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I'm looking for some feedback and/or signs of interest for some ski technology a couple of guys and I have developed. We've built a sensor unit that retrofits into ski boots and measures the pressure distribution and motion of the skis during a run. The sensor unit connects to a boot-mounted unit which wirelessly communicates with the skier's smartphone. Here's a picture of our current prototype:
This technology is designed to help skiers learn about their technique, and to give instructors and coaches precise information which can be used in their lessons. We've tested our prototypes with a few highly competitive skiers and instructors in the Alps, and have received a positive response so far!
We're now wondering if this technology is of any interest to the skiing community at large, so please do leave us some feedback, and feel free to ask any questions! Thank you!
More information about the technology:
The sensor unit has numerous pressure sensors, allowing us to determine the pressure distribution between the left and right feet, distinguish between heel and toe pressure etc (it's pretty awesome). Here's a quick demonstration using a heat map: http://youtube.com/v/oU_23QUxl0Q
We're also developing a mobile application that analyses the measured data and provides feedback about the skier's technique. For instance, we can prompt the skier (in real-time!) to put their weight forward when we detect them leaning too far backwards. Over time, the app can generate a profile for the skier, which can be used to suggest training goals.
We are also looking into gamifying ski drills to make them both more quantifiable and enjoyable. We could provide simple goals such as "make 10 turns" and track their progress using through the sensors. The app could then score the drill based on a suitable metric, have leaderboards and friendly competitions to encourage doing drills!
We are very excited about this technology and its potential, and we hope you are too! Please let us know what you think, thank you!
