Student Invention Revolutionizes Concussion Screening

Three Harvard students have developed Rumble Rims, an innovative infrared headset designed to screen athletes for concussions in approximately 60 seconds. This technology brings objective eye-tracking data from clinical settings directly to the sports sidelines, aiming to assist coaches and families in making faster decisions about player safety.

The Rumble Rims system includes a portable infrared headset, a mobile display for coaches, and a recovery dashboard. The headset uses infrared cameras to capture eye movements during a short oculomotor task. This data is translated into real-time guidance, highlighting potential neurological disruptions that may warrant removal from play and professional medical evaluation.

This invention, named the 2026 US winner of the James Dyson Award and receiving a $6,500 prize, addresses the persistent concern of concussions in youth sports. Current sideline assessments often rely on subjective symptom checklists and balance tests, which can be unreliable. Rumble Rims aims to provide a more objective screening tool.

Further development and validation are planned with the prize money. The team intends to build a higher-fidelity prototype, refine the oculomotor test, and validate the system with athletes and medical professionals. Their long-term goal is to pilot Rumble Rims with schools and youth sports programs, pursue medical-device validation, and ultimately make objective concussion screening accessible on every sideline.