This SMART 100 profile and the information it contains is a duplication of content submitted by the applicant during the entry process. As a function of entry, applicants were required to declare that all details are factually correct, do not infringe on another’s intellectual property and are not unlawful, threatening, defamatory, invasive of privacy, obscene, or otherwise objectionable. Some profiles have been edited for reasons of space and clarity.
1. THE BEGINNING
This innovation came to life when…
I was hitting lots of tennis balls really badly and a coach showed me how to hit a backhand down the line. I was instantly hooked. I thought to myself there had to be a smart way for technology to help keep me on the right track.
The current generation of wearable devices weren’t up to much so I set about creating my own. Using my background in Physics and an insane love of tennis I developed the idea of a wearable device, which measures your game and helps you improve.
2. WHAT & HOW
The purpose of this innovation is to…
Provide players everywhere with easy access to technique analysis and personalised recommendations. It will tell you how hard you’re working, allow you to compete against yourself and others, and give you the insights you need, every time you play.
It does this by…
Smash is a lightweight band that you wear on your wrist. It uses precise sensors which measure the accuracy and consistency of your technique.
From forehand through to volley, Smash takes hundreds of measurements every second creating an incredibly accurate picture of your game. Combined with an app, Smash analyses your technique and makes personal recommendations, just like a coach
3. PURPOSE & BENEFITS
This innovation improves on what came before because…
Smash is unique; there hasn’t been a wearable device for tennis before. It is there with you every time you play. Technique analysis and recommendations no longer require someone videoing you, or relying on you to keep notes on what to focus on.
Its various benefits to the customer/end-user include…
Smash provides players with easy access to detailed insight on their game. The app allows them to track progress over time, set themselves goals and even challenge players of a similar standard nearby. Mostly, it will motivate them to play more.
4. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
In the past, this problem was solved by…
Participating in group or individual coaching lessons, ranging in costs between $25 and $80 per hour. Afterwards it would be difficult to remember what to focus on, in order to keep improving. Players would also view lots of YouTube clips, or attempt to video themselves playing (I know I did!)
Its predecessors/competitors include…
Its competitors include one, by Babolat, which carries the sensors in the racquet meaning you must purchase Babolat equipment. The other, by Zepp, fits to the end of any racquet, however it interferes with technique. Smash is equipment agnostic.
5. TARGET MARKET
It is made for…
The 78 million people worldwide playing tennis at least once a week, 600,000 of which are in Australia. It’s for the tennis tragics like me who want to know how to get that feeling of improvement more often.
The target market would be male and female, aged 18 to 45, interested in technology and the latest equipment that’s going to give them an edge. It would also appeal to clubs and coaches who could run group sessions, even young players and pros on the up.
It is available for sale through…
Smash will be available for pre-sale through a Kickstarter campaign, which is coming soon.
Our marketing strategy is to…
Drive as much traffic as possible through to the Kickstarter campaign, to be achieved through engagement of a variety of methods.
As Smash touches many facets including technology, sport, health and business, we are confident this innovation will interest many local and international publications across these categories; we will also engage social media superstars to with assist promotion.
Your Turn — VOTE!
The Readers’ Choice Index was created to provide an opportunity for Anthill readers to vote on SMART 100 applications, in one of three ways:
- Tweet it: Top left of each page (3 points)
- Trigger a Reaction: Facebook ‘Like’, etc (2 points)
- Leave a Comment: Anonymous comments excluded (1 points)
We’ll use your vote to create the 2014 SMART 100 Readers’ Choice Index.
FINE PRINT
This SMART 100 profile and the information it contains is a duplication of content submitted by the applicant during the entry process. As a function of entry, applicants were required to declare that all details are factually correct, do not infringe on another’s intellectual property and are not unlawful, threatening, defamatory, invasive of privacy, obscene, or otherwise objectionable. Some profiles have been edited for reasons of space and clarity.
