Engineering Students Compete in Nike+ Digital Sports Product Concept Challenge

2014 May 21

In an effort to re-envision its shoe sensing technology, Nike teamed up with the Kern Entrepreneurship Education Network (KEEN) to host the Nike+ Digital Sports Product Concept Challenge for students to develop new ways to apply the technology for basis of new sport-related products and services.

KEEN, a collaboration of select, private universities around the United States strives to instill an entrepreneurial mindset in undergraduate engineering and technology students. Widener University, which joined KEEN in 2011, is one of three schools participating in the competition.

With the guidance of Jessica Isaacs, visiting professor of mechanical engineering and Anthony Bellezza, adjunct professor of biomedical engineering, students in the School of Engineering were encouraged to find ways to exploit this core Nike technology with a specific emphasis on identifying new market segments, developing a deep understanding of customers, interactively engaging these customers in the concept exploration process, developing an appropriate ecosystem and business model for their concepts, and articulating their concepts to Nike personnel. In teams, students developed a video pitch and prototypes, which were judged in a Shark Tank-style event at Widener before the KEEN Competition.

"The competition gave students the opportunity to master design principles," Isaacs said. "While also learning the importance a strong business model that acknowledges the need of potential markets."

The first place winners were Andrew Buckley, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, and Max Spencer, a sophomore biomedical engineering major. They focused on soccer, using the sensors to help perfect a players pace rate.

"Our idea was to have a fully compressive soccer system for training and post-game feedback," Spencer said. "Players could use the data to establish their patterns of play so they could improve their game."

The second place team used the sensor in a mouth guard as a way to improve the diagnosis of concussions. Ryan Raiker, a sophomore electrical engineering and computer science major, got the idea from his time playing ice hockey and suffering a serious concussion. "It was something that was meaningful to us and it was a product that we believe in," he said. "In our research we discovered that 75% of concussions go undiagnosed. Those aren't diagnosed appropriately are more susceptible to death." In their product concept the sensor is placed in a mouth guard, which can internally measure the g-force the head experiences; a determining factor in having information on head injuries quickly.

Both teams are looking forward to the KEEN competition.

Widener University is a private, metropolitan university that connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention, leadership development, and experiential learning are key components of the Widener experience. A comprehensive doctorate-granting university, Widener is comprised of eight schools and colleges that offer liberal arts and sciences and professional and pre-professional curricula leading to associate's, baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees. The university's campuses in Chester, Exton, and Harrisburg, PA, and Wilmington, DE, serve approximately 6,300 students. Widener is proud to be a tobacco-free university. Visit the university's website, www.widener.edu, for more information.