Science and engineering trends in the $600 billion global sports industry will be highlighted tomorrow when some of the world's leading sports technology experts meet at RMIT University.
The “Global Trends in Sports Products Customisation Forum” on Thursday, 18 September, is presented by SportzEdge, a research program of the RMIT Platform Technologies Research Institute.
Program leader, Professor Aleksandar Subic, said the forum would bring together expertise from around the globe on topics ranging from the functional design of running shoes to the customisation of sports surfaces.
“Customisation of personalised products is the new frontier in the sports and leisure industry and through the SportzEdge program, RMIT is at the forefront of the booming global demand for research in this field,” Professor Subic said.
Speakers at the forum include:
• Philippe Freychat, Research and Development Director, DECATHLON
Dr Freychat has spent a decade as R&D director with sporting and leisure goods giant Decathlon. He has a PhD in footwear biomechanics and is the founder and past president of the French Sports Engineering Association.
Dr Freychat will speak about Decathlon's product design and development processes, detailing how the company manages mass-customisation of its products.
• Troy Flanagan, Director of Sports Science, US Ski and Snowboard Association
An RMIT graduate, Mr Flanagan leads sports science initiatives for the US Olympic team in the lead up to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
His work involves collaborations on technology development with organisations such as NASA, MIT and the US defence forces.
Mr Flanagan will speak about the science and technology behind the US Ski Team.
The “Global Trends in Sports Products Customisation Forum” is at RMIT's Kaleide Theatre, Swanston St, Melbourne, from 9am to 5pm, on Thursday, 18 September.