Are You Ready for the Fitness Wearables Revolution?

Image Source: Wareable

You’re familiar with the big names in wearables, like Apple or Fitbit. But you probably haven’t heard of all the innovation going on with fitness wearables from numerous small startups. These companies have been hard at work making unique products that are receiving immense hype — and for good reason.

Internet of Things app developers were probably thrilled to learn that wearables dominated the Global Sports Innovation (SPIN) competition this year. Located in Boston this year, the contest is held by HYPE Foundation, a company that works to connect tech startups with major players in the sports industry. ASICS partnered with HYPE Foundation to offer this year’s winners the chance to be mentored by its R&D department and possibly have their innovations incorporated into future ASICS products.

The SPIN winner this year was Boston-based Humon. The engineers and Artificial Intelligence (AI) app developers of this startup have been working hard on their Hex wearable product, and it’s paying off. The Hex wearable is placed around the mid-thigh area, where it can measure the user’s oxygen levels. Using this real-time data, Hex then creates a personal coach powered by AI that can help athletes improve their training.

Hex is primarily aimed at athletes in cardio-heavy sports (running, cycling, etc.). Humon expects to start shipping the device before 2018. You can pre-order it at their online store.

Besides Humon, Boston mobile app developers would be proud to know that second place in the SPIN competition went to Nix, another local startup. Nix is similar to Humon, except its wearable measures sweat. Based on this real-time data, Nix’s AI determines when, what, and how much to drink so that you can optimize your hydration level. Nix thinks its biometric sensor could be used by an array of people (soldiers, laborers, etc.), not just athletes.

Clothing startup Luna Wear took third place in the competition. Luna Wear does not make a traditional wearable like Humon’s or Nix’s. The company makes clothing that is illuminated with a rechargeable lithium battery. While Luna Wear’s innovation doesn’t monitor your breathing or hydration habits, it does keep fitness enthusiasts visible to vehicles at night.

These SPIN competition winners only scratch the surface of the innovation happening in fitness wearables. It’s an exciting time to be an IoT app developer in this industry, and we can’t wait to see where it goes next.