Wearable technology is becoming the latest fad, especially after the launch of smartwatches, various exercise monitors and the unveiling of Google Glass.
Below is a look at a few of those technologies and how they are being used to impact the way sports are played and trained for, as well as how they are used for sports viewing.
Google Glass
Pro-tennis player Bethanie Mattek-Sands wearing Google Glass
Google Glass was unveiled in early 2013. The glasses have many uses – one of those being to enhance a fan’s game watching experience.
According to the Washington Post the Sacramento Kings will be the first professional sports teams to record and stream a live game using Google Glass, a campaign dubbed as the Kings Go Glass. Though Kings Players won’t be able to wear the technology on the court, other players not on the court, cheerleaders, and the mascot will be able to wear the glasses. Essentially allowing fans to view the game for a different perspective.
Another company, APX Labs, created Skybox for Google Glass. Skybox is an app that allows fans with the technology at participating venues to access real-time content like replays and live stats without missing a moment of the action.
Instabeat Heart Monitor
A start-up
sports technology company in Beirut developed a heart monitor designed to be fitted to any type goggle that can track a swimmers turns, laps and timing.
The Instabeat monitor is sold for $150. The company also plans to examine technology for running, bicycling and skiing. This type of technology could change the way swimmers (and possibly other athletes) train.
Speedskating Suit
Under Armour and Lockheed Martin, a defense contractor, created the mysterious Mach 39 suit for the U.S. Speedskating tea. The suit was developed by the engineers at Lockheed Martin to help the team shave hundreds of a second off their times at the upcoming 2014 Sochi Olympics. The two companies say that suit is the fastest ever.
The Mach 39 is the result of a two-year research program, which included more than 300 hours of wind-tunnel testing with mannequins modeled after Olympians actual skating postures. Technology has transformed Speedskating before, with the advent of clap skates that became common in competition by the 1990s and are now used by all long-track skaters.
Some Olympians feel as though the suit might get banned similar to full-body swimsuit being banned in the 2012 Olympics after records were toppled in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
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