BASKETBALL KEEPS INVENTING
SmartWatch Features
- Instant shot tracking including FT's, FG's and 3PT's
- Tracks both makes & misses
- Worn on non-shooting hand & weighs only 2.3 oz.
- Battery life up to 7 hours
- Memory holds 10 shooting sessions
- Custom shooting programs around each position...PG, SG, SF, PF, C
- Games keep shooting workouts fun including Score 100, 3 Point Contest, & Free Throw Challenge
- Shot Detector universally mounts to rim in 30 seconds
Software Features
- Free access to Hoop Tracker Software
- Track Progress/Set Goals
- Analyze strengths/weaknesses
- Detailed Box Score for every shooting session
- Compete with friends
- Win trophies/badges for great performances & milestones
- Share achievements on Facebook & Twitter
- Coach Mode allows tracking of up to 15 players
Hoop Tracker automatically tracks and instantly displays real-time shooting statistics from every major area on the court.
Imagine being able to track your shooting development daily, weekly, monthly, etc. How much more motivated and focused would you be knowing every shot counts because it's being tracked? Wouldn't you like to know when you reach the 1k point milestone or make 500 Three Pointers for the first time? These are just examples of the type of insight we can provide to your shooting sessions with our custom software.
The first step to improving is setting a benchmark to measure your progress against. Upload your shooting data to HoopTracker.com to track your game like a pro. From there you can track improvement, set goals, analyze strengths/weaknesses, compete with friends, win trophies to share on Facebook and Twitter, and so much more!
Upload your shooting session via your SmartPhone
Hoop Tracker is designed for both serious and casual players. Regardless of which describes you, Hoop Tracker makes shooting around more productive, fun, and competitive by giving you measurable results. Practice or play with a purpose.
Shooting around is fun but you know what's even more fun? Playing games while shooting around. Our games add a whole new level of excitement to practicing, all while helping to improve your shot. Compete against your personal best or your buddy's best for bragging rights and shareable trophies.
The smartwatch and shot detector instantly communicate after every shot. The shot detector senses when a basketball hits the backboard or rim, if the sensor goes off but does not result in the paddle lever being activated within 2 seconds (delay allows time for ball to bounce around) the rim detector will send a signal to the watch that the shot was missed. If the paddle lever is activated, then a signal is sent to the watch that the shot was made. It’s that easy.
Hoop Tracker is easy to set-up and use following these steps:
Step 1: Attach Watch to Non-Shooting Hand
Step 2: Mount the Shot Detector to the Rim
Step 3: Select Your Game or Training Program
Step 4: Follow Your Shooting Program
Step 5: SmartWatch and Shot Detector Record Every Shot
Where Are We Now?
Current Status: Bringing a new idea to life is never an easy task and Hoop Tracker is no exception. It’s taken over 3 years to design and develop Hoop Tracker. We have the working prototype for the watch and detector including all electronic components, software, and design. Hoop Tracker will be almost identical to what you see in the pictures and video.
Next Step: Setting up a product for mass production is an expensive process. Large expenses remaining include tooling, hardware components, and a minimum production run of 5k units. In addition, samples runs must be produced and shipped from overseas for testing.
How We Got Here: The last year has heavily revolved around prototype testing, revisions, and emphasis on user friendliness. The watch and detector have been accurately communicating and detecting shots for over 6 months. The shot detector design has been tested and tweaked to not affect the outcome of shots and remain securely mounted to the rim. We have worked with local basketball players to help design the user functionality including games and training programs.
Below are some of the behind the scenes pictures of the journey from the original prototypes to the product you see today:
We're partnering with a reputable overseas manufacturer that has been working with our engineering team, Aiello Designs, for many years. This was priority number one when it came to finding a suitable manufacturer for a complex electronic product. We need to make final arrangements with our manufacturer to begin the process of bringing Hoop Tracker to market. This includes custom tooling, buying parts, manufacturing, sample and stress testing.
Our production will consist of 2 phases: The first phase of production will be a small sample run for quality control and testing. To expedite the manufacturing process these units will be shipped via air freight to the US where they will be vigorously tested. Once the samples have been approved, the second phase or full production run of 5k units will be produced. These units will then be shipped to the US to be distributed to our Kickstarter backers!
Current State: We have a small number of prototypes built with all core functionality working. This allows verification of mechanical design, product appearance, LCD visibility, as well as insuring the watch is lightweight, comfortable, and easy to use. The shot detector has been tested for secure rim mounting, safety, and stability. Based on these developments we have finalized both mechanical and electronic design. The printed circuit board and bill of materials have been verified and finalized.
Next Step: Setting up mass production is an expensive process. In addition to the costs of purchasing 5k units, the manufacturer requires payment for custom tooling, line setup, testing setup, and purchasing the parts to build the units. This is where we need the help of Kickstarter backers like you!
What’s Left: We have not yet designed packaging but the materials have been included in the manufacturing price. The prototypes have proven to be extremely durable but nonetheless we will work with a US based parts supplier to handle the the repairs of any damaged units. Finally, distribution setup will be a primary focus once we’ve secured the resources for mass manufacturing.
Jason Duke (Hoop Tracker) founded Wireless Sports in 2010 around the idea of building the world’s first shot tracking basketball watch. Having played basketball for most of his life, he had a solid foundation of what basketball players would want and expect out of a product like Hoop Tracker. He combined his passion for basketball and technology with a solid business background to build Hoop Tracker into the product you see today. Jason was a key member in building one of the most successful sports nutrition companies in the world, BSN. His experience in launching ground-breaking products such as Syntha-6 and N.O.-Xplode were key in helping preparing him to design and develop Hoop Tracker. He enlisted the help of Justin Aiello for his 20+ years of expertise in engineering and design with a focus on early stage products.
Justin Aiello (Aiello Designs) has 20+ years experience developing new technologies for many industries. Justin was a partner is a NY Product Development firm specializing in business to business services before starting Aiello Designs. His company utilizes cutting-edge 3D CAD technology and the latest prototyping processes to bring each new invention to life. Aiello Designs specializes in taking products from idea stage to production packaged and ready to sell.
John Hooper (GoHooper Web Design) has a background in Electronic Engineering with over 18 years of experience with computing and web-based applications. He has a Degree in Electronic/Engineering from the University of Scranton, PA. John is both owner of GoHooper Web Design and COO/Partner of SEM in Nashville, TN where he heads up operations/development for several Corporate online marketing Companies. As owner of GoHooper Web Design his Web Agency offers Concierge Service for Web Development, Web Design, Graphic Design, Video Production, Social Media, SEO, Branding, Marketing, & Print.
GoHooper.com was brought onboard as part of the Hoop Tracker's team for its expertise in website design, graphics and public branding of their front-facing website. "We always enjoy projects such as Hoop Tracker with its innovation and technology, and accepting the challenge to conveying the product in such a manner as a Fortune 500 company could expect." - John Hooper
Developing Hoop Tracker has been a very challenging and exciting venture. We're approaching the finish line in bringing to market the First Basketball SmartWatch but we need your help. If you love basketball or know someone that does, please join us and become one of the first ever to own this ground breaking technology. Thank you and please spread the word!
Risks and challengesLearn about accountability on Kickstarter
Creating new technology is never without risks and challenges; however, after 3 years of development, design, and testing we’re confident we’ve already overcome the biggest obstacles in bringing Hoop Tracker to the market. The remaining challenges are not to be taken lightly but we're confident we can deliver Hoop Tracker by the estimated delivery date.
Engineering
We have the working prototype and the technology has been proven as seen in the video. This was by far the biggest challenge but duplicating over several thousand units can present it's own set of challenges. We're working with the top-flight engineering team at Aiello Design to overcome any challenges that might arise.
We have the working prototype and the technology has been proven as seen in the video. This was by far the biggest challenge but duplicating over several thousand units can present it's own set of challenges. We're working with the top-flight engineering team at Aiello Design to overcome any challenges that might arise.
Supply Chain and Logistics
This has been the biggest challenge for most Kickstarter projects so we're taking extra precautions due to this fact. Hoop Tracker is a very complex product with 113 parts. We've factored in a significant buffer to allow us to overcome any supply chain or logistic issues. This was the primary reason the delivery date was estimated at Sept. 2014. If we don't encounter these issues it's quite possible we could deliver well ahead of schedule but we'd much rather under promise and over deliver.
This has been the biggest challenge for most Kickstarter projects so we're taking extra precautions due to this fact. Hoop Tracker is a very complex product with 113 parts. We've factored in a significant buffer to allow us to overcome any supply chain or logistic issues. This was the primary reason the delivery date was estimated at Sept. 2014. If we don't encounter these issues it's quite possible we could deliver well ahead of schedule but we'd much rather under promise and over deliver.
No comments:
Post a Comment