RaceFit, a Hong Kong-based startup focusing on wearable technology, is helping the local fencing community boost their chances for medals at the upcoming 2020 Olympics with the help of Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI).
The company, which is on a mission to understand human motion, has developed a line of smart garments with sensors that capture in-depth data – complete with feedback and analysis – on how the wearer is moving.
Eye on the prize
In training, the local fencers contending for the Olympics puts on a RaceFit suit, which is fitted with lightweight nine-axis sensors – each weighting about 15 grams and has a wireless charging battery inside.
The sensors are connected via a patented Bluetooth network. The sensors feed data to a RaceFit app on a mobile device. The data is then analysed by the company’s Fitness Ability Measurement System (FAMS) in the cloud.
RaceFit has aligned with Microsoft Azure but not only for its cloud requirements. The company realised that by using Microsoft Azure cloud, they could build their own AI solution to focus on fitness ability management. For example, when you do a push-up, did you do it correctly or incorrectly?
Using AI in the Microsoft Azure environment, the FAMS algorithm delivers a wealth of information on the person’s strength, stamina, flexibility, coordination, and balance.
What’s more, the company has worked with sports scientists to identify specific movements that are unique to fencing. This gives a coach a holistic view of how an athlete is performing and what needs to be improved, like having a better knee angle when lunging.
Once a problem is identified, a coach can develop a training regimen to address it, and even monitor an athlete’s progress remotely.
“It’s interesting to quickly see where I am going right or wrong,” said Kristy Cheung, who competes with the I-Fencing Alliance Club. She uses RaceFit with the help of her coach to find and rectify problems with exercise and practice.
She added: “I can immediately address weaknesses I didn’t even know that I had. I’m feeling more confident about performing my best.”
To date, RaceFit’s solution has also been extended to other sports like high-intensity interval training (HIIT) training, cycling and tennis. Soon, RaceFit plans to expand the usability of its app to team sports, like football.
Beyond sports
RaceFit is targeting its smart garments beyond professional athletes and their coaches. It wants to reach the mainstream market where people can incorporate the Racefit solution to their exercise routine.
The accompanying app comes with customisable exercise routines. It lets a person know immediately if any of his movements need improvement, like if his hip position is too high while planking. It can keep track of his progress over time and prescribe new exercises to help him reach fitness goals.
For those engaged in other sports like cycling and running, the app is supported with downloadable modules. And more sports and exercises are being added to the list.
Meanwhile, Racefit has plans to reach out to physical therapists. Wearing a simpler version of the sensor contained in a single band, patients can perform exercises as instructed by the therapists. The device will help the physical therapist determine if they do it correctly.
“This will save a lot of time and it can be done with multiple patients at the same time,” said RaceFit co-founder and CEO Graham Mak.
Dennis Poon, the company’s chief experience officer, added that physiotherapists who use the RaceFit system “can definitely take care of more patients and, more importantly, they will be able to monitor their recovery.”
Furthermore, the RaceFit system is being eyed to supplement elderly care. Based on Hong Kong government statistics, around 20% of adults over 65 have a fall at least once a year. Most of those report some kind of injury and nearly 10% break a bone. Since the RaceFit sensors give a complete picture of human movement, the system would know if a person has fallen down and needs assistance.
“What is the active and inactive times in a day? And, what about the time walking or sitting or lying on the bed? What does it represent? And, how can it affect health outcomes?” Mak said.
