UPDATED 09:00 EDT / JULY 08 2015

NEWS

Coaching b-ball through Apple Watch, Onyx Motion launches Swish app on Indiegogo

Hoping to revolutionize how athletes improve their game, Onyx Motion, Inc. is launching a coaching app called Swish targeted at basketball players.

Onyx Motion has partnered with NBA athlete Ben Gordon, who will serve as Swish’s director of innovation to bring high caliber coaching to players at all levels in training. Swish will utilize motion sensors to analyze an athlete’s technique and provide easy-to-understand tips.

Swish was founded by University of Toronto engineering student Marissa Wu, who is also the CEO of Onyx Motion, to build a player’s skills in real-time with data, tips and inspiration provided by pro athletes. As Swish monitors an athlete’s improvements, the app adjusts so it can provide better tips for each user as they improve their game. Swish’s proprietary algorithm inferences the user’s entire body including jump timing, specific angles and consistency.

It appears the app will utilize sensors from existing wearables like the Apple Watch and Samsung Gear smartwatch to analyze players’ moves. The Swish app will provide specific tips like when to increase speed in order to improve shooting by five percent, turning raw data into coachable moments for players.

Swish by Onyx Motion

“The Swish technology is bringing users closer to their favorite basketball player by giving them the opportunity to learn from them,” said Gordon. “I’m excited to work with the team on the further development of this one-of-a-kind experience and help players at any level improve their game.”

To that end, the app will also feature premium packs for $1.99 that customize coaching tips around specific NBA players, for those that want to perform like one famous athlete over another.

“Here at Onyx Motion, we are building the next generation of AI for sports coaching,” said Wu. “Swish allows mobile devices to break into physical interaction to a point where it can tell you what to do to get better. Our goal was to create a health and fitness device that would give personal recommendations, not just churn out numbers.”

Onyx Motion has launched a campaign on Indiegogo, Inc. to raise $10,000 for the launch of a Swish Android Wear app, as well as the development of an Apple Watch and capabilities for other sports. Early funders, depending on the amount they donate, are offered everything from discounted Swish app packages to one-on-one coaching session with Gordon.

To learn more about Onyx Motion, you can visit the company’s FAQ page which includes background information, technical details, photos, and more details about Onyx Motion’s wearable applications.

Photos courtesy Onyx Motion, Inc.

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