University of São Paulo Polytechnic School Innovates with Affordable Pool Edge Clock
Specialists from the Department of Mechatronic Engineering at USP and the Polimasters team, which combines swimming with engineering, have developed a low-cost poolside clock. The cost of producing the materials is around R$100, just 5% of the price of a new one on the market. It is important to note that this price does not include labor or hours worked. However, it would still be much more affordable than a standard market product.
Alexandre Kawano, a professor in the Department of Mechatronic Engineering at the Polytechnic School and one of those responsible for the project, says that the origin of the Polimasters group came from the idea of integrating people with the University. “Many people, despite belonging to the [university] community, were not very familiar with what other categories did,” he says.
The idea of a team that brings together students, faculty and alumni to solve practical issues at USP served as a bridge between people and the institution. “This project would be a way to bring people closer to the community, so that we can get to know the university better and love our university more,” adds Kawano.
The project
The poolside clock is a very important tool in swimming training, especially when several people are training together. It is unlikely that the coach will be able to keep track of all the swimmers’ time, so the clock serves to allow each swimmer to regulate their exercise. The teacher explains that two non-negotiable features in the design were that it had to be portable, with batteries, so as not to depend on power outlets in the pool, and large, so that it could be seen by everyone.
With the model ready, the goal now is to work on disseminating it. As Kawano comments, some ideas include “making a kit or a recipe available on how to make a watch like this,” so that swimming groups without a large budget can have access to the technology. They have already contacted the São Paulo Masters Swimming Association, and the president expressed interest in the project. The expectation now is that the research will yield practical benefits for swimmers in Brazil.