Suunto is one of the dinosaurs in the wearable space. They recently launched Movesense and will also present and exhibit at the WT | Wearable Technologies Conference 2017 EUROPE in Munich on February 7-8. Here a short interview with Terho Lahtinen, Senior Manager, Future Concepts at Suunto, about Movesense:
1) Can you tell us what Movesense is about?
Movesense is a development environment for motion sensing solutions. It consists of a tiny, sports proof sensor that has an open internal API for developing apps that run in the sensor, software libraries for building compatible smart phone apps for iOS and Android, and a smart connector that is used to attach the sensor to apparel and gear and to launch context specific applications in the sensor. With these elements, it is possible to measure motion in all sports in the world and anyone can build their own application.
2) Why did you come up with this idea?
We have been playing around motion sensing already for a while and thought it is very interesting. Then some platform elements became available from another project that enabled us to put the system together. We immediately saw the huge opportunities of a simple, low-cost sensor that can measure any motion. We soon realized that the opportunity is so big that, in order to properly seize it, we should make our API’s open and invite all interested parties to utilize them in their own products.
3) What’s the advantage of using Movesense?
If you are planning to develop a motion sensing concept, with Movesense you can skip the costly and difficult hardware development and focus directly on your own expertise, i.e. building the actual application that delivers the end user value. If you are not yet in the wearables market but would like to enter, Movesense opens a way to quickly and cost effectively go from an idea to prototyping, field testing and into production.
4) Can you tell us more about the Movesense developer beta program?
Before we open the API’s for everyone, we first run a short beta program to ensure the maturity of the APIs and other system components. We are also testing our own support capability in a limited scale first.
5) Movesense is launched by Amer Sports. So you do have quite a knowledge of the market. What do you think is going to be the next big trend in wearables?
We firmly believe that, at least within our own domain, sports, motion sensing will be the next big thing after heart rate and GPS. With motion measurement, you can start tracking and analyzing strength & speed training, skills & technique, team tactics, statistics and much more. Currently, most solutions for these areas are so expensive that they are available for professional athletes only or require fixed settings in a sports lab or a sports arena. Small and simple wearable motion sensors will change this. With Movesense, we intend to be strongly contributing to the trend.
6) What’s your favorite wearable device and why (besides your own)?
I love the concept of ReimaGO, an activity tracker for kids, which is both motivating, fun and useful unlike many other activity trackers.
You want to meet Terho in person and learn more about Movesense? Then register today for the 11th anniversary of the WT | Wearable Technologies Conference in Munich on February 7-8 before prices go up on January 15.
