Samsung-supported start-up Salted Venture is set to unveil a smart shoe that promises to bring professional sports science data and insight to the general public.
Dubbed the ‘IoFIT’, the smart shoe uses accelerometers and pressure sensors embedded in the outsole.
The shoe pairs with a coaching app on a smartphone to provide data about the user’s balance, body posture, weight shift and centre of gravity location.
Data is updated in real-time and displayed on a pressure map onscreen.
Salted Venture said that its objective with the smart shoe and companion app is to go beyond simple data collection, and introduce coaching capabilities.
To that end, the app is capable of video recording and playback, which allows the user to evaluate their form and the corresponding real-time sensor data at a glance.
In the hands of a coach, the app also provides side-by-side or stacked video comparison and voice-over comments to be added to videos, as well as direct drawing on video footage to highlight flaws in technique for the athlete.
The company was inspired by force plates found in premium fitness centres and professional golf facilities, and their ability to provide similar data.
“There was an existing solution that was providing value already,” said COO and UX planner Sehee Lee.
“Unlike the static, pricey equipment, however, the IoFIT shoe would need to be portable and cost-effective.”
The company has garnered attention from some of the world’s leading footwear brands to integrate its technology into their shoes, and will officially unveil and demonstrate the technology at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
“Our goal is to empower people who love fitness and sports to train smarter and coach better,” said Salted Venture CEO Jacob Cho.
“We want to see our products being used by inspiring athletes, coaches and individuals all over the world and to make their training and coaching experience the best it can be.”
IOFIT Fitness (English Version) from Saltedventure on Vimeo.
