Smart boxing gloves measure ‘punch power’ on TV
The network plans to embed an accelerometer and a gyroscope – along with accompanying power and wireless communications circuitry – into the front of boxing gloves in order to measure the speed and force of punches landed during a fight. This data would then be displayed in real time during a fight.
A database containing pre-identified motion profiles of different kinds of punches will be used to match with and identify the sensor data. Other data can also be tracked, such as the starting time of a punch, for example.
HBO is said to have been experimenting with its technology for several years. It is seen as leading the way to more sensors, including biometric types, being embedded in other items worn by the fighters – such as their headgear, shorts and shoes – that could monitor and measure other aspects of a fight, including the boxers’ physical states.
This drawing from the HBO patent shows the potential various available data sensors and locations on a boxer’s body.
This follows a recent move by the NFL to add RFID chips to players’ shoulder pads to track on-field location data, which currently allow viewers to check on a player’s speed, as well as distance and direction of travel. As with the HBO technology, future iterations are seen offering more data, especially related to a player’s physical status.
See the HBO patent: "System and Method for Gathering and Analyzing Objective Motion Data."
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