Introduction

Imagine the swift deployment of car airbags protecting drivers in the blink of an eye. Now, what if we could bring that life-saving technology to knee injuries?

The Brain Behind the Innovation

Enter Kylin Shaw, a former basketball prospect who turned his unfortunate injury into an innovative solution aimed at preventing crucial ligament tears. Shaw's startup, Hippos Exoskeleton, is developing an innovative "knee sleeve" that not only monitors the stress on the knee joint but also inflates around it upon detecting dangerous movements, providing immediate protection against injuries such as ACL and MCL tears. Impressively, these airbags deploy in just 30 milliseconds—quicker than the average time it takes for an ACL injury to occur.

From Personal Setback to Entrepreneurial Journey

Shaw's passion for basketball runs deep, having dedicated a decade of his life to training. However, his aspirations came crashing down at the age of 17 when he experienced a devastating knee injury while attempting a dunk. The popping sound from his knee was a moment that halted his dreams but sparked a groundbreaking idea. He envisioned a product that combined artificial intelligence and reactive protection: the "knee-bag." In pursuit of this vision, he decided to leave the London School of Economics to focus entirely on developing the technology.

The Technology Behind the Knee Sleeve

Hippos Exoskeleton's design incorporates AI-driven predictive technology that awaits high-risk movements—promptly activating the airbag system to cushion strikes to the knee area. This could potentially save athletes from costly medical bills associated with knee injuries, which could run into thousands of dollars.

Funding and Market Interest

Initially, Shaw and co-founder Bhavy Metakar took a bold leap by investing $1,000 of their personal savings to create a prototype and connections with clinics and athletes. Their efforts have paid off; the startup has successfully raised $642,000 in pre-seed funding from investors, including Possible Ventures and Silicon Roundabout Ventures.

Consumer Demand and Pricing

Shaw shared that Hippos has already garnered over six figures in pre-orders, demonstrating strong market demand. The expected retail price for the knee sleeve will be approximately $129, along with a monthly subscription plan ranging from $29 to $99 to cover AI-driven insights, mini air canisters for inflation, and features for workout tracking.

Broad Applications Beyond Athletes

The innovative knee sleeve is not just limited to high-performance athletes; it has practical applications for a broader audience, including workers in physically demanding jobs and the elderly who may be at risk of falls and knee injuries.

The Importance of Injury Prevention

With around 150,000 ACL injuries reported annually in the U.S. alone, and an estimated 8.6 million cases worldwide, there is a pressing need for preventive measures. Current injury solutions are predominantly focused on rehabilitation rather than proactive prevention, leaving a significant gap in the market. Traditional protective devices from companies like Enovis, ExoKinetics, and Shock Doctor primarily assist with injury management rather than addressing injury prevention through the kind of predictive technology that Hippos offers.

Future Collaborations and Testing

The startup is also seeking to partner with professional teams and has already conducted trials with U.K. football clubs and world-class athletes, including U.S. Ski Team champion Alex Schlopy. Schlopy praised the product, noting its lightweight design and a sense of psychological safety it provides.

Conclusion

With the unique positioning of their technology and the push towards a full-launch planned for the upcoming months, Hippos Exoskeleton could not only redefine how we think of joint protection in sports but may also serve as a vital tool for injury prevention across various demographics. The future of safe sports and active lifestyles may very well be padded with a little more air.