Oakley has built their brand around looking to the future. So much so, in fact, they have something called the Oakley Future Sport Project. The FSP looks to “seek out problems, find solutions, and wrap them in art,” according to Oakley.
Following in that train of thought, Oakley hired a bunch of computer guys that are really good at making things on a computer from a firm called Airbag. They’re focusing on making a board that can change shapes depending on the conditions. “Every surfboard works for very specific conditions,” said Nick Wright, a Concept Designer for Airbag. “If they’re having to go in and change boards a lot… we thought that would be one of the biggest hindrances.”
Right now, it’s still very much in the developmental stage. According to Wright, the surfboard would use a conductive aerographene, a material developed in China that has a density less than helium. As current is passed through the material, it expands and contracts, changing the shape of the board beneath the surfer’s feet as they’re surfing on it.
As ridiculous as this thing looks (not to mention the social media icons used as placeholders at 1:29 and the incredibly odd fin set up that no one ever explains), the idea is not without merit. Because like Wright says, “we don’t know what the next big thing is. We’re not at the pinnacle of anything. No matter what we do, we can make it better.”
