MLB Postseason Proof of Concept with NTT's Ultra Reality Viewing

As the MLB postseason continues (not for us Braves fans). Quietly MLB and partner NTT, a global technology and business solutions leader rolled out a proof of concept viewing experiment during game 3 of the American League Division Series focusing on Ultra Reality Viewing Technology. The concept confirmed a real time, high def surround video fan experience which became the first for a live sporting event in the United States.

Ultra Reality Viewing transmits high definition video and wide angle viewing in real time. It combines 4K camera images into super-wide images such as 12K in real time. This generates video and audio that can not be generally captured; and provides a unique view of sports or events as if a person is in attendance.

MLB has continued to look at ways of pushing technology and viewing options from BAM, to Facebook and Twitter partnerships. The NTT and implementation of Kirari! technology will be fun to monitor in the upcoming season.

New Wave of Home Workouts

As Peleton’s IPO went public last week. I began to think of the disruption to the gym market. Truly, who wants to drive to the gym every morning or stand around and wait on machines to be open. Below are a few new options to enhance your home workouts.

Fight Camp

Fight Camp brings studio boxing to your home. It uses a 4’x6’ space that encompasses a Mat, Bag, wraps, Fight Camp Punch Tracker, and boxing gloves. It’s interactive videos are tailored from 15-45 mins. Allowing users to select experience level and learn from world class trainers. Check out their video.

Mirror

Mirror is just what you think. It uses a mirror that doubles as an interactive tool that you would think is from Minority Report. The mirror helps track your total body workout and gives real time target goals.

Ring Fit Adventure

As Nintendo continues to enhance their gaming (Mario Kart is moving to mobile). Nintendo created a adventure world that lets your defeat bodybuilding dragons by using real life exercises. A custom mode can also be created to create workouts and mix exercises and minigames. Ring Fit Adventure uses Ring-Con (TM) and Leg Strap accessories to track your movements.

How Drive Hockey Analytics is Helping Youth Sports through IoT

In recent weeks we have connected with Drive Hockey a company out of Canada that is focusing it’s technology on youth development. As a former athlete, training tools are imperative. The toughest thing in youth development is to grow your skills at a fast pace, but to begin to identify ways and methods that will take you to the next level. Whatever that next level may be.

What Drive Hockey Analytics has done is made development simple and easy. Using IoT technology, hockey players are able to track their movements on the ice, with their stick, and how they handle the puck. This is called the DRIVE system. The Drive system is made up of 3 tracking components: A DRIVE trackable truck, a DRIVE stick tag (which goes over the end of your hockey stick), and the Rink senors which monitor your movements.

With this technology players can start tracking stats each game and garner hard data on various aspects of their performance such as top speed, zone time, puck possession, shots, passes, etc. The system uses these metrics to analyze each players unique playing style.

For me, this is invaluable. A lot of times as a youth player the direction of your playing style is dictated by your coach, parents, or who you watch on TV. Using this DRIVE system truly gives everyone involved hard data that can be used. The toughest thing in youth sports is making sure the development is in sync-coaches, parents, and the player. This system allows for that. It takes away a lot of the guessing game that is involved in youth sports and will make getting better, easy.

Reach out if you would like to learn more information on Drive Hockey Analytics

Why Every NBA Twitter fan should use Pivot Analytics

Are you an NBA Twitter fan and want to get real nerdy on a Thursday night while you are watching Charles and Shaq fight each other?

Pivot Analysis is what you need. Pivot allows for users to track a player’s impact not just individual stats. For example if you wanted to show why Kevon Looney is so valuable to the Warriors. Pivot allows you to look at the overall context such as on/off spits or looking at best on court lineups; or if you wanted to criticize Steve Kerr’s lineup changes their data allows users to analyze the flow of a game and impact of a lineup change.

I caught up with Pivot Analysis CEO Morgan Flom as I wanted to understand more about the player aspect of the product. He noted, the analysis of data allows a player to be inward facing or outward facing. I thought that was really important. The ability to create data not only that benefits the player but that can be used to work with coaches or in recruiting. Another impressive data point is the difference or splits between crunch time, garbage time, or a normal period in a game. This is one of the cooler stats I have seen. I think all sports need more data around clutch and or pivotal moments and Pivot makes it easy to extrapolate.

I had a great time reviewing. I can’t wait to use it during the NBA season.

Why States challenging the NCAA is a big deal for the Sports Tech

In past weeks states such as South Carolina, California, and New York are passing legislation aimed at allowing student athletes to make money off of their likeness. The big portion of these bills is the media function. If you are a student athlete current former disregard this next part. When you sign your scholarship tender (which is on a one year basis) there is a clause that states that the NCAA and or institution can use your image for marketing purposes. The states are challenging this, stating that if you allow for student athletes to make money off of their likeness. It would include marketing material put out by the NCAA and institutions.

What does that mean for sports tech companies. It could be monumental. Student athletes especially in revenue sports or revenue athletes (Olympians) there is huge opportunity. From the data perspective, companies like Opendorse that focus on maximizing brand and marketing opportunities. It truly is limitless, which is why the NCAA is going to fight teeth and nail to restrict the states as much as possible. We will follow every state and updates. Continue to follow along with us.