Novel suspension

Peter Visscher typifies the old saying, "Necessity is the mother of invention". And, he adds, "Discomfort is its mother-in-law."

Visscher, who loves snowmobiling, developed a bad back a few years ago. "It was either come up with a better suspension system or stop riding snowmobiles," says the inventor, currently a fourth-year Engineering student at The University of Western Ontario.

Visscher built several prototypes of a new suspension system that makes riding a snowmobile easier on the body and much more fun. "The improved suspension design increases the performance of the snowmobile while making the vehicle easier to control, softer on the body and more fun to ride," he says.

An additional strength of the new design is that it makes the suspension adjustable for each rider's preferences, and the latest iteration even has a computer-controlled shock absorber so snowmobilers can change the suspension while they ride.

The University's Industry Liaison office has helped Visscher apply for a patent, currently pending, and is incubating the concept at Western with the help of the Ontario Centres of Excellence.