The IoT Meets Sports

The Internet of Things is rapidly expanding, with innovative new applications appearing on a daily basis.

One of the coolest areas taking advantage of the progression of IoT technology is the sports industry. Professional organizations are gathering real-time analytics through a variety of monitoring mediums, and in turn using the data to refine strategy and improve individual athlete performance.

The IoT in sports isn’t solely limited to professionals, however. Recreational and action sports enthusiasts can now go out and purchase cutting-edge devices and applications to make their fun-time activities even livelier. From soccer players and snowboarders to bike riders and hikers, there’s an affordable and practical IoT-infused product for every level of athlete.

Here’s where the convergence of IoT and sports has caught my eye:

WATSON

You can’t discuss IoT and analytics without highlighting the work IBM has done in the field with its Watson engine. IBM has brought client success to USA Cycling and Wimbledon, among others, by offering valuable performance data and insights.

Earlier this year, IBM powered a connected soccer match at Cannes Lions with notable participants like Abby Wambach and Mia Hamm. Every touch, step, kick and goal was tracked via an ankle band on each player, and then fed into a dashboard. The benefit of having this real-time tracking capability for a professional team is tremendous. Meanwhile, charity tournaments could utilize the data to encourage competition and fundraising, e.g. the player with the most steps will receive a monetary award to be sent to the charity of his or her choice.

The Watson IoT Platform offers developers a space to develop their own API, similar to how Tracker Now is looking to bring open-source API development to its customers.

OAKLEY

Eyewear brand Oakley has aligned itself with sports over the years by going beyond traditional sunglasses, producing snowboard goggles, runner-focused and baseball-specific shades. Memorably, former Boston Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez was disciplined a few years ago for wearing Oakley shades with built-in headphones and mp3 storage…during a game!

Earlier today, Oakley released Radar Pace sunglasses, which it produced in partnership with Intel. The smartglasses “feature a real-time voice activated coaching system” that is prompted by users asking a question. The voice interaction, powered by Intel’s Real Speech, is something I have to try for myself. Trying to figure out how fast I’m running has always been a mystery for me, and I’ve looked into watches and apps in the past to help answer. But having the answer come to me just by asking? That’s the epitome of convenience.

Of course, Oakley and Intel went further. Per a recent joint press release, the high tech shades track power output, heart rate, speed, cadence, time, pace and distance, and spits this info to audio coaching. Maybe for better or worse, it also offers custom running or cycling programs in its app and – get this - will adjust your program if you skip a workout. That’s an unheard of level of personal accountability demanded from an otherwise simple piece of technology.

Tracker Now

Thinking about Tracker Now’s place in the sports industry, it’s clear that we have a product that makes sense to integrate in a variety of ways.

For personal tracking, having a Tracker Now keeping watch on your equipment is logical.

With winter coming up, I have my eye on skiing and snowboarding. When taking a break from the slopes, skis and boards are left in a communal area and, while it’s nice to believe in the honor system of the mountain, there are shady people out there with no problem taking your $500 baby. Locking up equipment would be an easy solution, except that it requires you to take a lock and key with you everywhere. That’s uncomfortable to carry and impractical…and wire cutters could still spoil the day.

Having Tracker Now revealing a board’s location on demand is security for modern times. What more, using Tracker Now’s built-in alert speaker to locate your board amongst the hundreds piled together outside a lodge is ridiculously handy. Less time locating, more time playing; I love it.

For analytics, Tracker Now is capable of monitoring features like those offered by Oakley and IBM, such as heart rate and pace. Opening Tracker Now to custom-built API’s means the device is built to adapt with the times and integrate with new technology as it’s created. These are exciting times we live in where IoT has enabled us to make almost any two objects coordinate with each other and offer functionality.

What’s Next?

The sports world believes that personal growth is limitless, and hard work and dedication are the only things standing between an individual and success. Tracker Now loves that philosophy and encourages limitless thought when it comes to our product’s ever-increasing applications. As the cliché goes: If you can dream it, you can achieve it. So let’s keep dreaming and keep achieving!