The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Enterprising young skier cashes in on modern phenomenon
An enterprising young Aberdonian aims to cash in on the modern-day phenomenon of “selfie” photographs after inventing a device which can make the job easier.
Andrew Davidson, 24, came up with the idea during a ski-ing trip to France and is now seeking £25,000 in Kickstarter crowdfunding to help him take it further.
“PolePod was devised as an alternative to a selfie stick,” he said, adding: “I wanted to film myself skiing and didn’t see the point in carrying a flimsy extendable pole when I already had two sturdy ones in my hands.”
His solution was to attach a camera to the end of one of his ski poles using duck tape – and so the concept behind the sturdier, trademarked PolePod device was born.
The tiny, versatile camera mount can be fitted to a ski pole, walking stick or even a branch to convert it instantly into an alternative “selfie” stick.
Mr Davidson said: “It can be fitted to your ski or walking pole and left there for when you need it without restricting normal use. It can also be used on a less permanent basis – for example, attaching it to a branch or gate when out and about.”
While the idea itself is not unique, PolePod’s inventor has registered the device’s design and shape to stop others copying it.
A global trend for people taking photographs of themselves has spawned a new market in accessories, and Mr Davidson is hoping he has hit on a sure-fire winner.
The Robert Gordon University product design graduate is no stranger to invention, having already scooped a prestigious innovation award for his first product, Go~Iso, which can be fitted to drink containers to instantly convert water into an isotonic thirst quencher. He recently set up his own business, AS DZine, at Stirling University Innovation Park.
Mr Davidson, who hails from Cove, Aberdeen, said he had “quite a few” other ideas in the pipeline and was working on a couple of products for external companies, adding: “I am excited for what the future holds”.
Looming large on the horizon is the Eurobike trade show in Germany, where he hopes to attract support for Go~Iso.
He will also be speaking about his entrepreneurial journey at an event in Aberdeen on September 14, as part of the city’s TechFest programme, and will be exhibiting PolePod at a winter sports show at Battersea in London in October.
As well as winning the Sports Innovation Challenge at the Sports Business Innovation Awards earlier this year with Go~Iso, he was also part of the second intake of Elevator UK’s Accelerator programme. The Accelerator scheme offers a chance to test, research, develop, launch and refine a product or business to become pitch and investor ready, while getting support from the Scottish Institute of Enterprise.