Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Wearables
  3. News

How’s your swing? New multi-sport motion sensors focus on performance, not biometric data

By

new sport sensors by piq multi wearable
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Wearables are a huge and growing industry. While the Apple Watch is still the center of attention in this area, it is really the tip of an iceberg. In fact, if you wanted to, you could put on an entire outfit of smartwear, and monitor every aspect of how your body is ticking.

If you’re more interested in your sports performance than in your body’s performance, however, you have the option of smart sports gear, like smart racket attachments and mouth guards, along with a line of sensor soon to be offered by PIQ, a firm that is seeking to move this area forward. “We are at the cusp of an integrated sport and technology era,” said Cédric Mangaud, PIQ’s co-founder and CEO.

Recommended Videos

Because many sports brands don’t have cutting-edge technology chops, they need partners — and that is the niche PIQ is aiming to fill.

PIQ

PIQ has received Series-A funding to the tune of US$5.5 million from FIH Mobile, Ginko Ventures, Robolution Capital I, Swisscom Ventures and others. FIH Mobile Ltd is a member of Foxconn Technology Group focused on mobile manufacturing. Ginko Ventures was founded this year as a venture capital firm with a limited partnership with Foxconn and an eye for technologies. Managed by Orkos Capital SAS, Robolution Capital I is the first private equity fund focused on service robotics investments, mainly in Europe.

PIQ is partnering with three sports brand manufacturers in beginning in the summer of 2015. Calvin Chih, CEO of FIH Mobile Ltd, in commenting on its partnership, said, “We are excited to work with Cedric and the PIQ team.”

1 of 2
new sport sensors by piq charger
Image used with permission by copyright holder
new sport sensors by piq sensor internals
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Designed by Octonion in Switzerland, the multi-sport motion trackers being offered by PIQ have been in development for two years. Instead of delivering biometric data, these trackers focus on performance metrics, specifically on recording and 11 million data points of such metrics.

The trackers integrate the NFC, BLE, and micro-processors with the newest sensors. They measure air time, height, velocity, G-force, trajectory, and amplitude via 13 axes. The system is lightweight and waterproof, and connects to a dual platform app (iOS and Android).

In addition, PIQ designed a service with specific gamification to keep users coming back for improved feedback. Also, the measuring units can function for different sports, opening new possibilities for multi-sport apps and games. The service of course also allows for sharing and for challenges via social media. Athletes will advertise for PIQ on TV in coming seasons.

Already being manufactured by Foxconn, the first sports equipment featuring PIQ will launch this summer in Europe, the U.S., and Japan.

Topics
Aliya Barnwell
Aliya Barnwell
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Aliya Tyus-Barnwell is a writer, cyclist and gamer with an interest in technology. Also a fantasy fan, she's had fiction…
Razer Anzu smart glasses deal knocks $140 off the price tag
The Razer Anzu smart glasses placed on top of an open book.

While smartwatch deals have slowly claimed their place in the mainstream, smart glasses haven't turned out to be as popular. Gaming-focused brand Razer, however, is trying to renew interest in smart glasses with the Razer Anzu, which you can currently purchase from Best Buy at $140 off. If you'd like to give them a try, they're available for just $60, less than half their original price of $200.

There have been failures like the Google Glass and Snap Spectacles, and hopeful attempts like Oppo's Air Glass and Apple's secretive project, but the Razer Anzu smart glasses take a different spin on the wearable device by designing them for indoors. While they come with polarized sunglass lenses, their clear lenses are more useful with their blue light filter, which protects your eyes from screen glare to prevent discomfort even after hours of playing video games or working from home. The smart glasses, which also have a built-in omnidirectional microphone and speakers, may also be more comfortable to wear for an extended period of time compared to headsets and headphones. You'll enjoy smooth, stutter-free sound with the Razer Anzu's low latency audio with a 60ms Bluetooth connection.

Read more
The best Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 screen protectors
Person holding skateboard while wearing the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4.

A new, sleek design and digital bezel help the Galaxy Watch 4 stand out in the crowd and set it apart from the traditional style of the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. Whether you've picked up a 40mm model with a 1.2-inch Super AMOLED screen or opted for more screen real estate with the 44mm model, that stand-out design needs protecting from scratches and knocks. That means it's time for our picks of the best Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 screen protectors, with something to suit all budgets.

These screen protectors will all fit the 40mm or 44mm models of the Galaxy Watch 4. If you've got a Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, these won't fit.
Spigen Glas.tR EZ Fit Screen Protector

Read more
How to remove watch links from the strap on your new watch
how to remove watch links fossil q explorist

There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all smartwatch. If your wrists are on the smaller size, then you may find that your new smartwatch is dangling from your wrist and sliding up your forearm. No need to worry — it's a common problem. Chances are there are at least one too many chain links on the strap, but adjusting a metal-link smartwatch band isn't as difficult as you might think — and doesn't usually require a trip to the jewelers.

We'll take you through everything you need to know and the tools you'll need handy to remove links from your smartwatch so it fits snugly on your wrist.

Read more