Virginia Tech football helmets monitor hits wirelessly

While the Virginia Tech Hokies tend to rely more on dazzling special teams teams play than sheer defensive prowess, the players take a lickin' regardless. In a presumed extension of Beamer Ball, the sparkly helmets donned by the football squad will sport internal accelerometers and wireless transmitters that beam (ahem) information about the seriousness of each blow to a Sybase database in order to tell if and when a certain player has had enough. The primary objective is to prevent any long-term injuries and detect concussions before individuals can even realize they're hurt, and an interesting byproduct of the system has shown what types of thwacks are typically sustained at different positions. The HITS (head impact telemetry system) technology could reportedly be used in places like the battlefield as well, or moreover, rigorous rounds of Wii Boxing -- but we're sure WVU's Punchstat system is already on top of that.

[Photo courtesy of VT]

[kizildere @ Apr 13th 2007 3:07AM]

Cool. VT Alumni here. Got an idea, they can fix the crappy, slow, unreliable BUT expensive internet in Blacksburg next.

[Andrew Stone @ Apr 13th 2007 3:46AM]

If the NFL doesn't pick this up, something is really wrong.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2782445

[David @ Apr 13th 2007 7:55AM]

Never posted here before, although I've been reading for some time now....
While I appreciate this being made aware to a larger audience this has been around down at Tech for *years*. I'm not sure why it's being posted as some sort of breakthrough.

[Mayur @ Apr 13th 2007 8:51AM]

I think 'We' need to find some technique to hasten the reaction time of our esteemed quarterback. Any prosthetics out there???

[govkid201 @ Apr 13th 2007 9:50AM]

yay! virginia tech! this isn't exactly cutting edge news. they've been talking about this and implementing this for several months. just one more reason why virginia tech is the best.

[Jonathan @ Apr 13th 2007 11:32AM]

I concur, the Hokies are the best

[Sam @ Apr 13th 2007 1:19PM]

yeah... I'm, a current Hokie player, we have been playing around with this during spring ball. It's ok, nothing that impressive. Many of the players aren't wearing the helmets tho.

[s3raph1rn @ Apr 13th 2007 2:07PM]

Umm First slow internet? Were a backbone for the Lambda Railway/Internet 2! I mean we are kinda running System X.

Next old tech true but interesting non the less.

Finally our QB needs to man up and THROW THE DAMN BALL.

Thanks engadget, i love seeing my school in the news!

[Mayur @ Apr 13th 2007 2:28PM]

Yeah get our QB some peripherial vision.....so he can see the pressure coming.........

[kg4gyt @ Apr 13th 2007 6:26PM]

We're not on the backbone, we tie into a system thats right on the backbone, and our on campus internet is still really slow compared to other schools.

[Chris @ Apr 13th 2007 2:59PM]

Now all Tech needs is a system that can tell them when their QB is about to stomp on an opposing player's leg or flick off the opposing teams fans...

[hokie1745 @ Apr 13th 2007 3:40PM]

as i understood it this has been implemented for quite a while now... But i do agree with the other people who wish it would help our quarterbacks decision making skills... seriously 4 turnovers in the bowl game last year... WTF

[Mayur @ Apr 13th 2007 4:25PM]

Its easier to replace the QB....n bout the stamping of foot and flicking well do u c it now???

[dan @ Apr 13th 2007 7:11PM]

lets go!......HOKIES!

[Virginia Tech student @ Apr 18th 2007 12:49AM]

Yeah we're all really shocked by the recent shootings at Virginia Tech. We don't know if the immediate response by the administration was sufficient to contain the threat, and it's unclear what exactly motivated the killer. Now all we can do is mourn for the victims... http://ludogo.linda-errol.com