Gear Review
Wireless devices are revolutionizing so many different aspects of our lives.ย Our homes and our carsย to our consumption of media and entertainment, andย also our health and fitness, with everything seemingly linked to our smartphone.
The use of sensors is now common across the fitness industry in the form of heart rate monitors, specialized trackers, GPS, and integrated training tools. This technology is now crossing over into the realm of outdoor sports, and Elan Skis is leading the way.
The company recently introduced its Smart Ski Concept, a way to measure skiing dynamics and translate the information in real time.
Elan Skis is a popular ski manufacturer located in the Slovenian Alps. The company has been dedicated to improving the sport through product development and innovation since they were founded at the end of the Secondย World War in 1945. It consistently delivers world-class products and receives awards and praise in the design realm. One of their other latest innovations is a foldable ski, super convenient and portable in the backcountry.
The Smart Ski Concept debuted this year at ISPO with a demonstration of the technology integrated into its high-performance SLX Fusion ski. Attendees watched as the Smart Ski captured data from the sensation of skiing movement and relayed it onto a computer screen.
The Smart Ski Concept features sensors integrated into the body of the skis that measure the skierโs dynamics, creating accurate readouts ofย precise weight flex and balance distribution. When the skier carves a turn or executes a maneuver, the sensors react by capturing the data and relaying it to a cloud database where it can be stored and then analyzed.
The data serves as a precise self-coaching tool through which you can evaluate weaknesses in your style and make improvements to your technique, itโs like your own virtual skiing coach. The provision of real time feedback serves as a personalized training program at your fingertips.
โOur Smart Ski technology is a reflection of Elanโs leadership in innovation,โ stated Melanja ล ober, head of product management for Elanโs winter division, in a press release. โAs consumers are connected across every touch point of their daily lives, itโs an advancement not only for Elan, but also for the ski industry to connect technology between the skier and their skis.โ
Although the Elan Smart Ski Concept is still currently in the prototype phase and not yet ready for production, you can keep informed at the company’s website.
