Neo | Devpost

3D Printed
Problem Statement
Target Audience
Decision Criteria
Our Multipurpose Features
Material 1
Material 2

The Spark

How NEO Began

As Canadian students, winter isn’t just inconvenient, it’s a barrier. Every year, we walk through deep snow, icy sidewalks, and whiteout conditions just to make it to class. Exams rarely get canceled, sidewalks aren’t always cleared, and existing tools are designed for cars or homeowners, not students on foot. After imagining what it feels like to wake up to 5 feet of snow and still be expected to write an exam, we realized:

There is no product made specifically for student winter mobility.

This is what created NEO

Students deserve a tool that supports them, not slows them down, one that makes winter travel safer, faster, and less exhausting.

Powered for Winter

What Does NEO Do?

NEO is a 3-in-1 winter mobility device.

It functions as:

A stability and hiking stick for icy terrain
A foldable, roll-up shovel for clearing a walking path
A compact, portable tool that fits into student life

By combining balance, movement, and snow-clearing into one design, NEO removes the need to carry multiple tools and reduces both physical effort and travel time.

Design, Model, Test, Repeat

How We Built NEO

We began with hand sketches and CAD models, exploring folding mechanisms, telescopic shafts, and locking joints.

Our biggest focus areas were:
Structural strength
Weight reduction
Ergonomic grip design
Compact storage

We selected stainless steel for the shaft and shovel due to its strength and durability, and wood for the handle to provide comfort and insulation in cold conditions.

Prototypes were iterated through digital modeling and physical reasoning to ensure the product could withstand dense snow and repeated use.

The Snowstorm

Challenges We Faced

Our main challenge was balancing durability with portability

A stronger material often means more weight, and a lighter product often sacrifices strength. Finding this balance required multiple redesigns of the folding joints, blade thickness, and shaft segmentation. We also faced limitations in designing a shovel that could both roll and remain rigid under load, which pushed us to think creatively about locking geometry and material behavior.