobile'

Had enough of pushing your golf cart by yourself, the cost of caddy straining your already huge golf budget. Don’t fret over it. Chunghsin Lee has a one stop solution for all your problems. A golfing enthusiast himself, the 62 year old likes to walk all the 36 holes himself. But carrying the bag has always been a problem for him. So, he decided to come up with a robotic golf cart which will follow the golfer around. Named the CaddyTrek, it will be a huge bonus for the pleasure playing golfer. So, what exactly it is, read on.

CaddyTrek

What’s it about?

Chief Executive and Chief Designer at Wakefield based FTR systems Inc., he personally supervised the making of his dream cart. The aim is to put the golfer at ease, and do away the concept of caddy. In this technology driven world, when there is a race to make everything automated, it is a step in the right direction. Why not be tech savvy and enjoy being followed by your cart? Starting and stopping when you start or stop. The electronic caddy was unveiled at the PGA expo in Las Vegas. Although there is an Australian firm who makes self propelled carts, but their size is huge. And for Chungh, decreasing the size was very important. Their aim was to build a cart that is the size of the airline-carry-on-luggage. Although it is slightly larger, you can easily fit it inside the trunk and can surely check it inside the airplane.

Methodology:

The device will transform your normal everyday belt into a utility belt right from the Batman movies. Remember how Batman called his Batmobile by pushing a button on his belt, Chungh must have been really inspired from there, because that’s where he has put it. Now, just like Batman you can call your ‘cartmobile’ by pushing a button on your belt. Your belt will have a sensor, and the cart will follow you around at walking pace. It will stop when you stop, and start when you start. And when you want to take out a club, you can pull the cart closer with a remote control. It is manufactured in Shanghai, and prototypes have been tested in China and San Francisco.

Implications:

For people who like to walk the course but are not comfortable carrying the heavy bags, it is a great boon for them. It will enable golfers to forget about the carts and concentrate solely on their games. And the older golf loving generation will love it.

Verdict:

It is surely a great thing for an enthusiast. Although it has to be seen how it handles bunkers and water spots, but it surely is an innovation for the tech savvy, and I would certainly love the feeling of being followed by my own pet cart. It will surely make my life easier. And for that child inside you, I’m sure you would love to feel like Batman for a moment. And using your ‘utility belt’, call your ‘cartmobile’.

Via: Boston