Make each helmet magnetic (there are various ways to do this) with the same pole facing outward so the helmets repel each other when in close proximity. Based on initial tests, helmets approaching each other will slow in velocity and slightly alter their direction. This produces a glancing blow rather than a direct collision. Several physicists have verified the plausibility of this approach for significantly reducing the force during helmet collisions.
How did BrainSwarming find this solution?
The BrainSwarming process allowed Jim Pearson and me to easily uncover overlooked aspects of the problem.
Starting with our goal at the top of network, “reduce concussions,” we used our software to explode the goal into over two dozen ways of rewording it, including the following: reduce energy, absorb energy, minimize force, exchange forces, substitute energy, oppose energy, repel energy, lessen momentum, and alter direction. We grouped all the wordings into eight categories based on similarity (as shown in the figure below--a bit blurry but it shows the basic structure). We then examined the underexplored options. The first one to produce a breakthrough was repel energy--Jim had an aha moment! The verb repel is closely associated with magnets and this gave Jim the idea for a magnetic solution.
How did BrainSwarming find this solution?
The BrainSwarming process allowed Jim Pearson and me to easily uncover overlooked aspects of the problem.
Starting with our goal at the top of network, “reduce concussions,” we used our software to explode the goal into over two dozen ways of rewording it, including the following: reduce energy, absorb energy, minimize force, exchange forces, substitute energy, oppose energy, repel energy, lessen momentum, and alter direction. We grouped all the wordings into eight categories based on similarity (as shown in the figure below--a bit blurry but it shows the basic structure). We then examined the underexplored options. The first one to produce a breakthrough was repel energy--Jim had an aha moment! The verb repel is closely associated with magnets and this gave Jim the idea for a magnetic solution.
During the patenting process, Jim discovered that someone had submitted this idea just weeks before he did. We tip our hat to this person and I plan to interview him about his process of discovering it. In any case, with no expertise in this area we used BrainSwarming to easily uncover overlooked aspects of the problem and create a highly-promising solution.
For more on BrainSwarming, watch the Harvard Business Review video.
http://blogs.hbr.org/2014/03/why-you-should-stop-brainstorming/
Contact Tony McCaffrey (tony@innovationaccelerator.com) with any questions.
For more on BrainSwarming, watch the Harvard Business Review video.
http://blogs.hbr.org/2014/03/why-you-should-stop-brainstorming/
Contact Tony McCaffrey (tony@innovationaccelerator.com) with any questions.
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