From an ambitious idea to an innovative sports training product, Airquee’s partnership with Shadowman Sports demonstrates what can happen when great product design meets specialist inflatable manufacturing.
When Shadowman Sports needed a manufacturing partner capable of turning its innovative training concept into reality, it turned to Airquee.
After approaching several internationally recognised inflatable manufacturers without success, Shadowman Sports brought its concept to the Airquee design team - beginning a highly successful collaboration with Shadowman creator JP Hartigan.
Shadowman is an innovative inflatable tackling mannequin designed to give players a realistic target during training. The concept can be used across a range of contact sports, including American Football, Rugby and Australian Rules Football, helping players develop and practise tackling techniques without requiring another player to act as the opponent.
Bringing the concept to life required much more than simply manufacturing an inflatable.
Airquee worked closely with Shadowman Sports throughout the product development, simulation, prototyping and manufacturing process, interpreting the original idea and developing it into a product suitable for the sports market.
The Shadowman project highlights Airquee's capabilities as an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and its ability to develop completely new inflatable products for customers.
Central to the project's success was Airquee's experienced design team, combined with its ability to understand the customer's objectives, rapidly develop prototypes and continually refine the product and manufacturing process.
Airquee's extensive manufacturing capabilities also meant the team could focus on achieving the right balance of performance, quality and cost for the finished product. To see the Shadowman concept in action click here.
