Oakley and Intel have produced a new kind of smart sports gear, trading augmented or mixed reality for voice control and virtual coaching by way of audio.
Released last week, the Radar Pace, using smart technology and an app, “collects and analyzes personal performance data and delivers real-time feedback, instruction, and motivation based on performance,” Oakley’s product site reads. For a total price tag of $450, the glasses will also respond to user questions, allowing athletes to communicate with the system in a live, natural way during workouts.
Utilizing sensors that include an integrated gyroscope, accelerometer, and barometer/pressure sensor monitors, users will be able to accurately gain feedback on their workout performance, letting them adjust in real-time or improve for their next workout.
Radar Pace puts together complete workout plans, letting users set goals for endurance, strength, and speed, and will change based on how you’re faring. The built-in AI will even account for missed workouts, holding users accountable by adjusting for the days you just can’t get yourself out of bed and into your exercise gear.
While the glasses don’t require external sensors, ANT+ or Bluetooth Low Energy-enabled sensors “can enhance the coaching experience by providing heart rate, cycling power, cycling cadence, and other metrics.”
The AI coach provides instant feedback while it records data. The hands-free nature of the voice assistant provides an immediate benefit for athletes, allowing for a seamless integration with workout routines without any interruption.
Other integrations allow users, via the glasses to listen to music from their phones, answer calls, and even interact with Siri or Google Now. While engagement with the paired mobile app is not required during workouts, the app provides an in-depth summary of the workout, including feedback and exercise performance recorded by the Radar Pace and other paired sensors.
