Technology is introduced into sports. The combination of sports and technology is no longer a patent for training national players. The new normal after the epidemic brings sports technology into the home, and the concept of Metaverse injects the fun of fusion of reality and reality into sports technology.

ITRI ​​exhibited a number of sports technologies at CES this year and became the focus of attention. Taiwan’s sports equipment OEM/ODM ranks third in the world. Innovative sports technologies are expected to add strong competitiveness to the industry.

The main focus of this year's CES is to help the world solve current challenges with technology. The Industrial Technology Research Institute participated in the physical and virtual exhibitions in the form of theme pavilions. The exhibits covered 9 innovations including sports technology, AI artificial intelligence, ICT information communication, and robots. Technology provides solutions for post-epidemic smart life and resilient manufacturing.

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The epidemic has given birth to the rapid rise of sports technology

In the past three years, the new crown epidemic has hit the sports industry hard. Not only have large and small physical events been postponed or cancelled, but the opening of sports venues has also been strictly restricted.

Fortunately, technologies such as the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence have gradually matured. As the epidemic has changed people's exercise habits, it has also spawned innovative research and development in technology. Exercise online and virtually without physical contact.

In addition, Taiwan has a complete supply chain for the sports industry. Not only are bicycles, badminton products, and fitness equipment among the top three in the global market share, but it also has a solid foundation for the development of information and communication and digital content, all of which are conducive to the development of sports technology.

Closely linked to CES 2023's innovative focus on Web 3.0 issues, ITRI plans the field of sports technology for the first time this year, displaying "Multi-touch Realistic Body-Sensing Clothes (iMetaWeaR)", "Intelligent Sports Glasses (iSportWeaR)", "Non-Skin Contact myoelectric sensing sports armband", "sports physiological sensing and guidance digital clone" and other technologies.

These four technologies are all sports technologies that combine AI, sensing and metaverse concepts. At the press conference before the CES show, including the Associated Press, the authoritative health technology media Health Tech Insider, the Yomiuri Shimbun of Japan, XDC of France, and Neue Zuercher of Switzerland Zeitung, Panamanian media Tecno Stevens and Podcaster MacVoices all competed to experience it.

In fact, from 2020 to the first half of 2021, Americans spent more than $3.4 billion on home fitness equipment and online exercise course subscription services, which shows that sports technology that is not limited by space and time is rapidly rising.

iMetaWeaR metaverse fitness as if you are on the scene

Don't think that online fitness at home can only do gymnastics and yoga. The "iMetaWeaR" developed by the Industrial Technology Research Institute, even for two-person sports such as boxing and western fencing, can also allow players to have the actual feeling of "fist to the flesh".

Putting on iMetaWeaR, when the system detects another player throwing a punch, it will activate the electric current stimulation at the position where the player is virtually touched. Lin Hongdun, the head of the service system technology center of the Industrial Technology Research Institute, said bluntly: "It seems to be really punched by the opponent. One punch!"

The key to this technology is the smart textile material "flexible conductive plasma material" developed by ITRI, which can weave conductive yarn directly into the fabric, bringing corresponding tactile feedback, and can be washed repeatedly.

There are as many as 10 different tactile stimuli on the upper body alone, and 4 sets of electrodes are designed to support 24 stimulation modes with different strength and speed combinations. The near-real tactile experience can effectively enhance the immersive experience of moving in the virtual world.

iSportWeaR health manager "wear" to walk

Another sports technology product is "Intelligent Sports Glasses". The appearance is not significantly different from the sunglasses worn by athletes on ski resorts and marathons. However, the secret lies in the contact with the side face and ears. in the temples.

It turns out that the low-power radar sensing technology on the temples can detect various physiological data.

"Different from ordinary smart watches that can only detect heartbeats, we have integrated micro-radars into the glasses, which can detect breathing and heartbeats through the temples, and connect to mobile phones for information collection and management," Lin Hongdun said. , the biggest competitiveness of smart sports glasses is that they can collect more physiological information than ordinary smart watches.

Through the monitoring of breathing, heartbeat, body posture and exercise volume, you can find the most suitable exercise rate for you. If your physiological state is abnormal, you will be reminded in time to avoid sports injuries such as heat exhaustion.

More importantly, the low-power radar technology is very power-saving, sports health analysis and management can achieve 24 hours of continuous ultra-long detection time, and can be sensed at close range without interference.

"Multi-touch realistic body-sensing clothing" and "smart sports glasses" are currently being negotiated by sensing industry, content manufacturers, and sports equipment manufacturers, and the follow-up is expected.

However, the Industrial Technology Research Institute's entry into the sports technology industry is not limited to R&D and technology transfer, but to assume the role of an integrator and create international luminous energy for Taiwan's industry players.

Myoelectric sensing sports armband to accurately measure non-contact communication

"Non-skin-contact EMG sensing exercise armband" is an innovative technology application that can accurately measure the EMG signals driving muscles during exercise even through clothing, and grasp key physiological information for training.

Why do you have to use a sensing armband through your clothes?

Traditional wearable sensing devices need to be attached to the muscles for measurement, but they are prone to problems after long-term use, such as skin allergies, compression and other side effects that affect sports performance.

As the sweat increases, the skin also becomes wet and slippery, causing inaccurate sensing data.

Traditional wearable devices are also rigid and cannot conform to the bending limit of the human body curve; through soft hybrid electronics and coupled sensing technology, these problems can be easily solved.

At present, this technology has been cooperated with the National Taiwan University of Sports and Sports, and has been applied to the scientific training of baseball pitchers' throwing upper limbs.

Transform traditional training into intelligent digital analysis, accelerate the scientific development of sports training, and make training more accurate and effective.

On the one hand, it helps players perform better in competitions, and on the other hand, it also accumulates Taiwan's overall strength in the field of sports technology.

Home fitness ram digital avatar trainer is always by your side

There is an experience space in the CES theme pavilion of the Industrial Technology Research Institute, where there is only a flywheel training platform and a TV screen.

Knights can detect physiological data and receive professional guidance without wearing any devices.

It turned out that this was a cycling training course in the Metaverse.

"This system can create a comfortable and convenient exercise environment without wearing any devices," said Huang Qiliu, manager of the Intelligent Sensing and System Technology Center of the Industrial Technology Research Institute.

"Sports Physiological Sensing and Guidance Digital Clone" is also the highlight of the sports technology exhibited by the Industrial Technology Research Institute. It emphasizes that it can provide professional training at home like a coach by your side.

How to sense physiological data without wearing a device?

Through the thermal imaging non-contact respiration measurement technology developed by the Industrial Technology Research Institute, the cycling coach in the virtual world can understand the real-time exercise status.

The coach can analyze and judge through the collected physical data, and give the most suitable exercise menu for the user. After the course is over, the coach can also score and provide professional advice.

Metaverse strengthens sports fun and viscosity

The Industrial Technology Research Institute estimates that the global output value of sports technology will reach NT$13.4 trillion in 2030, with a compound growth rate of 7.7% in the next 10 years. The Executive Yuan has also set the sports technology industry as the next trillion-dollar new industry in 2026 Looking forward to the industry prospects, although the new crown epidemic has given birth to sports technology business opportunities, the concept of metaverse has strengthened the fun and community stickiness of sports.

From the CES exhibition, as soon as the sports technology with the concept of metaverse appeared, it was immediately crowded with people to experience it, and you can see the clues.

In the future, you can participate in popular marathons without having to squeeze your head to draw lots, and you can participate in yoga spiritual practice without flying to India.

As long as you enter the world of Metaverse, you can connect with the international sports community, find friends who exercise together at any time, and even coaches who give professional advice.

Zhan Ruiran, an analyst at the Industrial Technology International Strategy Development Institute of the Industrial Technology Research Institute, said that with Taiwan's existing sports and fitness equipment supply chain and the advantages of the information and communication industry, no matter in the fields of smart venues, smart sports/fitness, smart training/planning and e-sports, "Taiwan Sports╳Technology Industry Ecosystem" is very competitive internationally.

It is suggested that existing businesses can make good use of this capacity to create new positioning.

Including developing the needs of different ethnic groups and fields, developing towards intelligent and networked products, and deepening professional knowledge in different fields; those who want to invest in different industries can further introduce 5G, AI, Internet of Things and other technologies to connect data content , to develop new business models.

With the gradual preparation of 5G infrastructure, AI, Internet of Things and virtual reality integration technology is becoming more and more mature, my country can combine sports science to develop integrated solutions, so as to build an Asia-Pacific sports technology training base, link the global market, and drive the industry to create greater added value.

(This article is reproduced from Industrial Technology and Information Monthly)

Sports X technology has potential development direction according to the application field.

(Picture provided by ITRI)

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