HOC is a mobile application and wearable device pairing which tracks injuries and facilitates proper protocol to avert potential brain injuries for athletes. HOC aims to aid coaches in keeping track of player health and preventing future injuries.
Team: Mia Biagini, Gurdeep Bassi, Bryce Hymans, Miles Vallejos
BUILDING SOMETHING PRACTICAL
It is very common for high impact sports athletes to suffer from concussions and traumatic brain injuries. Those involved with high impact physical activity need a system to analyze the severity of injuries and establish proper protocol and action. Our goal is to reduce and prevent the number of traumatic brain injuries in high impact sports.
My team conducted research in the form of in-person interviews, competitive analysis, and research from academic journals and scholarly articles. We found that athletes are often not aware of the severity of their brain injury history and it is common for athletes to deny injury during play in order to not let the team down. Coaches are typically in charge of 50+ players, which limits their ability to oversee every high impact contact on the field.
HOC: YOUR HEALTH GUARDIAN
HAWK
The hawk symbolizes power, awareness and observation. In these senses, the hawk is the guardian that watches over and tracks players injuries.
DOCTOR
Doctors monitor health and facilitate care.
SHIELD
The shield is seen in many medical symbols and also represents protection and security.
WEARABLE DEVICE PAIRING
The wearable skull cap that syncs with HOC is lined with removable sensor strips that wrap around the entire head. Meant to analyze impacts from all angles, injuries and impacts are transmitted to the HOC application in real time.
INJURY ALERT
HOC alerts the coach when a player gets hit beyond the normal impact threshold.
TBI TESTING
HOC guides the coach in recording athletes' symptoms with proper brain injury protocol.
RESULTS AND HISTORY
HOC creates records of athletes’ injuries and sends them to doctors to assist in diagnosis. Records remain stored within the app for future reference and guidance.
PROTOTYPING AND CONCEPT VALIDATION
KEY INSIGHTS
Knowing the athlete's injury history is crucial to creating the right recovery process. Coaches may knowingly or unknowingly break proper protocol. Coaches might miss a hit and players might avoid reporting injury.
"No matter how small the injury might be; head injuries are not to be taken lightly. The brain is the human central control system and it is essential that it is taken care of."
"I hid my concussion, went back out for a couple quarters, and threw up from diziness. I didn't want to let my team down."
KEY OPPORTUNITIES
Take the reporting process out of the athletes' hands and hold coaches accountable for the well-being of their athletes. Wearable devices with sensors may be a good supplement.
Gather and store information to help in the diagnosis and recovery process. Provide accurate and consistent service.
Implement proper protocol when an athlete is suspected to have a possible brain injury.
