Strike — Preventing TBI in sports
A wearable device that protects the brain against repeated blows and analyzes your fitness statistics to give you a bird's-eye view of how far you've come. We identify data patterns unique to your exercise activity, highlighting what works best for you. Helping you track heart rate, calorie-burning, and energy output throughout the entire practice or game.
Role
UI/UX and Product Design
Timeline
15 weeks — 2021
Designer
Edvard Dagur Edvardsson
Tools
01 — Overview
Problem Faced
Helmets and other athletic equipment are meant to protect the head from hits. This does not, however, prevent the brain from rapidly accelerating and decelerating, causing the twisting and ripping of neurons and traumatic brain damage (TBIs). Repetitive head hits, as well as smaller impacts known as concussive strikes, have been shown to cause structural changes in an athlete's brain. Coaches and athletes also struggle with getting analysis with one eye focused on how lessons from the past can impact positively on future performances.
Solution
Strike is a device that protects the brain against repeated blows and analyzes your fitness statistics to give you a bird's-eye view of how far you've come. We identify data patterns unique to your exercise activity, highlighting what works best for you. Helping you track heart rate, calorie-burning, and energy output throughout the entire practice or game.
The Scale of the Problem
Concussions Yearly
1.6-3.8M
Sports and recreation related concussions occur each year in the U.S.
Athletes at Risk
10%
Of all contact sport athletes sustain concussions yearly
Post-Concussion Effects
86%
Of athletes that suffer a concussion will experience Post-Traumatic Migraine or headache pain
Football Brain Injuries
1 in 5
Football injuries associated with the brain occur at the rate of one in every five games
02 — Research
I conducted extensive research to understand the challenges athletes face and the science behind traumatic brain injuries.
Interviews & Survey
I interviewed 12 potential users of Strike over phone calls, zoom calls and through questions, I sent them online. I also conducted an online survey with 72 participants to identify patterns in user needs.
Sample Questions
- • What sport do you play?
- • Have you ever experienced a concussion through sport?
- • Have you ever tracked your athletic performance in training or in games?
- • Have you experienced Post-Traumatic Migraine after a head impact?
- • What athletic attributes would you want to track during training or games?
- • Would you want to wear a product that would reduce the risk of getting a TBI?
Key Insights
Rotational acceleration forces present higher concussion risks than linear forces
Non-Newtonian fluid mechanics offer superior impact protection while maintaining comfort
Real-time physiological monitoring can prevent secondary impact syndrome
Athletes are more likely to adopt protective technology when it offers additional performance benefits
03 — Design Process
My approach involved iterative design informed by user research and scientific principles.
Research
I conducted extensive literature review of biomechanical studies on concussion mechanisms and interviews with neurologists specializing in sports injuries
Methodologies
Prototyping
I developed multiple form factors and material compositions to balance protection, comfort, and sensor accuracy
Methodologies
Testing
I performed laboratory impact testing with specialized equipment to measure force dissipation across different scenarios
Methodologies
Validation
I conducted field testing with collegiate athletes across multiple sports to validate real-world performance
Methodologies
04 — Branding
The brand identity was designed to communicate strength, protection, and cutting-edge technology.
Logo Design Process
The logo design process focused on creating a symbol that represented both protection and performance. The final logo combines a shield-like shape with dynamic elements suggesting movement and monitoring.
Final Logo
The final Strike logo is bold, modern, and versatile. It works effectively across digital and physical applications, from the mobile app to the wearable device itself.
06 — Hardware Design Concept
The conceptual hardware design envisions how protection technology could be combined with performance tracking sensors in a comfortable wearable form.
Concept Design
Strike's conceptual hardware design imagines how jugular vein compression technology might integrate with advanced sensors in a comfortable, wearable form factor. The proposed device would be worn during training and games without restricting movement or comfort.
Brain Protection
IJV compression technology
Heart Rate
Continuous monitoring
Movement
10Hz GPS + accelerometer
Performance
Comprehensive metrics
In this concept, the device would include sensors comprising an accelerometer and gyroscope for motion detection, plus a heart rate monitor with photodiodes and infrared LEDs. All components would be wrapped in a comfortable, durable material for optimal athletic use.
Project Gallery
Project Outcome
The Strike project is a conceptual design that presents a potential solution for reducing concussion risk during sports activities. This concept explores how wearable technology could integrate both protective and performance tracking features. The design concept and app prototype received positive feedback and recognition for addressing an important health concern in sports.
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