Part 4/8:
Research indicates that most brain injuries result from the cumulative effect of numerous minor hits rather than a single devastating blow. Recognizing this, Teevens sought to drastically cut down on these repetitive impacts during training sessions. However, this raised a practical challenge: how could players simulate the realism of game scenarios without tackling?
To address this, Dartmouth collaborated with engineering experts—most notably John Currier from the Thayer School of Engineering—to develop the Mobile Virtual Player (MVP). This robotic device mimics the movement of live opponents and provides a safe, moving target for drills.