RGU has joined forces with an Aberdeen-based technology company to take a new coaching tool to the next level.
The mobile CoachCam app, developed by Sport Technology Services (STS), allows users to analyse their match performance, just like the football experts on television.
The tool – already being used by English football giants Manchester United – makes it possible for users to take a piece of video footage and use drawing tools to mark up, highlight and comment on frames.
It also allows the coach to cut around a player and move them in order to illustrate, for example, improved positioning.
Now, the university has teamed up with STS as part of a £121,000 Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) aimed at developing the sporting software.
During the two-year project, a team from the univerity’s school of computing science and digital media will help STS take CoachCam to the next level by introducing more intelligent and interactive features.
Additions to the software will produce a platform for observing, analysing and providing objective feedback to people practicing sport.
KTP associate Pamela Johnston will undertake the design and development of the tool’s new features with STS head of technology Alan Ritchie, under the supervision of RGU lecturer Eyad Elyan.
Mrs Johnston said it would be great to apply academic advancements to real life situations.
She added :”It is a particularly exciting time to join STS with the recent launch of CoachCam and with RGU’s partnership we will be able to develop even more new features and products.”
Mr Elyan added: “This is a very exciting project to be involved in and provides a unique opportunity for RGU to transfer knowledge and research in advanced imaging and machine learning techniques and to help STS stay ahead of the game in the sports industry.
“Vitally, the proposed solution will open market opportunities beyond the sport industry and STS to explore alternative markets, such as health and fitness, training and education, physiotherapy and remedial exercise.”