This project analyses how an IoT-concept for Outdoor Sports, using LPWA technology with reduced power consumption and long-range connectivity, can be developed to address some of the shortcomings of today’s IoT-devices for sports, i.e. Wearables. The project implementation is designed with use of sensors to track relevant data for use cases regarding the safety of outdoor athletes.
Outdoor Sports; MTB, skiing, trail-running, rafting, climbing etc., are typically practiced in mountains and forests, where cellular network coverage is limited. Additionally, some of these activities, often categorized as extreme sports by insurance companies, due to the high risk of injuries, combined with a distinctive long endurance from 1-2 hours up to multiple days/weeks, demand requirements that are not currently addressed in State of The Art IoT-solutions for sports, e.g. Wearables, Smartwatches, Fitness trackers.
A skier’s movements and technique can be measured with use of sensors; time from edge-to- edge transition and turn-rate, carving-angle using gyro sensor, height-meters and distance, speed, acceleration, air-time, gravitational force and centrifugal force during turns, fall- and impact- detection and lastly biological measures, such as heart rate and cortisol level.
This project addresses the challenges of designing and implementing IoT Wearables for Outdoor Sports with use of LPWA technology.