In-Depth Summary of the Podcast with George Sun
Overview
In episode 13 of the Stay Connected podcast, Chase interviews George Sun, CEO of Nextiles. Nextiles is a material science company innovating the next generation of wearable technology. George shares his journey from electrical engineering at UC Berkeley to bioengineering at MIT, culminating in the creation of Nextiles. The discussion covers the transition from physical therapy applications to elite sports, the importance of natural movement data, challenges in startup development, and the future direction of the company.
Key Points
1. Introduction to Nextiles
- Background: George studied electrical engineering at UC Berkeley and completed his PhD in bioengineering at MIT, focusing on material science. His diverse academic background and experience at Puma laid the foundation for Nextiles.
- Company Vision: Nextiles aims to integrate intelligence from hard devices like phones and computers into wearable fabrics, allowing seamless and non-intrusive monitoring of human motion.
2. Transition from Physical Therapy to Sports:
- Initial Focus: Nextiles initially targeted physical therapy, aiming to aid in rehabilitation and preventative care for injuries such as ACL tears and gait impairments.
- Shift to Sports: The company transitioned to elite sports to collect high-quality data from top athletes. This data helps in understanding optimal movement patterns, which can then be applied to injury prevention and rehabilitation.
3. Importance of Natural Movement Data:
- Seamless Integration: Nextiles technology allows for the collection of movement data in natural environments, avoiding the artificial settings of traditional labs with cameras and sensors.
- Enhanced Data Quality: By capturing data during real-world activities, the information is more representative of natural biomechanics, leading to better insights and applications.
4. Challenges and Insights in Startup Development:
- User Experience: George emphasizes the importance of understanding and adapting to user behavior. For instance, the initial assumption that users would wear the arm sleeve correctly was challenged by real-world usage, leading to improvements in design and instructions.
- Internal Team Education: It was crucial to educate the engineering team on sports terminology and the practicalities of athletic performance. This was achieved through proactive communication, including internal blog posts and simulations of user journeys.
5. Future Directions for Nextiles:
- Becoming a Data Company: While Nextiles excels in hardware innovation, the future focus is on becoming a data-centric company. The goal is to license the technology and aggregate data to provide valuable insights across various sports and activities.
- Expanding Sports Portfolio: Nextiles aims to apply its technology to a wider range of sports, including running, soccer, volleyball, and tennis. The versatility of their plug-and-play technology allows for easy adaptation to different sports with minor adjustments in algorithms.
6. Personal and Professional Growth:
- Continuous Learning: George highlights the importance of partnering with experts in different fields to continuously improve and adapt. He values the relationships built with partners like Connected Performance to enhance Nextiles' offerings.
7. Philosophy on Movement and Data Collection:
- Holistic Approach: Nextiles strives to collect both data and metadata to provide a comprehensive picture of an athlete's performance. This includes tracking activities, environmental conditions, and personal metrics to offer personalized insights.
- Educational Impact: The company aims to educate users by providing detailed, individualized feedback based on extensive data collection and analysis.
8. Community and Industry Collaboration:
- Building Relationships: George stresses the importance of collaboration with industry experts to leverage their knowledge and improve Nextiles' products. This approach helps in creating more effective and user-friendly solutions.
Resources to Dive Into
1. Material Science and Wearable Technology:
- Nextiles Website: Explore Nextiles' innovative products and solutions for wearable technology.
- Research Papers: Academic publications on advancements in material science and wearable tech.
2. Podcasts and Interviews:
- Stay Connected Podcast: Episodes featuring experts discussing the intersection of sports, technology, and biomechanics.
3. Books on Design and User Experience:
- "The Design of Everyday Things" by Don Norman: Insights into user-centered design and how to create intuitive products.
4. Practical Guides:
- Nextiles Programs: Practical applications and training programs using Nextiles technology.
- Interactive Training Resources: Videos and tutorials demonstrating the use of Nextiles products in various sports.
Contact Information
- Nextiles Website: [Nextiles](https://www.nextiles.tech)
- LinkedIn: [George Sun](https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-sun-nextiles)
For further questions or to discuss wearable technology and material science, George can be contacted through the above channels.