UmbraCity

It all started in the summer of 2013 when a group of friends decided to solve the basic problem of staying dry in rainy Vancouver, Canada. It has happened to all of us when we have to carry an umbrella all day for the slight chance of showers, or worse, when we are soaked wet outside without an umbrella! There must be a solution! Inspired by many sharing economy systems such as car-share or bike-share programs, the team invented and developed a fully automated rental kiosk that integrates current technologies in ties with the internet-of-things methodology.

After many months of hard work and carrying out multiple field tests and focus group studies, the team is excited to launch this product and service for the first time at the University of British Columbia, in partnership with the UBC Alma Mater Society (AMS).