Magnetic force as an ascent aid: Start-up tests innovative ski touring binding in Sports Technology labs

A magnet as an ascent aid for ski tourers – Martin Edelsbrunner founded his own start-up with this idea. With his company Edelworks, the graduate of the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programme in Sports Equipment Technology (now: Bachelor Human Factors & Sports Engineering and Master Sports Technology respectively) at the FH Technikum Wien has developed and is marketing a retrofit system for ski touring bindings. The principle behind it: Two repulsive magnets, which are installed in the binding and the ski boot, support ski tourers during the ascent, help to save energy, provide more comfort and at the same time cushion the impact. Edelsbrunner has filed a patent for the new system for protection and further marketing.

To collect data on how the system works, Martin Edelsbrunner recently tested his product in the Sports Technology labs at the Technikum. Supported by Markus Eckelt, head of the Sports Engineering, Biomechanics & Ergonomics competence field, students of the Sports Technology Master’s programme carried out a series of tests with Edelsbrunner as a test subject using a specially constructed ramp. The pressure distribution on the sole of the foot was measured during the ascent in order to collect data on the relief in the heel area. Bachelor students in the fourth semester are also currently investigating the movements of the ski boot and lower leg when using the magnetic binding as part of a project with video analyses.

Edelsbrunner, who is himself a passionate ski tourer, came up with the idea for the system during his studies at the University of Applied Sciences. “In principle, the use of magnets turns a passive binding into an active climbing aid,” explains the young entrepreneur. Edelsbrunner relies on particularly strong, so-called neodymium magnets with a holding force of about 25 to 30 kg. The repulsive forces not only cushion the step and make the climb easier; “a positive side effect is also that you no longer slip out of your shoe so easily, which is a common problem and can lead to blisters on your feet,” Edelsbrunner explains.

The data collected at the FHTW will help to further optimise and refine the system technically. At present, the “HIGHbrid” bindings are still available as a retrofit system. In the long term, according to Edelsbrunner’s plan, the magnetic binding should also be available integrated into finished binding systems in cooperation with well-known manufacturers.