Industrial Design

The project explores the use of LED light stimuli as a training tool to improve perception and reaction times, ultimately reducing the risk of dangerous collisions.

Through continuous prototype testing and refinement, Brain-Buddy aims to provide new insights into cognitive training and injury prevention in ice hockey and potentially other contact sports.

To gain a deeper insight into the research and development of the first prototype, we spoke to the project's leader Lukas Grauwiler.

What was your main goal when you first started your research project?

For the Junior Design in Research application, we wanted to gain a fundamental understanding of how light pulses are perceived on the ice in the context of ice hockey. Our key questions were: How are these impulses perceived?
The primary goal at this stage was to explore the potential of light stimuli as a training tool and validate the concept in early testing.

How did you approach the development process?

The first phase involved an extensive literature review - analysing around 25-30 scientific papers and summarising the key ones. Studies across various sports, including football, hockey, Formula 1, tennis, and basketball, suggested that reaction times could be trained using light stimuli.This research provided a strong theoretical basis for the development of an initial prototype, which was then tested under real conditions.

What made on-ice testing essential, and how did you set up the experiment?

As ice hockey is a fast-paced, dynamic sport, the effectiveness of the light stimuli needed to be evaluated under real game conditions. To achieve this, we developed the first prototype, a control system that allowed two LED lights to be attached to each player's helmet. This setup allowed us to precisely control and adjust the light pulses during movement.
We conducted preliminary tests with junior players at the Swiss Life Arena in three sessions of five participants each. The aim was to observe initial reactions, gather feedback and refine the core concept. The response was overwhelmingly positive - the players quickly engaged with the system and perceived the training as a game-like experience.
The exercises were designed to develop key cognitive functions such as peripheral vision, selective attention, visual-motor reaction time and multitasking. Within minutes, players adapted to the light stimuli and responded effectively. Through continuous feedback-driven testing, we were able to fine-tune critical parameters such as frequency, brightness and colour to optimise the training experience.

But how does Brain-Buddy differentiate itself from existing solutions?

Current training methods using light stimuli are mostly static, applied in weight rooms, physiotherapy, or medical settings, where athletes react to fixed light signals. The idea behind Brain-Buddy, however, is a mobile system that integrates directly into the movement of the athlete. It actively enhances perception and reaction time in real game situations.

What are the next development steps?

At this stage, Brain-Buddy remains in the prototype phase, focusing on proving its underlying concept rather than finalizing its design. The next step will be to integrate sensors to improve adaptability and real-time responsiveness, making the system more intelligent and practical for wider applications. Future iterations will refine the form, usability and overall effectiveness based on research and testing.

Could Brain-Buddy be applied beyond ice hockey?

While my primary focus remains on ice hockey, our research points to potential applications in other sports where reaction time is critical. American football, skiing and other high-speed sports could benefit from a mobile, light-based training system. In addition, Brain-Buddy could have applications outside of sport, such as in rehabilitation, where patients could use the system in familiar environments rather than being restricted to clinical settings.

As an evolving project, Brain-Buddy is still in the development phase. To further develop its potential, the current prototype serves as an important step in refining the concept, gathering data and informing the next iteration.