#8 – Solving the Problem
Opportunity: Maintaining pace can be a difficult task for runners, especially outside. Many runners care about their pace but have no way to accurately track it due to the fact that current devices provide split times and not your real time speed. Running indoors on treadmills is substantially different because there are so many variables that influence a run outdoors.
Solution: Develop an app with an accessory ankle bracelet that would show your pace in real time. The user would enter their target pace into the app and the anklet would track the speed of your steps, which would then be calculated and displayed on the app if you were over or under your target pace. This calculation would be made based off the average of the last 5 seconds, in order to keep it in real time. If the user deterred from their pace, the anklet would give a slight vibration, notifying the user to either increase or decrease their speed. The anklet would continue to give a slight vibration every 5 seconds until the runner's pace matched the initial pace they entered into the app. The app and anklet would be calibrated specific to the runner based on things such as the runner’s height and stride in order to provide accurate results. Also, there will be an option to adjust your pace mid-run depending on how the runner is feeling or on the goals the runner has set. The app will have the capacity to be linked to an apple watch or can just be used on the smart phone, and the accessory anklet will be very similar to how some runner’s where a timing chip around their ankle when they compete in marathons, easy to put on and take off without interfering with the run.
(Yes I know we were told to avoid apps but I find this interesting.)
Solution: Develop an app with an accessory ankle bracelet that would show your pace in real time. The user would enter their target pace into the app and the anklet would track the speed of your steps, which would then be calculated and displayed on the app if you were over or under your target pace. This calculation would be made based off the average of the last 5 seconds, in order to keep it in real time. If the user deterred from their pace, the anklet would give a slight vibration, notifying the user to either increase or decrease their speed. The anklet would continue to give a slight vibration every 5 seconds until the runner's pace matched the initial pace they entered into the app. The app and anklet would be calibrated specific to the runner based on things such as the runner’s height and stride in order to provide accurate results. Also, there will be an option to adjust your pace mid-run depending on how the runner is feeling or on the goals the runner has set. The app will have the capacity to be linked to an apple watch or can just be used on the smart phone, and the accessory anklet will be very similar to how some runner’s where a timing chip around their ankle when they compete in marathons, easy to put on and take off without interfering with the run.
(Yes I know we were told to avoid apps but I find this interesting.)
Taylor,
ReplyDeleteOne issue I see with this idea is the use of both the anklet and phone. Would the phone need to be carried through the run? If so, the Nike run app would be all the consumer would need to track their run through GPS via the phone they are already carrying. Also, the Apple Watch hurts this idea as well, as it is already a portable, wearable version that can track a run. In terms of the pacing reminders, I think this is a good idea. The vibrations would have to be large enough for the runner to feel while in stride, however.
Hello Taylor! After thinking about the app and ankle bracelet more, and reading Christopher's response, I have a suggestion of my own. The opportunity is a good one in my opinion, but the execution of the cue to keep a steady pace could have various outlets. For instance, since many runners most likely listen to music with earbuds, there could be an audible cue for their pace if they so desire.
ReplyDeleteHi Taylor! After reading your opportunity and the other's comments, the problem that I think you will need to start looking at is what your competitors currently offer. I know that there are some pace bands that pride themselves on their accuracy. How would you market your product differently than your competitors? Love this idea and would love to try it out. Also, do you think that the ankle band would slow down the runner?
ReplyDelete