Overview
Intel is one of the world’s largest semiconductor chip makers, on the leading edge of technological innovation and involved in many aspects of the Internet of Things (IoT) including health, fitness and sports.
One of their recent innovations is a line of sophisticated sensors for sports equipment that can collect and analyze data for various sports use cases. The coin-sized sensors can be mounted on different
types of equipment such as cricket and baseball bats to capture real-time data on a number of different players’ bat swings and motions to improve training and skill development.
100K+
Employees
$70B+
In revenue
IoT
Leader
Expertise in Digital Services & Industry Leading Tools
Business Goals
Technological Innovation
In support of new
IoT-related sensors
Accelerated Go-to Market
For those
same offerings
Operational Efficiency
In solution development
and delivery
The Challenge
Intel is a proven innovator in creating next-generation technology infrastructure solutions.
But they needed help developing the capabilities which would provide the exceptional data access and user experience it envisioned for its sports sensors. The digital engineering effort also required a technology partner that could navigate the challenges involved in working with a variety of use cases that had never been attempted before.
For Example:
- Conceptualizing and developing an application which would allow coaches and players to analyze and collaborate digitally via smartphones and IoT devices. The solution needed to monitor player performance continuously against predefined goals.
- Developing a solution designed to be used for live matches and broadcast on air for TV viewers.
- Simulating a real-life sporting environment to test its sensors under different conditions.
- Capturing and visualizing key data elements for intuitive use by players, coaches and fans.
- Setting up the right physical infrastructure to perform the required tests.
- Accessing the right resources to execute various sports motions and capture real-time data about them.
- Optimizing algorithms to improve sensor data accuracy.
The Solution
Infostretch was introduced as a digital strategy and execution partner based on its extensive expertise in the product engineering and management of the latest innovations in digital, IoT and wearables.
With a thorough understanding of Intel’s needs and expectations, the Infostretch team kicked off a multi-phased, digital engineering initiative which included:
a. Development
The scope of Infostretch’s development efforts encompassed all functional flow and requirements, device drivers and algorithm, device interface, mobile application UI and UX, application logic, user dashboard, smart videos, performance analysis, user profiles and management, and reporting.
The coin-sized device, which includes various sensors and a microcontroller with BLE capabilities, was designed by Intel. The Infostretch team developed drivers for the sensors to receive data and run algorithms on the received data to make a meaningful analysis. The data is wirelessly transmitted to a companion application on a smartphone. It is also stored in the sensor when it is not connected to a smart device.
Key deliverables of the development effort included:
Firmware and
algorithms
for the sport sensor
This enabled the ability to receive data from the device sensors, detect and record key activities such as shots based on a noise threshold, run algorithms to calculate parameters such as shot data, and send that data to the companion application on both Android and iOS
Android and
iOS companion
applications
These applications receive, store and display the shot data from the sensor firmware, sync it with the cloud application server, enable visualization with a 3D avatar and control different user modes such as match, practice, etc.
Cloud
application
server
The application server stores data for future analysis, enables visualization for match or practice sessions, and enables user registration and mapping
b. Test/QA Infostretch also handled all test and QA on the project. The scope of this effort included:
Discovery & Planning
Infostretch defined an end-to-end strategy that outlined the most important test scenarios and parameters to be validated
Ground-Truth Validation Laboratory Setup
Infostretch set up a lab and a ground-truth test bench-essentially an indoor cricket pitch completely enclosed by netting and with artificial grass cricket pitch surrounded by Mo-Cap cameras and high speed video cameras-for multiple test executions to simulate real-time scenarios for developing and validating the sensors
Field Testing
Working with Intel’s team, Infostretch conducted field testing at multiple regional levels and championship trophy games to validate sensor data accuracy. The results were displayed during the live telecast
Coverage, Execution & Reporting
The optical Mo-Cap system was tweaked to capture real-time bat swing data. The subjects (Cricket players in this case) played a shot with the sensor on the bat
The action was also recorded with high-speed cameras from three different angles (identified as best views). The sensor instantaneously recorded the 3D data which was then transmitted to a test bench to compare and analyze the data from the Mo-Cap system and sensor.
Video analysis was used to confirm the parameter reading and calculate the delta. The 3D calculation was then derived providing the angle made with the calibrated origin.
This step included:
3D Motion Capture
This enabled the capture of
movement of the selected object
from all angles to get a better
idea of the 3D angles
Data Analysis and Algorithm Optimization
Data was captured for various
parameters such as hand speed,
hip speed, swing plane,
hit angle, etc.
Statistical Models
Created to analyze the data
and alter the algorithms
to improve the accuracy
of the sensors
Anticipated Technical Achievements & Outcomes
Technical Innovation
with new, market-leading product capabilities
Faster Time to Market
via real-time testing and optimization of sensors
Cost Savings
in the set-up of physical Infrastructure
About Infostretch
Infostretch leverages a proven combination of technology, processes, and expertise to help enterprises accelerate the execution of their digital strategy. We deliver faster and more effectively by unifying expert professional services and best practices with pre-built software frameworks and products. Our 1,000+ development, testing and integration specialists have deep capabilities in DevOps, QE, app development, Cloud, AI, IoT and mobility.