Carv is a system comprising a wearable device, a smartphone app, and sophisticated analysis algorithms to help skiers improve their technique.
MotionMetrics today announces the launch of Carv ? the world?s first ?digital ski coach?. Carv combines sensors ? retrofitted into ski boots to measure foot pressure and motion ? with a smartphone app, which processes data and delivers technique and performance analyses. Skiers receive feedback on their performance either on-screen, or in real-time through earphones or heads-up displays.
Carv is the first product of its kind to hit the mainstream, and can be ordered in advance through a new Kickstarter campaign, which seeks to raise $50,000 to grow the business.
The team behind the product initially tested their concept with over 1500 users through an app called LINES, which uses the motion sensors in smartphones to measure skiing technique. LINES received a warm reception with skiers, but the MotionMetrics team soon realised that they needed additional sensors to better capture the intricacies of skiing technique.
Having won a place on HAX, a prestigious hardware accelerator based in Shenzhen, China, the team were able to develop their unique pressure and motion sensing system. The sensors are based on a form factor skiers are already familiar with ? boot warmers ? and consist of a thin layer underneath the skier?s boot liner, connected to a battery and processing unit clipped onto the back of the boot.
To visualise skiing performance, the sensors can be used in conjunction with a suite of software features across platforms. Weight analysis, for instance, helps users spot common mistakes such as leaning too far back, whilst technique metrics are logged for each run, so users can track their performance as they improve, and even compete with other users.
For sophisticated skiers, Carv has a Carv Plus platform, which automatically synchronises video footage with the data, allowing instructors and coaches to scrutinize the video alongside the overlaid data.
MotionMetrics CEO Jamie Grant says:
The idea for Carv began when I was looking at how the recording and analysis of data can help people to do things better during my PhD. It was an academic problem that got out of hand!
Coming from a Physics background, I was particularly interested in the telemetry side of things ? looking at how you can measure movement. Then, whilst studying for a PhD in Financial Statistics, I worked on the data analysis side ? what can you actually do with those measurements once you?ve recorded them? As a keen skier myself, I soon started applying this to my experience on the slopes.
With Carv we feel like we?re really able to democratise the technology that?s currently only available to champion skiers ? it is the first product of its kind to be available to beginners and pros alike. We?re working on introducing a machine learning element too that can ?learn? about each individual skier and anticipate the mistakes that they are likely to make before they have even made them. Our Kickstarter campaign is just the first step towards world domination as we target the market of over 120 million people who go skiing every year.
The product has already had the seal of approval from Ski Cross World Champion Filip Flisar, who says:
Carv brings a new perspective to skiing. The pressure sensors allow you to see exactly what?s going on, and along with the mobile app it?s a great combination ? it really works!
About MotionMetrics
MotionMetrics creates digital coaching experiences. Its first hardware product, CARV, is a digital ski coach that analyses skier technique to provide actionable feedback. Carv retrofits into ski boots to measure foot pressure and orientation.
Carv connects to the skier?s smartphone to process data and deliver detailed analysis, either on screen after skiing or in real-time through earphones or heads-up displays.
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