Students Win James Dyson Award for Device That Screens Students for Concussions in Just 60 Seconds
In a groundbreaking development, three Harvard students—Cleo Pontone, Radhika Saran, and Sophia DeVito—have created 'Rumble Rims,' a low-cost, eye-tracking headset that screens for concussions in just 60 seconds, earning them the prestigious James Dyson Award for 2026. The device addresses a critical gap in sports safety by providing real-time, objective data to help coaches make informed decisions about athlete welfare, particularly in the high-stakes moments of competitive play. With the CDC reporting that a significant percentage of high school athletes experience concussions annually, this invention offers a timely and accessible solution, removing the reliance on subjective sideline checks and expensive clinical systems.
The Rumble Rims headset uses infrared technology to track eye movements, providing a clear, objective measure of potential neurological disruption without requiring a controlled environment. This innovation is informed by extensive user research and testing, aiming to simplify concussion assessments for coaches while maintaining accuracy. The project highlights a meaningful collaboration between students, coaches, and medical professionals, showcasing the power of interdisciplinary work in tackling real-world problems. The team plans to continue refining the technology and hopes to see it implemented widely in schools and youth sports programs, underscoring their commitment to athlete safety and health.
Constructive analysis
The constructive-journalism lens: not just what happened, but what works.
- The problem
- The challenge of quickly and accurately diagnosing concussions in youth sports, where traditional methods are either subjective or costly.
- The actions
- The students developed a portable, low-cost headset that uses eye-tracking technology to provide objective concussion assessments directly on the sidelines.
- Evidence of progress
- The invention won the James Dyson Award 2026 for the United States, and the CDC highlights the need for improved concussion assessment tools given the high incidence of sports-related concussions among youth.
- What we can learn
- Others can learn from this example of leveraging interdisciplinary collaboration and user-centered design to create practical solutions that address real-world health and safety issues.
PERMA profile of this story
How this story scores across the PERMA dimensions.
- Positive Emotion
- 8
- Engagement
- 9
- Relationships
- 8
- Meaning
- 9
- Accomplishment
- 10
Character strengths in play
Top VIA strengths this story embodies.
Perseverance
The team plans to build and test a higher-fidelity headset prototype, refine the oculomotor test and validate the system with athletes, coaches, trainers, and medical advisors.
Curiosity
The team's sideline-first design process was shaped by user research with athletes, coaches, medical professionals, and physical therapists.
Kindness
We wanted to give coaches, athletes, and families clearer information at the exact moment of risk, said Saran, co-creator of Rumble Rims.
Try this today
Consider how you can apply interdisciplinary thinking to a problem you face. Identify a challenge in your life or community, gather insights from diverse fields, and brainstorm creative solutions that integrate different perspectives and expertise.