Our point of view: Bringing high-tech to the forests of Maine

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Maybe you thought that getting away from your cell phone and computer was the best part of going fishing or cycling or hiking.

But for a number of Maine entrepreneurs, those devices aren’t something you have to escape from to enter the natural world. They could also be the thing that gets you out the door.

For example, take Sled TRX. Maine has a world-class network of snowmobile trails that connect scenic honeycomb areas across the state. They are mostly built and maintained by local snowmobile clubs, making sailing a challenge for visitors.

Sled TRX is a website created by 22-year-old Jake Warn of Waterville, who created an online statewide map that helps people plan their snowmobile trips. By combining information from state and local officials and snowmobile clubs, the site helps people plan their routes and advises them to discover hidden gems they would never find on their own

A mobile app, which would provide cyclists with real-time route information, is under development, Warn told Press Herald reporter Hannah LeClaire. And he hopes to expand his idea to other states.

Maine inventors are looking to connect with investors for a variety of startups that have an outdoor recreation corner. Given the importance of the sector to the Maine economy, this makes a lot of sense.

According to a report from the U.S. Department of Commerce, outdoor recreation in Maine generated $ 2.3 billion in gross production in 2020, including $ 260 million from manufacturing outdoor recreational equipment and equipment.

While the overall value decreased during the first year of the pandemic, several businesses saw significant increases in Maine, such as boating and fishing (which make up one category) and cycling, which increased by 27% and 15%, respectively.

While the pandemic has been catastrophic for companies that rely on indoor gatherings such as theaters, bars, restaurants and event venues, outdoor activities are considered to be much safer. This means that more people who may not be as well versed in the safe use of woodland trails and shorelines are venturing out.

This creates an opportunity for Mainers. The Yarmouth-based Chimani company, best known for mobile national park guides, released a Maine guide last year. It contains information on state parks, local parks, hiking, biking trails, terrain and beaches, as well as waterfalls and other unique geological features, along with carefully researched information and history.

Not all innovations are high-tech, but they are reaching their customers through e-commerce markets. One company, Tree Free Fires, co-founded by two Mainers, sells a portable container that offers the experience of sitting around a campfire without the hassle and environmental impact of collecting wood.

The internet has sparked a computer revolution that has changed everything from what happens when we visit a doctor’s office to what’s on the shelves of a local supermarket.

It should come as no surprise that something as important as outdoor recreation also becomes a focus of innovation. Technology may not make a walk in the woods any more relaxing, but if it can help you get on the road, it’s a step in the right direction.

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