PATHFORGE

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  SHOW SHOES

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  SHOVEL

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  SHOW SHOES

Inspiration

Extreme winter storms strand people even after hours of shovelling. We were inspired by real student experiences of missing exams and critical commitments because walking through deep snow was impossible—even when areas were cleared.

What it does

PATHFORGE is a single winter tool that transforms from a shovel into two snowshoes in under 60 seconds, allowing users to both clear snow and travel efficiently across it without sinking.

How we built it

We designed a modular shovel with a telescoping handle and a split blade system. Using CAD, we optimized the geometry for ergonomics, quick-release mechanisms, and cold-resistant materials that work reliably with gloved hands.

Challenges we ran into

Balancing strength, weight, and transformability was difficult. Ensuring the locking mechanisms were secure yet easy to use in extreme cold required multiple design iterations.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We created a compact, sub-4 lb tool that replaces multiple winter devices, transforms tool-free, and is engineered for real-world winter conditions with clear safety factors.

What we learned

Designing for extreme environments requires thinking beyond normal use cases—materials, human factors, and simplicity matter more when conditions are harsh, and users are stressed.

What's next for PATHFORGE

Next steps include physical prototyping, user testing in real snow conditions, refining traction for icy terrain, and exploring scalable manufacturing to make PATHFORGE accessible to students and commuters.

Built With

• inventor
• solidworks