WIN REALITY Tracker
Category
AR / VRConsumer electronicsIot products
SERVICES
Feasibility Study
Hardware engineering
Firmware engineering
Prototyping
2022
THE CHALLENGE
In the rapidly evolving world of virtual reality gaming, sports simulations have become a popular and immersive choice for amateurs and professionals. However, traditional Virtual Reality devices are often limited to general body movement, missing nuances in hand positioning and action.
WIN Reality is a virtual reality-based training platform designed to help baseball and softball players improve their skills through realistic, game-speed simulations. The WIN Reality team approached AJProTech with the idea of designing a lightweight, ergonomic, and highly accurate wearable device to track players’ movements in Virtual Reality. The device needed to capture bat movements during fast-paced gameplay without disrupting the athlete’s natural motion.
THE OPPORTUNITY
AJProTech, in collaboration with WIN Reality, has developed a wearable device that captures precise data from bat movements and bat positioning during high-speed gameplay. The device integrates the collected data into Virtual Reality, providing players and coaches with accurate, real-time feedback. This solution enables athletes to refine their skills and improve performance through data-driven strategies tailored to their specific needs.
THE SOLUTION
WIN Reality has been using standard Oculus Quest Controllers placed on the bat to capture bat movements.
However, standard Quest controllers are bulky, might get lost during training, and offer quite limited accuracy at fast bat swings.
During the process of Feasibility Study AJProTech team considered 3 ideas how to capture bat movements the most efficient way:
1. External cameras to detect bat position
2. Sensors on the bat;
3. Wearable device.
Wearable device was chosen as the most universal, comprehensible, cost-effective variant, which maintains high accuracy of positioning. We integrate advanced motion sensors and microcontrollers within a durable, lightweight frame. This design enables precise tracking of hand movements while ensuring comfort and minimal distraction for players. The device communicates seamlessly with a Meta Quest headset for real-time performance analysis, empowering players with actionable data.
Product design
The product design of the kinetic tracker focuses on blending compact functionality with ergonomic and durable construction. The device’s form factor ensures comfort during extended use, particularly in dynamic activities like baseball training in Virtual Reality. Materials are selected for shock resistance and durability to withstand high-impact activities. Additionally, the stylish enclosure design ensures the tracker is both aesthetically appealing and practical for various applications.
MECHANICAL DESIGN
For this project, we selected a wristband as the most versatile form factor. AJProTech focused on an ergonomic design that contours to the wrist, maintaining flexibility and minimizing interference with wrist movements. Durable, shock-resistant materials were selected to withstand the physical demands of baseball, ensuring the tracker performs well even in high-impact conditions.
During the testing phase, the team confirmed that placing the tracker on the hand provides a fairly accurate measurement of bat positioning. While attaching the tracker directly to the bat offers greater precision, placing it on the hand is more comfortable and still maintains reliable accuracy.
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Kinetic tracker is built around Accelerometers capturing bat movements and BLE controller streaming data to Oculus Quest Headset.
Each of two IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) inside the kinetic tracker combines a gyroscope, accelerometer, and control unit for data processing. The IMU tracks rotational speed and motion force across three axes at high frequencies, delivering a seamless VR experience.
Two accelerometers are used to accurately capture both high-speed and low-speed movements, enhancing precise bat positioning. Power consumption is optimized for long battery life with automatic wakeup function.
The WR kinetic tracker is powered by the Nordic NRF52 chip, SoC that supports Bluetooth Low Energy. This allows compatibility with Oculus Quest headsets and smartphones.
FIRMWARE DEVELOPMENT
The WR kinetic tracker is built on a Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) that efficiently manages key functions, including data collection, Bluetooth communication, and cellular connectivity. This RTOS enables the system to perform tasks concurrently, ensuring smooth operation and minimal latency, which is essential for real-time tracking accuracy. Additionally, the system supports Over-the-Air firmware updates, enabling seamless feature enhancements and bug fixes. The firmware has been meticulously optimized to maximize operating time, improve power efficiency, and ensure precise positioning. AJProTech firmware engineers achieved ultra low latency and maximum throughput of BLE communication to deliver seamless game experience without visible delays.
The AJProTech team developed an Android mobile app to test data collection during the project development process.
PROTOTYPING
During the development of the WR Tracker, AJProTech engineers went through several iterations.
01.
In the initial prototyping phase, we used a development kit to speed up firmware testing and hardware integration. This kit allowed for efficient testing of features like data gathering, Bluetooth communication, and sensor compatibility within the firmware.
02.
After initial testing with development kits, custom PCB was developed for schematics debugging and validation. Complete schematics and functionality were validated in real-life situations being placed on the bat during training.
03.
After schematics and firmware validation, custom PCB in a compact form factor was designed. AJProTech engineers developed a compact PCB for a wearable device. User-friendly enslosures were prototyped by 3D printing first and then produced using silicon molding for perfect quality without high cost of traditional injection molding.
HOW IT WORKS
During the development of the WR Tracker, AJProTech engineers went through several iterations.
01.
The user puts the device on their wrist. Tracker turns on and connects to Oculus Quest automatically.
02.
The WR tracker includes two accelerometers for precise bat positioning at high and low speed.
03.
Data from the kinetic tracker is streamed to the Oculus headset via BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy).
04.
The WIN Reality application processes the data received from the kinetic tracker to analyze movements and reconstruct trajectory.
05.
Players can view the bat’s movement trajectory along with recommendations for timing and bat placement to improve their performance.
IMPACT
- WIN Reality secured a $45 million investment to advance innovation and expand training tools. AJProTech contributed to the product development, helping drive the project’s success.
- By providing athletes with data-driven insights and access to over 7,000 real-life pitcher profiles, it supports training for players at all levels, from youth to professional.
- The Kinetic Tracker is an innovative technology that provides deeper insights into form, stance, and technique.
- A joint study by WIN and MLB (Major League Baseball) found that players using WIN as a game-prep tool saw a 19% boost in batting averages, a 12% increase in on-base percentages, and an 18% improvement in plate discipline. Over the past year, players have faced nearly 40 million pitches on the WIN
Jessy Easdon
