Industrial - Bachelor
GEM is a female centre tracking sensor that collects game play and hormonal factors as to properly monitor, train and prepare female players for the high intensity female football (soccer) provides.
Injuries are unfortunately an unavoidable component in competitive sports, uncovering the wider concerns regarding training loads, physiology and the design of playing environment and equipment. In football, female players consistently encounter more injury risks than men, especially with anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) tears. Current literature determines that women in professional football are 2-6 times more likely to suffer an ACL injury in comparison to males. With long rehabilitation process creates overwhelming consequences for player’s well-being, mental health, performance and career.
As women football continues to grow, addressing these risks is crucial for players well-being and the future of the game.
Through various research methods of video observations, surveys from female players and coaching staff and comprehensive interviews, multiple pain points arose which formed the foundation for this project. For someone who plays female soccer, the limit research and development for female specific products is both harmful to female players well-beings and inconsiderate to the progression of female football.
GEM is a performance-tracking product intentionally designed for the anatomy, movement, and needs of female athletes. Attaching securely to the players sports bra band, GEM captures accurate core-based wellbeing and performance data, including heart rate, temperature shifts, and menstrual-cycle indicators. These metrics enable informed decision-making, supporting players’ physical readiness, hormonal health, and long-term performance. GEM is able to empower players and coaches of these personalised insight as to optimise training loads, injury risks and support players hormonal wellbeing.
As female players continue to compete at elite levels, GEM ensures their bodies are understood, protected, and prioritised in these intense conditions. GEM represents the important steps toward data equity and pushing sport design toward inclusivity and performance innovation in women’s football.
Women’s football is growing fast, but the data, technology and products are still catching up.
GEM exists to make a change to that. Not by pushing men out, but by properly bringing women in. With accurate core-based data and hormonal intelligence, GEM is backed by true performance insights and science, not stereotypes.
GEM provides women the tools and knowledge they have always deserved. Every player deserves step onto the pitch prepared, protected and empowered.
The ideation process mostly consisted of rapid foam prototyping to understand form and feel with 3D printing for high fidelity prototyping. I believed it was important to test the form and feel of the product on the users, as to fully grasp the comfortability and usability of the product when attached to users. As such I was able to comprehend the context of use and environment in depth with this workflow.
“GEM” is an entirely 3D printed product with a customisable PCB and skin vibration alert, small LED light and spring. At 1 unit, I’ve estimated the total cost of the product would be $151.50, allowing for contribution to go towards the digital interface and 20% profit, this product would retail for approximately $176. The plastic parts attach via a slot insert between the top and bottom shells of the product, allowing for internal components to be secured and protected.
One of the critical requirements for this project was it had to be able to withstand the sweat and body temperature of users skin. The material selection of Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is a high-performance, thermoplastic known for its remarkable of mechanical strength, thermal stability and chemical resistance. The durability of the material made it an ideal contender for use. However, as materials continue to evolve there is potential to adopt a more sustainable material for the future of the product.
Additionally, to ensure the product does not fall off when slot clipped onto bra band, small, extruded teeth were modelled to confidently grip onto the sports bra material. This feature was a new modification as although the original prototype did attach to a user’s sport bra, it did not effectively incorporate this feature.
The Colour, Materials and Finishes (CMF) played an influential role of determining the product aesthetic and user appeal. The Black, Grey and White colour options was intended to camouflage with the common sports bra colours players tend to wear. It was crucial to keep the aesthetic minimal and small as to not to draw too much attention when user is wearing the product. This would allow players to continue to play with confidence without worrying about judgment when wearing the tracking device. In accompany with the colour’s selection, I kept a matte finish to further embrace a strong and durable aesthetic for the product. Ultimately this partnership embraces a durable, minimal and inconspicuous design, so all players have to worry about is their game play.
Megan is an industrial designer focused on enhancing human performance and wellbeing, particularly in women’s sport. Skilled in rapid ideation, digital modelling, and prototyping, she creates purposeful products that elevate user experience, safety, and interaction on and off the field.