Industrial - Bachelors

Elan, a wearable injury-prevention sneaker

Elan is a basketball sneaker, that redefines injury prevention and enhances player confidence on the court. Engineered with advanced strain-monitoring sensors and a streamlined design, Elan empowers athletes with real-time insights into ankle health. The sneaker features a sleek velcro strap for stability, strategic ventilation for comfort, and a high-traction sole pattern, blending form and function seamlessly.

Nice kellia UTUJE

a shoe highlighted in a dark room with bright lights

what is Elan?

Elan is not just a basketball shoe, it’s a transformative approach to injury prevention in sports. Recognizing the physical demands of basketball where high jumps, rapid pivots, and sudden stops elevate the risk of injury, particularly for the ankles, Elan empowers players to move confidently and safely. Equipped with IMU sensors, Elan tracks ankle strain, impact levels, muscle fatigue, and high-risk movements in real time. The sneaker harnesses energy through piezoelectric sensors, consuming only 1–10 mW per hour and generating power bursts of 10–100 mW during intense play. Data collected is relayed to the Elan mobile app, where players can monitor injury risks, alerted by a subtle logo light on the shoe’s exterior. With stability-enhancing velcro straps, a high-traction sole pattern, and strategically placed ventilation, Elan delivers both performance and protection, allowing athletes to focus on their game while minimising the threat of injury.

Research findings

someone jumping to place a ball in a basket
The research included secondary data on basketball injury rates, causes, and existing preventive measures, as well as primary data from 30 surveys and two in-depth interviews. Findings show that basketball, as an intense, high-impact sport, places considerable strain on players’ bodies, particularly on their lower extremities. The ankles experience the highest injury rate among all body parts at 21.9%, making them especially vulnerable. Despite the prevalence of ankle injuries, few effective measures currently exist to prevent or minimise these risks in basketball. Many players, both recreational and professional, continue playing after sustaining an injury, often unaware of the severity. This lack of real-time feedback on injury risk or progression frequently exacerbates injuries, lengthening recovery times and increasing long-term health consequences. As the physical demands of basketball continue to challenge athletes, there is an urgent need for solutions that provide timely alerts on injury risks and accurate data on injury severity for safer, more informed play.

The primary research findings confirmed that the most commonly injured areas are the knees and ankles, with overplaying or overtraining as the primary causes. Additionally, footwear emerged as the most effective gear used for injury prevention in basketball.
Name
Research Report
File Type
application
File Size
3 MB
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Initial Concepts

pictures of sketched braces and shoes for basketball

The initial concepts included seven innovative designs aimed at improving support and injury prevention. These concepts featured 1. a high-top sneaker with taping technology for enhanced ankle protection, 2. an EVA foam sole with athletic tape wrapped around the foot for added support, and 3. a knee and ankle sleeve equipped with sensors to monitor impact. Other concepts involved 4. a knee brace with a heating pad to promote blood flow and reduce muscle tension. Additionally, there was a footwear design with customisable insoles and a snug-fit system for better stability, and finally an ankle brace with an optic sensor to track ankle strain, and a knee brace with optical sensors to monitor muscle oxygen levels and track strain during movement.

The design

a picture of a shoe app.

The ELAN Mobile app

The Elan shoe app is designed to provide real-time feedback and insights into players’ injury risks and performance. The app syncs with the sensors embedded in the shoe, tracking strain, impact, and muscle fatigue during play. The shoe notifies the player but the app also sends alerts to the player on their mobile as notifications, helping them monitor their condition and adjust their movements accordingly. The app also tracks the data over time, allowing athletes to view trends in their performance and recovery.

SEQUENCE OF USE

Sequence of Use for the Elan Shoe:

Purchase & Unbox
Purchase the Elan shoe at any authorised footwear retailer.
Open the packaging, and refer to the instructions on the thank-you card for a guided setup.

App Setup
Download the Elan Shoe App from your preferred app store.
Sign up with your personal details and create your player profile.

Sensor Activation
After logging into the app, turn on the sensors embedded in your shoes by following the instructions provided in the app.
Game Time

Put on your Elan shoes, ensure they fit snugly, and hit the court! As you play, the shoe actively monitors ankle strain, muscle fatigue, and injury risk.

Injury Alert System
If high strain, muscle fatigue, or elevated injury risk is detected, the shoe will flash red as a warning signal. This immediate alert helps you or your Coach make safer decisions mid-game.

Injury Monitoring
In case of an injury, the app logs the type and severity of injuries in real time, enabling you to assess whether to pause or adjust your activity.

Track & Reflect
Post-game, review the data on injury risk and strain levels stored in the app to gain insights into your performance and recovery needs.

RENDERS

main features

technical drawings

Exploded view

USER Experience maps

The future of elan

With Elan, we recognize that most players have their favorite shoes, and we’re committed to making our injury-prevention technology accessible to everyone. In the future, Elan aims to offer a customizable sole embedded with piezoelectric sensors, along with modular ankle sensors that can be purchased separately and fitted into any shoe of choice. This flexibility allows players to enjoy the protective benefits of Elan without compromising on their preferred footwear.
Each Elan technology owner will also have full access to the Elan app, enabling them to monitor real-time data on injury risk and performance insights seamlessly. By making advanced ankle protection versatile and customizable, Elan is set to redefine the future of injury prevention in sports.
Name
DIGITAL DESIGN RECORD PART 1
File Type
application
File Size
9 MB
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Name
DIGITAL DESIGN RECORD PART 2
File Type
application
File Size
10 MB
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Nice kellia UTUJE

Nice Kellia, as an industrial designer is dedicated to advancing user-centered, performance-driven solutions. Known for her bold, vibrant design sensibility, she combines functionality with cutting-edge technology to address real-world challenges, as seen in her latest project, Elan: an innovative injury-prevention sneaker for basketball. Nice’s work exemplifies her commitment to shaping impactful, industry-leading designs that push boundaries in the field of technology.