RUN • TRACK • LOG
CROSS COUNTRY A sport in which runners compete on topographical courses of varying lengths and terrains
COMPETITION DETAILS 12+ members per team Only first seven members of a team scored SCORING METHODS MANUAL TIMING — to the second TRANSPONDER — chip system, records to 1/10 of a second FULLY AUTOMATIC TIMING (FAT) — camera + film that records to 1/10 of a second
THE TERRAIN
parks golf courses
fields
RACE LENGTH MEN — at least 4,000 meters Championship race — 8,000-10,000 meters WOMEN — at least 3,000 meters Championship race — 5,000-6,000 meters
PROJECT BRIEF
Where is there opportunity to develop new products for cross country running? THE BRAND
THE VALUES MASS MARKETING — Biggest seller of equipment in the world, as official supplier of USA Track and Field
Established nearly a century ago, Gill Athletics is a prominent, growing sports equipment brand that caters to both indoor and outdoor athletes.
PROJECT DETAILS
EQUIPMENT WITH INTEGRITY — Quality products that are precise, effective, and long-lasting INNOVATION AND VISION — Setting the bar high with latest technology, materials, and processes
OPPORTUNITIES
DIRECTION Focus on consumer insight Tap into market needs Consider core-competency set + market intersect POTENTIAL FOCUS POINTS Facility and event needs Training Injury treatment/prevention Redesign of current products
LARGE MARKET High and widespread participation rate
ROOM FOR GROWTH Growing technologybased industry
UNCHARTED WATERS Market is non-specfic and untapped
THE USER SPOTLIGHT
RESULTS JANNIS TOEPHER, 24
GRADUATE STUDENT AEROSPACE ENGINEERING TRAINING up to 26 hrs/wk Runner for 10 years GEAR ropes (stretching), warm-up hurdles, GPS watch RACHEL IRION, 22
SENIOR, PSYCHOLOGY & SPANISH TRAINING up to 28 hrs/wk Runner for 9 years GEAR watch, mileage log, elliptical machines, stationary bikes, AlterG anti-gravity treadmill AMANDA FOX, 20
We surveyed 14 collegiate-level cross country runners, ranging from 18 - 24 years of age
I’ve had about five injuries in the 10 years I’ve been running, some worse than others. The stronger my muscles are, the more my body is able to avoid injury. — ELISA CHERRY, 22
I run based off feel on easy days and use a watch for splits on faster days. — ALEXANDER SNYDER, 20
When I am training, I don’t particularly know [what’s going on] unless my coaches are there or tells us where it is. It would be cool to have an affordable running device for all running shoes to track how long someone has ran for and detect the distance. — VIANCA BERMEO, 21
SOPHOMORE, KINESIOLOGY TRAINING up to 18 hrs/wk Runner for 9 years
INSIGHT
GEAR ropes, baseball, foam rollers (stretching/injuries), journal (logging), GPS watch, iPod
Runners don’t need “bells and whistles” for training. Training must be meticulously planned and kept recorded. Getting lost during a race is not common. All runners have gotten injured at some point.
TARGET MARKET USER Male & female Collegiate-level athlete Runs at least 15 hrs/wk Trains in a group or individually On a budget — Doesn’t want to splurge on expensive technology
FOCUS GROUPS Cross country student-athletes Long distance track student-athletes Cross country club athletes
DESIGN CUES TECH-SAVVY — Desires technology that improves and streamlines processes EARLY ADOPTERS — Seeks out the latest products or services, in tune with the economy and market BUSY ACHIEVERS — Determined athletes who need to stay organized and on schedule
MARKET RESEARCH INJURY PREVENTION, TREATMENT
ULTRA DELUXE SPORTS MEDICINE ROLLER PROSOURCE
BLUE ROUND FOAM ROLLER GOGO™
COMPRESSION LEG SLEEVES (PAIR) BRACOO
SHIN-SPLINT THERAPY SLEEVE RECOFIT
$22.99
$12.98
$11.70
$60.00
Portable soft tissue foam roller for massaging
Large high density foam roller for massaging
Ergonomic leg sleeve to promote circulation, recovery
Dual purpose leg sleeve, includes icing gel packs
Compact 13 x 5.5” Firm, yet flexible bumps Economical use of foam
Good rehabilitation tool Reasonable price Generally durable
Gradiented pressure Fast muscle recovery Increased muscle support Flexible, breathable material
Right- and left-leg specific Support blood return Reduce muscle vibration
Limited durability Unfavorable texture of material
Not portable Easily dented Too soft, will squish under your weight
Not one-size fits all Too tight, causes numbness
Ice packs melt too quickly Hard to put sleeve on Too expensive for mediocre quality offered
MARKET RESEARCH MOBILE APPLICATIONS
ARMOUR39 UNDER ARMOUR INC.
NIKE+ RUNNING NIKE, INC.
RUN WITH MAP MY RUN MAPMYFITNESS
FITBIT FITBIT, INC.
FREE*
FREE
FREE*
FREE*
Measures heart rate, calories burned, intensity, and WILLpower™
Measures pace/calories/ distance/elevation/time, GPS, nutrition with voice coaching
Measures steps/calories burned/ distance synced with goals/ progress/food/weight/sleep
*basic app without HR monitor, $99.00
Tracks runs, goals with Nike+ Coach guidance, GPS, accelerometer, pace/time, offers in-run audio feedback
*basic app without MVP function
*basic app without $60-100 tracker
User-friendly, bold graphics Correalates well with any type of workout
Compare with friends Makes running exciting Set concrete challenges
Comprehensive capabilities Best Running App 2012 (About.com)
Clean, simple interface Good weight management tool
Basic without HR monitor Only applicaple with iPhone 4S and later
Time logging inaccurate Not for indoor use — reported GPS glitches
Very complex — uses too much data/battery
Basic without tracker User must guess exercise — not precise
BENCHMARKING INJURY PREVENTION, TREATMENT
VERSATILITY VS. PRICE
MOBILE APPLICATIONS
PRICE OPPORTUNITY
VERSATILITY
VERSATILITY
CAPABILITIES VS. AESTHETICS
OPPORTUNITY
EFFECTIVENESS
LIFESPAN
CAPABILITIES
AESTHETICS
LIFESPAN
EFFECTIVENESS
OPPORTUNITY
CAPABILITIES
PRICE
EFFECTIVENESS VS. LIFESPAN
AESTHETICS
USER-FRIENDLINESS VS. SELF-FUNCTIONALITY
USER-FRIENDLINESS
SELF FUNCTIONALITY OPPORTUNITY
USER-FRIENDLINESS
SELF FUNCTIONALITY
RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION ABOUT
COMMON USES
Automatic identification wireless system that translates the identity of someone or something via radio waves (between 125 kHz to 2.45 GHz), in which users can send data to a computer database without another person. There are RFID systems available for competitive sports, but it is a small field in which efficiency and price can be improved.
CAT DOORS, PET TRACKING
HOW IT WORKS TRANSPONDER + READER/TRACKER = SYSTEM Microchip (copper coil) Capacitor
Digital circuitry Printed circuit board Server
RETAIL
The active transponder is the external component in motion, while the reader sends out electromagnetic waves that register the transponder when in close contact. The reader can be synced up to a computer system to transmit the data. RACES/SPORTS
WHY IT WORKS Accurate to 0.1 seconds Can be waterproof Reusable Transponders cheap to produce — from 10 cents to a few dollars
PRODUCT APPLICATIONS SHIPPING
DISK (TRANSPONDER) worn by runner
MAT (TRACKER/READER) runner makes close contact
DIGITAL DATABASE results register/viewed
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS CLEAN AESTHETICS The look, feel, and fashion in which the capabilities of the mobile application flow are extremely significant in how the people perceive and use it. All elements must be simple, hierarchal and visually appealing.
SIMPLICITY Cross country runners pride themselves in not requiring too many “bells and whistles� for training. The mobile application and devices should adhere to this philosophy, encompassing the bare essentials.
VERSATILITY The mobile application should be useful for runners, coaches, and spectators. Although the application should be simple and straightforward, it should be useful for multiple facets of functionality.
LONGEVITY The devices associated with this mobile application should be timeless and reusable to minimize eco-impact. Although many of the applications I conducted market research on were device dependent, the app should offer alternative aspects as well.
INITIAL BRAINSTORM Attachable to body Special insulation Ergonomic forms
Mit to clean Mat to clean
SPIKES CLEANER
CROSS COUNTRY PRODUCTS
WATER BOTTLE
COMPRESSION SLEEVE
FOAM ROLLER
3-in-1 foam roller Varying textures
Detachable front Heat/ice pack
CONCEPT BRAINSTORM USER/TASK WORKFLOW (TYPICAL SCENARIO)
TASKS/CAPABILITIES ATHLETES Check weather/environment before a run Log personal specific workout progress Compare yourself to teammates Share/transmit statistics/training plans Discuss team details (messaging) Observe long term training trends Save workout notes COACHES Plan training of athletes Compare training/statistics of athletes Schedule training of athletes Message/communicate with athletes
ACTIVITY FLOWCHART
WIREFRAMING
WIREFRAMING
AESTHETICS RETRO
CLASSIC
36째
36째
champaign
2:30pm train
BOLD
champaign
2:30
p.m.
train
connect
connect
setup setup
36째 CHAMPAIGN
2:30 p train connect
EDGE (IDEAL)
36째
CHAMPAIGN
2:30
pm
train connect setup
setup
COLORS
COLORS
COLORS
COLORS
INSPIRATION Kuler theme CS04 Pottery Barn
INSPIRATION Earth/eco-friendliness Grass Fancy watches
INSPIRATION Nike Under Armour
INSPIRATION Microsoft 8 interface Uniqlo
SPIRIT Contrasting Intense Geometric Confident Eye-catching
SPIRIT Simple Minimalistic Edgy Versatile New Fresh
SPIRIT Fun Playful Clean Bright Trendy
SPIRIT Nuanced Historic Embellished Calm Subdued
TRANSPONDER TECHNICAL DETAILS Micro-coil + capacitor Holds up to 64 kilobits of data Attaches on clothing, rewritable Effective from far range (because it’s an active transponder)
SHAPE BRAINSTORM
ATTACHES TO SWEATSHIRT OR COLLAR (CLOTHING)
FORM STUDIES ORTHOGRAPHIC VIEW
EXPLODED VIEW
FINAL FORM (APPROX 2 x 0.75 x 1”)
READER/TRACKER TECHNICAL DETAILS Houses digital circuitry, server Sends radio waves out to transponders Transmits statistics to reader
DOME/BEAN SHAPE
ORTHOGRAPHIC VIEW
FORM STUDIES
ACTS LIKE FINISH LINE
FINAL FORM (APPROX 6’ x 3’ x 1”)
FABRICATION DETAILS READER/TRACKER MANUFACTURING Body — Silicone rubber — flexible, ozone/oxidation resistance, good insulator for electric systems PICTURED R88 G88 B154 Available in multiple colors based on team/coach preference
TRANSPONDER MANUFACTURING Body — Injection-molded polypropylene RFID — Recycled copper mounted on injection-molded polypropylene, aluminum wiring FINISH Deflashing, painting PICTURED R0 G170 B174 Available in multiple colors based on team/coach preference
A mobile app synced to an RFID-tag system that enables collegiate-level cross country runners and coaches to train and strategize smarter.
HOW TO USE
Track weather details to train at the ideal time
Quick results sent to your phone post-RFID training
Plan, rate, assess, and transmit weekly progress
Easy, simple interface for coach to calibrate RFID
Keep track of personal records and dates
Stay on track with specific, useful updates
TRAIN, CONNECT, SETUP Easy navigation enables not only runners but coaches to track their statistics and assess competition
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS COVER PHOTO Brenton Tse Photography MARKET RESEARCH amazon.com, powermaxequipment. com, itunes.apple.com, fitbit.com RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION rfidjournal.com, rfidtiming.com, wired.com, confidex.com WIREFRAMING flinto.com AESTHETICS kuler.adobe.com TRANSPONDER, READER/TRACKER confidex.com FABRICATION DETAILS sme.org, emachineshop.com