Marcus Cope

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University of Nottingham > Engineering > Departments > Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering > PDM Exhibitions > 2024 > MEng students > Marcus Cope

The DriveSolo Mark 1 is a single rider golf vehicle designed to enhance and expedite the golf experience.

I am a passionate and innovative product designer with a keen interest in creating user-centred solutions that blend functionality with aesthetic appeal. My journey into product design began with a fascination for how everyday objects are made and a desire to improve the user experience through thoughtful design. This led me to pursue a degree in Product Design, where I honed my skills in conceptualizing ideas, CAD modelling, and rendering.

Throughout my studies, I found myself particularly drawn to the early stages of the design process. I enjoy brainstorming and generating ideas, turning abstract concepts into tangible designs. CAD modelling has been an exciting part of my work, allowing me to visualize and refine my ideas with precision. Rendering, too, has been a significant interest, as it brings designs to life, showcasing their potential and functionality in a visually compelling way.

I am especially interested in how design can address real-world problems and enhance experiences I am passionate about. My recent project, DriveSolo, is a testament to this passion as a keen sportsman (mainly cricket, golf, and baseball). It focuses on creating a single rider golf vehicle to make golf more accessible and enjoyable, particularly for younger players.

Looking ahead, I aspire to build a career where I can continue to innovate and contribute to meaningful projects. I am seeking opportunities in product design and development, where I can leverage my skills in ideation, CAD, and rendering to create impactful products. My goal is to work with a dynamic team that values creativity and user-centred design, ultimately making a positive difference in people's lives through thoughtful and well-crafted products.

Marcus Cope, MEng Product Design and Manufacture

Digital portfolio

DriveSolo

Golf has seen a resurgence in the last few years with more young adults taking up the sport, influenced by content creators. However, retaining these new players is crucial for golf courses and the sport itself. My project, DriveSolo, aims to address this by solving two main problems in golf: retaining younger players and the game's historic issue of pace of play.

Golf has traditionally been viewed as a sport for seniors due to its lack of excitement and the significant time commitment required. A round of 18 holes can take over four hours, which deters many from playing regularly. The Covid pandemic introduced a solution: the single rider golf vehicle, which not only makes navigating the course more engaging but also speeds up play significantly.

The DriveSolo Mark 1 is a single rider golf vehicle designed to enhance and expedite the golf experience. Players can rent the DriveSolo from their local course, easily load their golf bag, and start playing. The vehicle is designed for simple entry and exit, maintaining a level hip point for ease of use. A lot of research shows that the easiest vehicles to enter are where the hip point remains as level as possible as one enters the vehicle. It also features an adjustable seat mechanism, a simple golf bag strap and clip, and other enhancements to improve the user experience.

By making golf more accessible and reducing the time required for a round, DriveSolo aims to retain younger players and rejuvenate the sport.