BaselineTech
A rideable snowboard simulator.
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Overview
Overview
BaselineTech is a multi-axis mechanical platform that reproduces pitch, roll, and yaw while allowing riders to use their own snowboard in a controlled training environment.
System Architecture
The simulator combines a scissor-lift pitch mechanism, turntable yaw axis, spring-driven roll system, force sensing, and rider safety hardware into one integrated platform designed around realistic motion and physical feedback.
My Role
I led development of the roll-axis subsystem and contributed to the snowboard mounting and sensing architecture, focusing on spring response, motion limits, load-cell integration, adjustable clamping, safety, and rider confidence.
Technical Work and Learnings
Replicating Snowboard Roll Dynamics Challenge: Recreate the toe-to-heel roll motion of a snowboard while keeping the platform controlled and predictable for the rider. Solution: Developed a shaft-and-bearing roll mechanism using custom springs to generate restoring force and adjustable hard stops to constrain the platform to realistic carving angles. Learning: Mechanical feel comes from more than range of motion. Spring behavior, axis placement, and physical stops determine how naturally a mechanism communicates motion back to the user. Force-Sensing Integration Challenge: Measure how riders distribute force across the board without allowing the sensing hardware to interfere with the simulator’s mechanical motion. Solution: Integrated load-cell contact points directly into the mounting platform, designing the mechanical interfaces around repeatable load transfer between the snowboard and sensors. Learning: A sensor is only as accurate as its mechanical load path. Contact geometry, constraint, and mounting conditions directly affect whether measured forces represent what the user is actually doing. Adjustable Board Clamping Challenge: Secure different user-owned snowboards without damaging them or creating preload that could distort force measurements. Solution: Contributed to adjustable, non-compressive clamps with magnetic guidance to simplify alignment and secure the board while minimizing unwanted forces through the sensing system. Learning: Fixtures can become part of the measurement system. Retention force, contact location, and alignment all have to be considered when a mounting interface sits in the same load path as instrumentation. Rider Safety + System Integration Challenge: Create large, multi-axis motion while still making the simulator approachable and secure enough for a rider to use confidently. Solution: Integrated the roll subsystem with the broader pitch and yaw architecture while incorporating hard stops, a safety harness, handlebars/stability bar, and secure board retention. Learning: Human interaction changes the engineering requirements. Once a person becomes part of the mechanism, motion limits, stability, access, failure modes, and perceived safety become core design inputs rather than secondary features.
