The Skimmer is like a small jet-ski that runs in the water and can be flown over sea, rivers and lakes, maneuvered moderately by handlebars and partly by stirring one's body weight, like you ride a motorbike. It has a maximum speed of 100 km/h and maximum flying height is 1.5 metres. Roel Verhagen its designer considers the Skimmer concept as a participant in the 2005 Braun Prize.
Implications - With so many advances made in technology every day, consumers are seeking out only the most cutting-edge innovations. Products that push the limits on what has been done before are appealing to contemporary customers. In order to attract a wider audience, companies could focus on this desire for more innovative designs.
The Skimmer
Powered Ground-Effect Vehicle Concept
Trend Themes
1. Ground-effect Vehicles - There is potential for more research and development into ground-effect vehicles using modern technology, making them a more viable mode of transportation.
2. Personalized Watercrafts - As consumers seek out unique and innovative products, personalized watercrafts like the Skimmer could become more popular.
3. Multifunctional Vehicles - Innovations in vehicles like the Skimmer that can function on both land and sea could lead to a new market for multifunctional vehicles.
Industry Implications
1. Recreational Watercraft Industry - The recreational watercraft industry could benefit from incorporating modern technology to create more unique and personalized watercrafts.
2. Transportation Industry - The development of more ground-effect vehicles could disrupt the transportation industry and lead to new modes of transportation.
3. Design Industry - Innovations in multifunctional and personalized vehicles like the Skimmer present opportunities for companies in the design industry to create more cutting-edge and innovative products.