SXSWorld
Issue link: https://sxsw.uberflip.com/i/211359
time in order to compare pre-injury and post-injury conditions. The company's X-patch, which is the size of a quarter and is placed just behind the ear, registers not only the power and angle of a dangerous blow, but also monitors the baseline indicators of concussion and alerts coaches and trainers when those symptoms appear. The Austin, Texas-based company Alexo is working with high school football coaches across Texas to conduct a spring 2014 pilot program in which it will embed its sensor and data management prototypes in players' helmets. "Alexo will manage the cloud-based platform for data management and intelligence generation," says Chief Operating Officer Ravi Rao. He says the company also has developed mouthguards that offer the same technology and will be ideal for athletes who do not typically wear helmets in their sports. "Besides the detection system, we are creating an advanced padding technology inside the helmet based on nanotube technology," says Alexo CEO Pierre Touma. "It's still under development, but we will have a first-generation padding technology soon." As of yet, there is nothing that Touma or others in concussion science have come up with that will prevent concussion, he says. "But if you're detecting the cause (and the frequency), then you can take preventive measures. The idea ultimately is to provide a comprehensive sports solution to satisfy the coach, the player and the trainer." n SXsports Takes the Field in March New for SXSW 2014 is SXsports, a sportsfocused track of panel programming and film screenings taking place March 7–9, 2014. This event will highlight the innovation, creativity, competition and storytelling that draw so many people to the exciting world of sports, through the culture and technology filter only SXSW can provide. SXsports programming will be Convergent and open to all SXSW Interactive, Film, Gold and Platinum registrants. Check out sxsw.com/sxsports for more info. DON JUAN MOORE/ESPN IMAGES Grantland's Bill Simmons will speak at SXsports 2014. SXSWORLD / NOVEMBER 2013 29