Stone skipping is a timeless outdoor activity, but enthusiasts currently lack tools to objectively measure performance or prevent lost stones. A tech-enhanced skipping stone could solve these problems by tracking skips digitally and optionally returning to the thrower.

How It Works

The basic version would function as a durable, waterproof stone containing motion sensors (accelerometer/gyroscope) to detect skips when the stone bounces on water. These sensors would connect via Bluetooth to a smartphone app that records and displays:

• Number of skips per throw
• Throw velocity and spin rate
• Historical performance trends

An advanced model might incorporate small retractable propellers that activate when the stone stops moving, allowing it to return like a mini-drone.

Why It Matters

This concept addresses three key frustrations:

1. Eliminates disputes in casual competitions about skip counts
2. Saves time retrieving stones from lakes and rivers
3. Enables skill progression tracking for serious enthusiasts

Potential users range from families at the beach to participants in organized stone skipping tournaments that currently rely on human judges.

Implementation Considerations

One way to test the concept would be to first develop a basic sensor version using existing components from fitness trackers, protected in waterproof casing. This MVP could validate whether skippers actually want quantifiable data before investing in more complex features.

For the retrieval functionality, components from micro-drones could potentially be adapted, though this would require extensive testing to ensure aerodynamic performance isn't compromised.

This concept bridges simple outdoor fun with modern tech conveniences, potentially creating an entirely new category of smart sporting goods.