NFL “1st and Future” pitch competition has rewarded 3 start-ups working in the advancement of technology and athletes’ health.
VesaliuX President Dr. Bernard Harris was one of the panelists judging the startups.
The 2017 winners are, for the 3 categories:
Communicating with the Athlete: GoRoute
On-field wearable technology enhances communication and allows players to receive digital play diagrams.
» Training the Athlete: Mobile Virtual Player
‘Virtual players’ — motorized tackling dummies — reduce the risk of getting injured while tackling during practice.
» Materials to Protect the Athlete: Windpact
A padding system that absorbs and disperses impact energy to improve the performance of helmets and other protective gear.
On the photo, the WindPact team receives the $50,000 award.
The other 6 startups participating were:
- Elevety, Toronto, Canada – Bringing voice communication to spectator sports. The technology would allow teams to communicate anywhere without a mobile network.
- Linkpro,Jersey City, Channel Island, U.K. – Their helmet allows users to communicate with specific groups through a one-touch system.
- The Iron Neck, Austin – The helmet-like device is designed to help defend against concussive forces and rehabilitate previous injuries.
- LVL, Austin – Sensor technology to give an athlete’s status for hydration, muscle effort and exertion, heart rate, speed and concussion markers. L
- 2nd Skull, Pittsburgh – Headgear designed to reduce impact. The soft, flexible and breathable cap fits under football helmets to provide added protection against impact.
- Prevent Biometrics, Minneapolis – A head monitor that detects concussion-causing impacts in real time.
GoRout MVP: Mobile Virtual Player #windpact Bernard Harris The Iron Neck#1standfuture