Hydra - Sport Innovation

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Launching hydration spheres directly into the action.

Keeping hydrated is key to human life. Without water and essential nutrients we cannot perform at our peaks, whatever we do.

Hydra is a liquid distribution system that swiftly and accurately delivers hydration whenever and wherever it is needed in play. Hydra launches prefilled, biodegradable spheres containing the precise amount of water and electrolytes needed for intense sport sessions where windows for rehydration are few and far between.

In the future, Hydra moves into the public domain, providing refreshments on demand in stadiums, on the street and in local parks. Hydra, enabling you to play at your peak.

You are moving into the final third of the game, the pressure is rising, knowing that one goal is all it could take to decide the game. That one lapse in concentration by either side could define the winner in a fraction of time. A fraction of time, the ball goes out of play, you raise your hand, circulating your arm to signal to the sidelines. Immediately, you’ve got what you need, an instant feeling of refreshment. The right amount of fluid to keep you hydrated for the most important twenty minutes of your performance.

Hydra is a system of hydration sphere launchers positioned in sports where the windows for rehydration are few and far between. Sports like football and rugby have a mixture of breaks but often interrupt the flow of play and cannot be taken advantage of. It is essential to understand that it is too late to maintain your performance when you feel thirsty, so signalling at regular intervals ensures that an optimum amount of fluids are in your system. Hydra will recognise and grid athletes’ positions in the field, calculating the closest launcher to the athlete. Once the signal is made, the system processes the gesture, knowing which player it is and in the blink of an eye it launches it towards the athletes hands.

The spheres contain 150ml of liquid, the optimum amount for hydration at regular intervals. This amount can be represented as the size of a tennis ball. Once the player receives the sphere, the skin is similar to that of a grape, so a player can ‘open’ the package on any side. The packaging will be biodegradable, with the vision that empty spheres instantaneously filter into the playing surface. It is key that even though the spheres form significantly reduces once the liquid is consumed that the packaging does not interfere with play in any way.
Within sport, Hydra not only provides hydration for players but by knowing which player it is delivering the spheres to, possibilities open up to customise the spheres: a colour that could be a code for a change in tactic, specific mixtures for athlete requirements or medical fluids to effectively deal with minor injuries.

Imagine, beyond sport a system whereby you are walking down the street, it is a stifling hot day, you walk into the local park, perform your own customised gesture and in seconds receive your favourite refreshment .The future of refreshment delivery in the public and private sectors could be redefined by the introduction of Hydra launchers on buildings, in local parks, at concerts, festivals and for spectators at stadium events. Providing these spheres in public spaces would reduce the use of plastic bottles and the time found waiting in queues or in need of a store.
We imagine that to have a service in and out of sport that offers liquids on demand can take individuals to a higher level; ensuring athletes can maintain their top performance and that people can keep refreshed wherever they are.