In Augmented Reality News
December 5, 2023 – FORM, the sports wearable technology company behind the augmented reality (AR) FORM Smart Swim Goggles, has recently announced the launch of ‘HeadCoach,’ a first-of-its-kind digital swim coach that provides swimmers with real-time, in-goggle coaching.
Swimming is a highly technical sport, but without the guidance of a coach on deck, identifying and addressing technique flaws can be a challenge, according to FORM. HeadCoach was created to address that problem head-on, and provides swimmers with improved access to technique awareness, focused skill development, and in-app education and analysis.
HeadCoach provides real-time visual coaching via the FORM Smart Swim Goggles’ augmented reality (AR) display. During and after a swim, HeadCoach shows swimmers technique feedback using two types of metrics: ‘FORM Score’ and ‘HeadCoach Skills.’
FORM Score is a measurement of overall swim efficiency ranging from 0 to 100, defined by pace and stroke length. HeadCoach Skills encompasses five key areas that help swimmers identify where to focus on improving their efficiency: head roll, head pitch, set pacing, interval pacing, and breathing time-to-neutral. It also assigns swimmers a rating from 0 to 100 for each of the HeadCoach Skills, an assessment that highlights where improvement is needed and demonstrates when progress is being made.
FORM stated that with HeadCoach, swimmers can access tailored educational resources and video content in the FORM Swim App. Once back in the pool, swimmers can use the HeadCoach Skills mode in their AR swim goggles to select the area they want to focus on. Overall technique is the single biggest limiter to improving speed in the water, according to FORM, but now swimmers can receive coaching on specific skills such as head pitch, and watch how their FORM Score improves over time.
Each skill will have a unique and gamified exercise to help swimmers hone their technique, and after completing a session, swimmers can check back in the app to track their progress. HeadCoach will provide swimmers, from beginner to expert, with data-driven guidance and understanding, enabling them to boost their performance and speed.
“At FORM, we’ve reinvented how athletes train in the water by providing swimmers with real-time data through the FORM Smart Swim Goggles’ unique AR display. Today, with the launch of HeadCoach, we’re taking that innovation one step further by giving swimmers access to a digital swim coach in their goggles and on their phone,” said Dan Eisenhard, CEO of FORM. “HeadCoach marks a new chapter for FORM, providing unparalleled insights into swim performance and empowering swimmers of all levels to unlock new potential.”
With the launch of the FORM Smart Swim Goggles in 2019, FORM introduced real-time metrics, activity tracking, and data visualization to the world of triathlon and swimming. In 2021, FORM introduced guided in-goggle workouts and training plans. Now, with the Launch of HeadCoach, FORM is aiming to transform the industry with individualized, live coaching.
HeadCoach is available now for FORM Premium subscribers in the FORM Smart Swim Goggles and on the FORM App. For more information on FORM, please visit the company’s website.
Image / video credit: FORM / YouTube
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Sam is the Founder and Managing Editor of Auganix. With a background in research and report writing, he has been covering XR industry news for the past seven years.