{"id":46594,"date":"2023-09-11T12:36:49","date_gmt":"2023-09-11T12:36:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/?p=46594"},"modified":"2023-10-10T10:19:55","modified_gmt":"2023-10-10T10:19:55","slug":"tobu-or-not-tobu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/tobu-or-not-tobu\/","title":{"rendered":"Tobu or not Tobu"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

That is the Question\u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A new logbook and tracking App, Tobu, is sweeping across the skydiving community. We tracked down company owner and software developer Diego Rincon, to find out what all the fuss is about\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Diego, thank you for your time. Can you tell us, in a nutshell, what Tobu does for skydivers? <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Diego Rincon<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tobu accomplishes two main objectives; logbook management and skills progression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a logbook, Tobu allows skydivers to record each skydive, to the standards set by the USPA. Jumpers can log data accurately such as exit and deployment altitude, freefall time and more. You can also add personal notes, get your jumps signed and easily enter gear details and jump type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For skills progression we are constantly working on providing invaluable insights and data-driven feedback to help skydivers progress safely. With Tobu you have access to performance analysis that tells you your speed, glide ratio, and altitude throughout your entire jump. It allows you to learn retrospectively and debrief your skydive with coaches and peers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How, when and why did the idea come about? <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I wanted a way to know exactly how I was setting up my landing pattern, because my landing accuracy was not improving. I wanted to know what changes in position could make my tracking more efficient or steeper. I was determined to make informed decisions based on concrete data rather than relying on vague recollections of my jumps. The tools available at that time providing data and performance analysis were primarily physical devices. This posed two significant challenges; high costs and difficulty to roll out updates and fix bugs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I decided to use mobile phones and create a cost-effective, user-friendly solution accessible to every skydiver. I wrote the first line of code in November 2021 and that same day I was dropping my phone from the ceiling to the couch to understand how the phone\u2019s sensors responded to the dynamics of freefall and acceleration. In a few months I had a fully functional prototype and on April 4th, 2022 Tobu recorded its first jump during a big-way camp at Taupo Tandem Skydiving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is your background, why did you feel qualified to write this?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

With a background in Electronics Engineering and more than 10 years of software development experience, I have the knowledge to undertake a project like this one. I have collaborated with forward-thinking companies that prioritise the creation of exceptional user experiences. This experience has influenced Tobu\u2019s design philosophy, emphasising minimalism and user-centricity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are committed to ensuring that Tobu never becomes an additional distraction. That\u2019s why we crafted Tobu to be an unobtrusive companion, minimising clutter and interactions to ensure that your focus remains on your skydive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skydiving is both a passion and a pursuit of mine. While I\u2019m relatively new to the sport with just over 300 jumps, we\u2019ve gathered feedback from tandem masters, AFF instructors, skydiving schools and federations to ensure that Tobu aligns with logging requirements and delivers valuable information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What did it take to make the idea a reality? <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Bringing our vision to life required a multifaceted approach. Our initial phase involved my partner and I testing Tobu ourselves, which was limited to belly and head up jumps with the occasional angle and wingsuit jumps. At this stage most of the development efforts were dedicated to refining the foundations of Tobu\u2019s data processing algorithms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In September 2022 we embarked on our beta testing program, in which numerous skydivers participated. This collaborative effort allowed us to have data collected across several skydives that we could use to fine-tune and optimise Tobu\u2019s capabilities. This phase lasted five months, during which we analysed every facet of the app\u2019s performance. We launched in February 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did it feel to get feedback from your first users? <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It was incredible. The first people I received feedback from were the skydivers who joined the beta testing program. Although they were excited to use Tobu, they saw it go from just an idea to a reality. Their feedback and suggestions have been invaluable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the moment I’ll never forget is when I was getting ready for a load wearing a Tobu-branded jersey, and one skydiver approached us and asked if we were the people behind Tobu. When we said yes, he said how much he loved it and used it all the time. That was the moment I knew we were making a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n