Type of Innovation
In regards to Innovation Theory, there are four core types of innovation; Product Innovation, Process Innovation, Radical Innovation and Incremental Innovation. Analyzing the Speedo LZR Racer, we have deemed the product a combination of product and process innovation, as highlighted below.
Despite there being many swimsuits, from a number of competitors, available in the market, Speedo has already shown their market leading status through the 2004 Athens Olympics. Athletes who wore the FastSkin II (FSII) benefited greatly from its innovative design with over 46 medals being won in the suit. With the Speedo LZR racer being developed 4 years later, the revolutionary technology behind the product allowed the suit to stand out significantly from all competitors. Futhermore, the difference between the LZR and the original FastSkin, created back in 2000 highlights the products incremental innovation ability. Worldwide support from top athletes such as Rebbecca Addlington and Michael Phelps reflect just how incredible this product innovation is.
The process innovation of Speedo's LZR Racer suit lies within the development procedures of its FastSkin product range. The Speedo Aqualab team who helped engineer the LZR suit was a collaboration of individuals from a number of specialized sectors, such as garment engineers, material experts and science specialists. The main benefit of the LZR suit was the significant reduction in both skin friction and hydrodynamic drag in the body, however a key factor in achieving this success was introduction and implementation of space engineering throughout the product innovation process. As highlighted in our Partnership with NASA section, the Aqualab team made the most out of their new fabrics by testing them in NASA's wind tunnel, allowing the suit to be adaptable to different body shapes and sizes. Speedo's ability to innovate in terms of their design processes in turn allowed their own product innovation to occur.
The process innovation of Speedo's LZR Racer suit lies within the development procedures of its FastSkin product range. The Speedo Aqualab team who helped engineer the LZR suit was a collaboration of individuals from a number of specialized sectors, such as garment engineers, material experts and science specialists. The main benefit of the LZR suit was the significant reduction in both skin friction and hydrodynamic drag in the body, however a key factor in achieving this success was introduction and implementation of space engineering throughout the product innovation process. As highlighted in our Partnership with NASA section, the Aqualab team made the most out of their new fabrics by testing them in NASA's wind tunnel, allowing the suit to be adaptable to different body shapes and sizes. Speedo's ability to innovate in terms of their design processes in turn allowed their own product innovation to occur.