Device Analyzes Foilers From Board’s Front

Foiling, foilboarding, or hydrofoiling—whatever you call it—is a challenging watersport to learn without proper guidance. The SmartFoil aims to change that, offering real-time feedback through a sleek, board-mounted device.

Crowdfunded Creation Inspired by Ski Tech

Now featured in an Indiegogo campaign, the SmartFoil was created by Swiss foiling enthusiast Duncan Robinson. His inspiration came from the Carv system, a skiing performance tracker that attaches to ski boots.

Housed inside the SmartFoil’s waterproof casing are components such as a rechargeable lithium battery, microprocessor, wide-angle video camera, GPS module, and a 9-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU). The device attaches to the front of the board via a quick-release bracket for easy mounting and removal.

While the rider is foiling, a rear-facing camera captures video of their movements on the board. The system synchronizes this footage with GPS location data and IMU readings, which track the board’s pitch, yaw, roll, and acceleration.

Smartphone Sync and Pro-Level Performance Scoring

The system sends all collected data via Bluetooth to an iOS or Android app on the rider’s smartphone. There, software—developed with insights from professional foiling coaches—analyzes the session and generates a performance score based on 13 distinct metrics.

The system provides users with a comprehensive performance analysis, offering tips to improve technique, balance, and pumping rhythm.For an additional fee, users access more personalized online coaching—a human coach initially delivers the guidance, with an AI coach set to take over once fully trained.

If the SmartFoil makes it to production, a pledge of US$349 secures a unit, compared to its projected retail price of $945.

A demonstration can be seen in the video below.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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