Client & Team
- Together with hockey coach Stan Huijsmans and Spinnov, we started Smart Teams from our office on Strijp-S in Eindhoven.
- We had no money, only time and ambition.
Project
The idea was simple: What if team members could instantly switch teams with the push of a button by the coach, forcing each player to adjust to the new situation and actively change strategy immediately?
Scope
We set up a plan to have our first product ready for the EC Hockey 2013 in Belgium to be able to present it to the most important players and coaches in Europe. We focused on hockey because we had access to players and teams at all levels, from amateur to Olympic silver medalists.
Challenges
- When pushing the button on the remote, the lights should immediately change.
- Integration of the electronics into a garment that was nice to wear during high activity, light enough and not obstructing the wearer’s movement.
- Everything should be waterproof against weather and sweat.
- All garments should be washable and electronics easy to attach and detach.
- LEDs should be visible in daylight.
- Battery life and easy charging.
- A set needed to contain at least 12 vests. Production cost should be kept low enough to achieve a good business case.
- Easy to scale up production.
Impact
Smart Teams had a positive reception at the EC Hockey and was the runner-up in the Dutch Sport Innovation Awards of 2013. After a year, the team decided to discontinue the startup and focus on other more promising projects.
- Successfully created and manufactured the MVP for Smart Teams
- Runner up of the Dutch Sport Innovation awards 2013
- Showed the potential of simple electronics in strategic training.
Role
- Design of the garments
- Conducting material research
- Sourcing and supplier contact
- Rapid prototyping e.g. Sewing, laser-cutting.
- Manufacturing of the MVP product.
- Creating marketing materials.
- Conducting user tests