Technology insights for the sporting goods industry – Page 5
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News briefs
New technology aims to reduce size-related returns in e-commerce
A Munich-based startup, Sizekick, has launched a new technology to help brands and retailers reduce size-related returns in e-commerce, along with strategic partner and investor Hohenstein. The newly developed sizing AI is now celebrating market entry, with the technology available for fashion e-commerce stores, with successfully acquired customers including the ...
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News briefs
Latest 3D-printed performance shoe unveiled
Asics has once again partnered with 3D printing company LuxCreo to launch the second generation of its Actibreeze Hybrid Sandal. The performance sandal is designed for runners during rest and recovery periods and is the third footwear product from the successful partnership between LuxCreo and Asics. The ...
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Article
Researchers develop prototype stretchable lithium-ion battery for textiles
Researchers at the University of Houston (UH) have developed a fully stretchable fabric-based lithium-ion battery prototype. The idea for stretchable batteries originally occurred to Haleh Ardebili, professor of mechanical engineering at UH, several years ago. A science fiction fan, he imagined smart, interactive and powered clothes. “It seemed a natural ...
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Article
Twitter to become nothing, anything, everything
It appears that we were on to something a few months ago. Twitter has taken another step towards becoming X – “the everything app.” But what does this mean, and why the change in a brand as iconic as Twitter? We take a look.
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News briefs
Smart wearables and navigation app announce partnership
Smart wearables brand Amazfit, owned by Zepp Health, is now offering routing and navigation connectivity with the popular outdoor activities app Komoot. Amazfit’s proprietary operating system, the Zepp OS, already enables supporting smartwatches to connect to external apps such as Adidas Running, Strava, Relive, Apple Health or Google Fit. ...
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News briefs
Decathlon rolling out virtual try-ons
Decathlon has introduced a tool to help online customers select a size for the garments they order. Although there have been no official announcements from the company, its global Chief Digital Officer, Jerome Dubreuil, has described the tool in a LinkedIn post – as Retail Technology Innovation Hub has discovered. ...
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News briefs
Zalando introduces size recommendations based on customers’ body measurements
The online shopping platform Zalando has introduced a new tool allowing customers to receive size recommendations based on their body measurements. Taking two photos with a smartphone in tight-fitting clothes is enough to determine body measurements and help customers find the right fit for their next purchase. This is an ...
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News briefs
An online course on AI for footwear
Footwearology, the self-described “only academy for footwear professionals” with operations in Barcelona, has introduced a course called “AI for Footwear.” Taught by Nicoline van Enter, one of the founders of Footwearology and Footwearology Lab, the course is designed for managers seeking an understanding of AI as well as for designers ...
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Sponsored
JML Apparel’s implementation of Vizoo drives efficiency and sustainability
Discover how JML Apparel has enhanced its product development process through the integration of 3D Design and digital asset libraries.
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Article
Pádel making an approach to VR
Vista Animations and Motion Capture Barcelona have spent the past 20 months developing the first virtual reality (VR) manifestation of pádel. “At the beginning,” lead developer Sergi Anglada tells The Padel Paper, which has done a full write-up, “we didn’t know how far we could go and whether the technology ...
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News briefs
Crocs launches virtual store with first 3D shoe customizer
Source: Crocs Crocs has launched a new virtual store in partnership with 3D e-commerce platform Obsess. The Crocs Jibbitz Experience is “a virtual storytelling arena centered around self-expression, personalization, gamification and education.” It includes the brand’s first-ever 3D Jibbitz Customizer, a feature developed by Obsess to provide ...
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Article
Vuzix OEM consumer smart eyewear business enters countdown phase
At its annual general meeting, held last week at the company’s headquarters, Vuzix announced that it plans to sell 50,000 to 75,000 enterprise products in 2023. The smart glasses supplier predicts that the market for such smart glasses will grow 20- to 50-fold to $2.5 billion by 2028, and estimates ...
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News briefs
Reebok to launch smart eyewear in early 2024
Authentic Brands Group, the owner of Reebok, and Innovative Eyewear have agreed on a new deal for the licensing of smart eyewear for Reebok. The initial Reebok smart eyewear collection, comprising styles for both men and women, is expected to launch in early 2024. Innovative Eyewear is the developer and ...
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News briefs
Asics invests in haptics for VR exercise
Asics Ventures, the investment arm of the sportswear company, has invested in Valkyrie Industries Limited, whose hardware and software are designed to produce “immersive sports experiences” through “muscle-based haptics.” Asics’ funds will be helping bring to market Valkyrie’s EIR Armbands, which “combine virtual reality and electrical muscle stimulation.” The companies ...
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News briefs
Google introduces generative AI virtual try-on tool
In an attempt to replicate the online fitting room experience, Google has introduced a new generative artificial intelligence virtual fitting tool available through its search engine. It can initially only be used for women’s tops and only in the U.S. Shoppers can click on products with a “Try On” badge ...
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Article
Smart insoles supplier announces completion of investment round
Arion, a developer of smart insoles, has announced the successful completion of its latest multi-million dollar investment round for Deep Tech parent company Atogear, led by CEO Markus Hupach, former CEO of Sport 2000, since early 2022 (our sister publication The Outdoor Industry Compass reported at the time). The funds ...
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News briefs
Decathlon unveils 3D-printed shoe
Decathlon, in partnership with printing specialists HP and the Italian-based Lonati (manufacturer of circular knitting machines), unveiled an innovation in shoe manufacture at the ITMA trade show in Milan, presenting a 3D-printed shoe. The shoe combines a sock made using Lonati’s XT-Machine and Double Cylinder E1530XS knitting machines, which enable ...
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News briefs
NIP and Fila introduce jersey with ID chip for e-sports gamers
Source: Fila NIP x Fila Pro Kit E-sports legend Ninjas in Pyjamas (NIP) has announced the launch of its first collection with Italian sports brand Fila. Together, the two brands aim to define the future gaming style for fans and players around the globe. The NIP x ...
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Article
Materialise and Vuzix cooperate in smart glasses
Smart glasses supplier Vuzix and 3D-printing company Materalise have announced the start of their collaboration in the area of consumer smart eyewear, a market that is believed to be on the verge of mass adoption after years of development. As previously reported by our sister publication Eyewear Intelligence, the US-based ...
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News briefs
São Paulo FC goes virtual
The latest sports team to expand into a metaverse is São Paulo FC. According to the metaverse’s custodians, Crypto Blockchain Industries (CBI), the “audiovisual content” will cover the professional men’s team, the women’s team, youth teams and club news. Fans will be able to talk to one another and gain ...