PROJECT PASCAL FORUM

 

Technology Revolutionizing Sport

Professor Andy Harland, Loughborough University

Host: Taeyoung Kang

Organized by Project Pascal

                                                     Pascal Panel: Sashil Anand, Terrence Lim, Kushagra Kesarwani

 

 

Adidas Partnership and Cutting Edge Sports Research

Professor Harland reflects on the longstanding partnership between his team and Adidas, which was recently honored with the Royal Academy of Engineering Bhattacharyya Award for the best UK industry-academia partnership. Here are the key insights into the application of cutting-edge sports research in collaboration with Adidas and its contributions to enhancing sports safety, accessibility, and athlete performance.

 

Team Effort and Educational Impact:

Over two decades of collaboration, the partnership between Professor Harland’s team and Adidas has transcended mere research endeavors, evolving into a profound educational journey for all involved stakeholders. Engaging approximately 40 to 50 individuals from academia and industry, this symbiotic relationship has not only yielded pioneering research outcomes but has also served as a fertile ground for personal and professional growth. The partnership’s legacy includes the initiation of numerous Ph.D. programs, providing aspiring scholars with invaluable hands-on experiences in sports equipment engineering and environmental physiology, thus nurturing the next generation of innovators and leaders in the field.

 

Cross-disciplinary Collaboration: Pushing the Boundaries of Innovation

Central to the success of the Adidas partnership is the ethos of cross-disciplinary collaboration, which has enabled the convergence of diverse expertise to address multifaceted challenges in sports technology. By fostering an environment where experts from varied backgrounds synergize their knowledge and skills, the partnership has propelled the boundaries of innovation and problem-solving to unprecedented heights. Professor Harland emphasizes the pivotal role of both confidence in one’s domain-specific expertise and the humility to embrace insights from disparate fields, underscoring the collaborative spirit that underpins their collective achievements.

 

Tangible Impact and Visibility:

The partnership has resulted in tangible outcomes visible in sports equipment design and performance. Whether it’s the design of athletic shoes or the development of sports balls, the research has played a role in shaping products used by athletes worldwide. Professor Harland highlights the satisfaction of seeing the direct impact of their work on sports products and experiences.

 

Embracing Human-Centric Approaches:

While technological innovation remains paramount, Professor Harland underscores the significance of adopting human-centric approaches in sports research and development. Recognizing that the ultimate end-users of sports technologies are human athletes, understanding their behaviors, motivations, and preferences is paramount in fostering inclusivity and optimizing user experience. By prioritizing human factors in the design and implementation of sports technologies, the partnership endeavors to create products that seamlessly integrate with athletes’ needs and aspirations, thereby fostering a more engaging and fulfilling sports experience for all.

 

Focus on Sustainability:

The discussion touches on the importance of sustainability in sports technology. As consumers demand eco-friendly alternatives, there arises an imperative for the sports industry to embrace sustainable practices in product design and manufacturing. Professor Harland acknowledges the pivotal role of sustainability in shaping the future landscape of sports technology, advocating for the adoption of environmentally conscious approaches that minimize ecological footprint without compromising performance or quality.

 

Continued Exploration and Collaboration:

Looking ahead, Professor Harland expresses unwavering enthusiasm for the continued exploration of the symbiotic relationship between technology and sports. As the realms of academia and industry converge, the journey of innovation and collaboration persists, offering boundless opportunities to redefine the possibilities within sports technology. With a steadfast commitment to excellence and a shared vision of advancing human performance and well-being through cutting-edge research, the partnership between Professor Harland’s team and Adidas remains poised to chart new frontiers and inspire generations to come.

The enduring partnership between academia and industry exemplifies the transformative power of collaborative research in driving innovation, elevating athlete performance, and enriching the overall sports experience. Through unwavering dedication, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to sustainability, the partnership continues to pave the way for a future where sports technology transcends boundaries and empowers athletes to reach unprecedented heights of achievement.

 

About Professor Andy Harland

Professor Harland is active in research across a broad range of topics related to sport, including measurement and instrumentation in sport, product design and development, injury prevention and simulation.

A number of projects have been concerned with sports footwear, apparel, protective gear and hard-goods, with particular focus on a wide range of hollow and solid sports balls.

Professor Harland’s research in soccer balls has been applied by adidas in tournament balls used in FIFA world cups since 2006 and UEFA European Championships since 2004 and his research in cricket helmet impacts underpinned the revision of the British Standard 7928:2013; Specification for Head Protection for Cricketers.

Professor Harland has partnered with a wide range of industrial, commercial and charitable bodies, including adidas, FIFA, England and Wales Cricket Board, International Cricket Council, BISFed and FIH.

Professor Harland has also supported a number of start-up businesses including Alcuris, Incus, Nymbl and Shot Scope and is keen to support ideas through to commercialisation.

 

About Sports Technology Institute, Loughborough University, UK

The world-leading Sports Technology Research Group was established to have a positive global, social and economic impact on sport through excellent engineering research, teaching and enterprise. The Group has an international reputation for its work with global brands and federations including adidas, PING, Head, FIFA, Wattbike, England & Wales Cricket Board, New Balance, Nike, UK Sport, Reebok, Speedo and Umbro on the design, simulation, testing and manufacture of sporting goods. It is based in the University’s £15 million Sports Technology Institute, which boasts a range of state-of-the-art equipment and bespoke test rigs.

For more information, visit www.lboro.ac.uk/research/sti/

About Loughborough University and Adidas team

Drawing on the University’s first-class capabilities in engineering, aerodynamics, ergonomics and sports science, project teams have worked to make sport safer, more accessible and allow people to perform at their best, whilst developing the adidas talent pipeline.

Full details of the impacts of the Loughborough adidas partnership are available on the University website. Winning – it’s all about teamwork (lboro.ac.uk)