We can't all have Jordan's dunk, but a new piece of wearable tech could soon help athletes understand their own strengths — and weaknesses.
Hoop Tracker is a smart watch designed specifically for basketball players that automatically measures training progress, including shooting percentages and accuracy.
"If you're going to perform an activity you're going to want to know how well you're doing it," Hoop Tracker founder Jason Duke told. "Basketball is no different."
The Hoop Tracker system is made up of two main components — a shot detector magnetically mounted on the hoop and the watch itself. Once a player takes a shot, a sensor is activated when the ball hits the backboard or the rim. If the ball goes in, it will hit a lever positioned in the hoop and the shot will be recorded as made. But if it doesn't hit the lever within two seconds, a miss will be registered.
Air balls won't activate the sensor and must be manually tracked by hitting a button on the watch. Data is wirelessly transferred from the shot detector to the watch and can be uploaded to the Hoop Tracker website where athletes can analyze their progress.
Players follow pre-programmed training regimens (or design their own) customized for each position that instruct them to take different shots, such as free throws or three pointers, from different areas on the court. Hoop Tracker also includes games like "Score 100," "3 Point Contest" and "Shoot Around." Athletes can also share achievements with friends on Facebook and Twitter.
The watch can be worn or kept on the sidelines if players are already familiar with the training programs — either way, it will still collect data. Coaches are also able to monitor multiple players at once in a separate mode.
Duke has played recreational basketball since childhood and was inspired to create Hoop Tracker because he felt there wasn't an easy way for players to get quantifiable feedback on their performances outside of expensive, bulky equipment. Shooting guns, for example, can cost approximately $5,000. Another start-up, Shot Tracker, is working toward a similar goal, but uses a sleeve and an app instead of a watch.
"You'll see where your strengths are and it could help you find out what your ideal position is," Duke said.
Hoop Tracker is raising funds on Kickstarter and shipping is expected to begin in October. As of press time, the crowdfunding campaign had garnered more than $36,000 out of a $100,000 goal with six days to go.
IMAGE: HOOP TRACKER
The watch can be worn or kept on the sidelines if players are already familiar with the training programs — either way, it will still collect data. Coaches are also able to monitor multiple players at once in a separate mode.
Duke has played recreational basketball since childhood and was inspired to create Hoop Tracker because he felt there wasn't an easy way for players to get quantifiable feedback on their performances outside of expensive, bulky equipment. Shooting guns, for example, can cost approximately $5,000. Another start-up, Shot Tracker, is working toward a similar goal, but uses a sleeve and an app instead of a watch.
"You'll see where your strengths are and it could help you find out what your ideal position is," Duke said.
Hoop Tracker is raising funds on Kickstarter and shipping is expected to begin in October. As of press time, the crowdfunding campaign had garnered more than $36,000 out of a $100,000 goal with six days to go.
IMAGE: HOOP TRACKER