The sensor shorts are leggings that contain sensors. These sensors measure movement patterns, and if these patterns change, it could be possible an injury is lurking. Useful information for a coach, because they can then decide to switch someone out.
Apart from identifying the most promising parameters around the athlete's physical condition, it is the practicalities that are perhaps the greatest scientific challenge. Sensors must be sufficiently flexible and stretchy to be integrated into textiles, but also robust enough to survive exposure to mechanical stress, sweat and detergents.
At the moment, the sensors have to be removed before the shorts go into the washing machine, but in a second version, the researchers want to incorporate the sensors into the textile. In addition, the data is currently stored on an SD card in the trousers, but a wifi module is being considered so that coaches can view the data continuously.
The sensor shorts are a joint project of three universities: TU Delft, UMCG, and the VU. Annemarijn Steijlen is responsible for the development and design of the trousers. Would you like to take a closer look at the sensor shorts? Come along to the innovation market during TEKNOWLOGY on 31 May 2022.
