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The Making of ACON X Part 1: Listening & Learning Before Launch
18 Mins Read
October 24, 2024
Recently, we unveiled Acon X, the world’s most intelligent trampoline. Its list of new, patent-pending features is a showcase of the innovation that's continually ongoing at here at Acon. New ways to customize your bounce from height adjustment to spring setups. A rigid frame that won't flex. Even a set of interchangeable enclosure panels to family-friendly play spaces. It all adds up to the most imaginative trampoline you'll ever experience.
Today, the Acon X ushers in a new era of trampolines, setting the bar for outdoor excitement. However, the story of this innovation actually begins a long time ago, when we set out to shift the paradigm of what a trampoline could be. Read on to discover how through years of research and design we finally arrived on our final market-ready model. Then, in part 2 of our series you can learn “What it Takes to Launch the Acon X”. We hope you enjoy reading about the journey of the Acon X as much as we enjoyed creating it.
A History of Excellence
Over 27 years ago, Acon was founded with a simple idea: design and build the world’s best trampoline. One which could stand the test of time, lasting families for years, with premium parts, the durability to stand up to tough outdoor environments and continue to provide an unparalleled jumping experience.
The passion and dedication that started our company continues to drive our team today. We put the best of our thinking into every new trampoline we make, never settling, and never looking ahead on how to improve our next. Through research, design and development, we aim to find that perfect mix of art + science. We use our top quality materials in a new innovative way, new modelling, and new modes of engineering ensure we keep pushing the boundaries of bounce.
This approach makes us proud to say that our engineering leads to the world’s most premium trampolines.
A Real-World Test of Performance
To truly understand what sets Acon trampolines apart, we put them to the test against other top contenders on the market. Watch our ultimate trampoline review, where we examine bounce quality, durability, and performance across different price points. Discover why Acon remains the leader in trampoline excellence.
Collaboration is in Our DNA
In the bustling world of product development, one crucial element often sets the stage for success: listening to the community. At Acon, we believe that the perfect trampoline isn't just a creation of engineering prowess; it's a collaborative endeavor that involves understanding the needs, desires, and concerns of those who will ultimately use our products. As we embarked on the journey to create the Acon X trampoline, we knew that community feedback would be at the heart of our endeavor.
Our approach at Acon – a commitment to listening, learning, and evolving with our community. We listen to feedback from everyone! No matter how old or young you are. Whether you're a veteran jumper or a novice - we get ideas from all age groups and all demographics. (We believe the best ideas come from kids actually, they have very vivid imagination!)
Starting from Scratch
With the Acon X, our Research and Development team wanted to begin with a blank canvas and build toward the best. From a research and listening standpoint, we made it our mission to engage with trampoline enthusiasts across various platforms.
It started with compiling all existing information we had from our online surveys over the years. What did the customers like and dislike? What problems had they encountered?
To get to the bottom of our customer preferences, we coupled that investigation with conducting customer research in which we asked the customers specifically how a rectangular trampoline should be designed. We asked about their needs, concerns, wishes and let our audience get specific and down to the details with us.
We also had, and continue to have, continuous interaction with our community through social media channels like Facebook and Instagram. With direct outreach from our customer service, we invited individuals to share their experiences, preferences and dreams for the ultimate trampoline experience. The response was overwhelming, affirming our belief in the power of community-driven innovation.
Every comment, whether it praised the durability of our previous models or highlighted areas for improvement, was carefully considered and incorporated into our design process and we are more than thrilled to have such an amazing community who wants to actively be part of the journey. We also took it upon ourselves to consult health care professionals to truly understand every aspect and the science of how the body and bounce affect each other.
Perhaps most exciting, we organized focus groups of all our audiences, in which they could interact with prototypes, provide real-time feedback, and engage in spirited discussions about their expectations. These face-to-face interactions not only deepened our understanding of our audience but also fostered a sense of camaraderie and shared ownership over the Acon X project. In total, over 500 jumpers—kids, parents, school groups, professional gtrampers and even Olympic athletes—all tested and gave advice on the Acon X. Their shared DNA of a love for leaping helped us achieve new heights
Crafting Excellence Together
Watch how community-driven innovation, expert insights, and a shared passion for trampolining helped us reach new heights with the Acon X.
Three ways we incorporated feedback into design of ACON X
As we sifted through the wealth of feedback gathered from our community, certain themes began to emerge – a desire for enhanced safety features, a longing for greater customization options, and a quest for unparalleled performance. Armed with this knowledge, our team of engineers and designers set out to turn these aspirations into reality.
Finding the Sweet Spot for Families
G-trampers wanted more customization and families wanted safety, a soft bounce and endless possibilities for playing. Merging these different needs created a customizable trampoline with the ability for a smooth, simple bounce for little leapers and the ability for the trampoline’s performance to grow over time as kids aged up. It was this nugget for a play area that helped us develop the revolutionary new Acon X play modules, taking the fun far beyond the joys of jumping. Plus, parent feedback led to our new Twist n’ Lock enclosure system, which makes it easier to install.
Transforming for the Tricking Community
Professionals wanted to take our bounce to even bigger extents. So, we made the height adjustable, even creating an add-on height kit. And we built it all on the super rigid X Frame which removes any sway from the experience. With customization in the spring setup and mat choices, the bounce was carefully engineered to perfection with the help of our g-tramper team and engineers . To push the performance and customization options even further, the Competition and Freestyle trampoline mats were created.
Prioritizing Family Feedback
We always love to hear from parents, who ask questions like "Are the nets safe enough? Is the weight limit high enough for parents to jump as well? Are the parts durable enough." Which is why Acon safety features are among the best ever created. In creating the Acon X, we developed an innovative safe mat with a triple layer of protection, keeping hands and feet away from the springs. It includes an S-buffer on the edge of the mat to prevent sliding onto the springs, a skirt covering the springs, and additional padding for protection from another angle.
Watch the Acon X in Action
We've spent years refining the Acon X based on valuable feedback from our community, athletes, and families. Now, see the result for yourself! Customizable, durable, and designed for both play and performance, the Acon X is here to push the boundaries of what a trampoline can do, with more to come.
How It All Comes Together
The result? The Acon X trampoline – a testament to the power of collaboration and community-driven innovation. Every aspect of the Acon X reflects the input and insights of trampoline enthusiasts worldwide. To read how we introduced the Acon X, read The Making of Acon X Part 2: Countdown to Launch.
We understand that creating the perfect trampoline isn't a one-time achievement; it's a continuous process of listening, learning, and evolving. As we look to the future, we remain committed to staying connected with our community, exploring new ideas, and pushing the boundaries of innovation. Because when we listen to the voices of those who matter most – our customers – we can truly soar to new heights together. Our journey doesn't end with the launch of the Acon X; it's just the beginning of an ongoing dialogue with our community.
