A trekking pole with a granular jamming end effector that conforms and locks to any terrain — roots, rocks, mud — actuated automatically with every step.
Standard trekking poles make rigid contact with the ground. On uneven terrain — roots, wet rock, loose gravel — they skid, rotate, and fail to grip, leaving users at risk.
TerraLock uses a granular jamming membrane at the tip. Applied pressure triggers a vacuum pump, transforming the soft membrane into a rigid, terrain-conforming contact surface.
TerraLock is designed for anyone who relies on a trekking pole for stability — from older hikers and those with mobility challenges to technical trail runners navigating unpredictable terrain.
Hiking wheelchairs can improve trail access, but often require another person for support on rough terrain. Traditional trekking poles are independent and lightweight, but rigid tips can slip on rocks, roots, and loose gravel. Other adaptive feet conform to the ground, but they lack TerraLock’s flexible transition between soft terrain-matching contact and rigid locked stability.
A pressure sensor detects ground contact load and signals the actuation circuit.
A compact onboard vacuum pump evacuates air from the granular membrane at the tip.
The membrane transitions from compliant to rigid, locking to the exact surface geometry beneath it.
Pole lifts → pressure equalizes → membrane softens → system resets for the next step.
As a team of avid hikers, we noticed a recurring problem on the trail: standard trekking poles don't give users enough control over how firmly the tip grips the ground. For hikers who rely on that stability — navigating loose gravel, steep descents, or uneven terrain — the difference between a locked and unlocked pole can be the difference between confidence and a fall. We wanted to build something that put that control in the hiker's hands.
We explored a wide range of ideas before landing on a solution. Hiking-adapted shoes and exoskeletons were early candidates — ambitious concepts that addressed mobility on the trail but came with significant barriers in cost, complexity, and buildability. We kept coming back to a simpler question: what if we improved the tool hikers already use? Granular jamming stood out as the most practical path forward.
Our first prototype gave us a clear view of how to approach future goals. Without a defined membrane, we repurposed an ice pack holder filled with coffee grounds to test the core concept without custom parts. Actuation was entirely manual, but even in these first stages, the jamming worked — the grounds locked under pressure, the grip held, and we had enough user data to start refining.
With the core concept validated, we moved into automating the actuation. We integrated an Arduino Uno as the central microcontroller, paired with an L298N motor driver to control the vacuum pump. A force-sensitive resistor at the tip detects ground contact, triggering the pump to engage the granular jamming membrane on impact and release on liftoff — all without any manual input from the user. Wiring the sensor, driver, and pump into a compact, pole-mounted assembly was a significant undertaking. Early work through January and February focused on getting each component communicating reliably. By the end of April, we had achieved a fully completed and reliable automated actuation cycle — the pole detecting contact, jamming on impact, and releasing cleanly on liftoff — fully integrated into the physical prototype.
We went through several membrane design iterations. Throughout February, we built an automatic spincaster to more easily produce custom molds for our pole. Part of this process involved testing different membrane materials — urethane, latex, and polyurethane.
The membrane was pressed against sharp objects to check whether the soft contact surface could survive trail hazards without tearing or leaking.
The coupler was simulated under hiking loads to locate stress concentrations and confirm the printed structure could handle off-axis forces.
The coupler assembly was loaded up to 50 lb to test whether the connection between the pole and TerraLock tip stayed secure under real force.
Ben is a senior in mechanical engineering interested in electronics integration. He led the sensor wiring, motor driver setup, and automated actuation logic processes. blc2145@columbia.edu
Liam is a graduating senior in mechanical engineering with a specific interest in robotics. Outside of the lab, he enjoys reading history and playing basketball. lsc2185@columbia.edu
Berzelai is a mechanical engineer focused on applied thermofluids — power generation, aircraft engines, and industrial processes. He likes to walk NYC parks and play engineering-adjacent video games. bep2127@columbia.edu
Noah is a mechanical engineer and designer from Boston with interests in robotics and human-centered design. He backpacks, rock climbs, and stays outdoors whenever possible. nst2121@columbia.edu
Max is a mechanical engineering student from New York City with a passion for building things that move, actuate, and solve real world problems. His work spans precision manufacturing, medical devices, product design, and robotics. He also loves playing basketball, watching the NBA, and reading sci-fi books. zz3182@columbia.edu