Will the Machines Take Over… the Ice?

We continue to have fears that our reliance on technology could lead to the machines taking over, but maybe that is because we watch too many Terminator and The Matrix films (even the bad ones). Now there is news that the machines might not actually be in the process of taking over all mankind, maybe they’re just focused on the ice. Hockey Robotics is a newly created company born out of the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, and they specialize in hockey stick design, performance and durability testing.

Thus they haven’t actually created a robot hockey player, but rather the first very dynamic hockey stick testing robot, which is reportedly capable of properly mimicking the professional hockey slap shot. The company plans to launch this robot testing tool this summer.

So far Hockey Robotics has garnered the support of SBK Hockey, a leading Quebec-based hockey brand, and the company offers standardized hockey testing services to other brands, manufacturers, leagues and teams. But hockey players should worry that the robots will take them off the ice… at least for now!

Hockey Robotics Official Website

Women’s Ski Jumping Approved for 2014 Sochi Olympic Games

It’s hard to believe there’s been no women’s ski jump in the Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) just approved the sport for the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. The approval follows the two-time recommendation by the International Ski Federation. Before the 2014 Winter Olympics, three World Championships will have taken place. Continue reading Women’s Ski Jumping Approved for 2014 Sochi Olympic Games

Trimble Updates AllSport GPS Apps for Android

Trimble released new versions of its AllSport GPS app for the Android Market. This includes AllSport GPS Pro ($3.99) and AllSport GPS (free). The programs collect more than 20 fitness stats and calculate calories burned to help people reach their fitness goals. AllSport GPS apps track 14 outdoor fitness activities including running, cycling, skiing and walking. The apps also let you access real-time weather forecasts, chart workouts over time, and view street and park maps.

Continue reading Trimble Updates AllSport GPS Apps for Android

Ubisoft and Gatorade Work It Out for Your Shape

This week video game publisher Ubisoft along with sports drink maker Gatorade announced a new new partnership to deliver a workout series designed specifically for fitness athletes for Ubisoft’s popular video game Your Shape: Fitness Evolved, which is available exclusively on Kinect for Xbox 360video game and entertainment system

Gatorade has enlisted the talents of celebrity-trainer Gunnar Peterson to develop a workout series created around the G Series FIT, their new line of innovative products for fitness athletes. The Gatorade-inspired workouts are now available as a free download from the Xbox LIVE marketplace. The ‘G Series FIT Workout with Gunnar Peterson’ offers personalized training sessions with one of the country’s top celebrity and athlete trainers and the workout plan is designed to inspire and fuel the inner athlete in everyone. The downloadable workout plan includes a 30-minute full-body toning program, and introduces new exercises including jumping jacks, squat raises, lunges, and other new moves that integrate free weights and dumbbells.

After the workout gamers can recharge with a Gatorade, because we think they’ll have earned it!

Your Shape: Fitness Evolved Official Website

Train with the UFC on Kinect

Want to train like a UFC fighter? It doesn’t need to be intimidating. THQ is releasing UFC Personal Trainer: The Ultimate Fitness System, a fitness-oriented game due out this June. UFC, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, is an organization that pits different style fighters against one another. Fitness routines and full programs are designed to challenge and motivate users looking to get in shape. That includes over 70 mixed martial arts (MMA) and National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)-approved exercises. Benefit from disciplines such as wrestling, kickboxing and Muay Thai. Each workout is designed to improve strength, endurance and conditioning through the routines. All 51 routines, along with nine exclusive bonus routines on the Kinect for Xbox 360 version, will be specialized to target specific muscle groups, and factor individual skill levels and fitness goals.

UFC Personal Trainer was designed by the NASM and support from MMA training experts Mark DellaGrotte, Greg Jackson and Javier Mendez, who have worked with UFC fighters.

UFC Fitness Trainer: The Ultimate Fitness System Official Website

Is Fitness Headed to the Cloud?

Not everyone has time to head to the gym, and many business travelers know it is even hard to squeeze in a good workout, let alone make the time to meet with a trainer. But is it possible the fitness could be heading to the cloud, as in cloud computing?

The concept of the cloud is that data, information and even software isn’t locally stored or accessed, but rather connected to via the Internet. Thus the information and software lives in the “cloud.” Now some companies are looking to bring this type of off-site connectivity to fitness. Among these is Core Performance, which was recently profiled in NetworkWorld. As the story notes:

“Core Performance is using business rules software from IBM to automate the application of expertise gleaned by training elite athletes. The company is an offshoot of Athletes’ Performance, which provides training, nutrition and physical therapy programs to professional athletes. While Athletes’ Performance focuses on training its pro sports clientele, Core Performance is creating fitness programs and equipment geared for everyday people. Using IP-enabled exercise gear and cloud-based applications is key to its delivery model.” Continue reading Is Fitness Headed to the Cloud?

Fitbit Partners With New API

This week Fitbit announced the availability of its beta API, along with new key partners that include RunKeeper, Microsoft, About.Me and others. The Fitbit Tracer device and companion web-based data aggregation technology can be used to track weight, nutrition, exercise, sleeping schedules and more. It is a wearable device that clips onto clothing or slips into a pocket. It features accelerometer technology to help track daily health activities including steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned and even sleep quality. This data is then wirelessly uploaded to the Fitbit website.

This company has announced that it has raised $9 million in new funding led by The Foundry Group. The big news this week is that the new Fitbit API will allow third-party developers to integrate Fitbit data in their own applications, products and services and also to read and write data for users’ Fitbit activities, food logs and other data in real time. Users can thus connect with fitness and weight loss apps such as RunKeeper and Lose It, and import and publish data into into their apps. About.me users will be able to display real Fitbit stats on their profile through use of the API and Microsoft HealthVault allows users to upload daily activities and sleep sessions into HealthVault. And Last Fall, FitBit announced an integration with Google Health.

We’ve long said that fitness is good when it is done with a partner, and apparently Fitbit thought the same thing.

[Via Techcrunch: Fitbit Partners With RunKeeper, Microsoft, About.Me And Others With New API]

FitBit Official Website

Self Balancing Skateboard Arrives

One problem with learning to ride a skateboard is simply maintaining balance. Staying on the board is the other problem, but again it comes down to balance. If you could solve the former problem, the latter one would be less of an issue.

Now it seems that a few people have tackled the problem by incorporating the same technology used in the Segway scooter into a deck, which was unveiled at Maker Faire 2011. The question here is whether this things is technically still a skateboard or just a revised Segway with a flat board?

Orange is an Apple to Our Eye

While Americans may know British autos such as Mini Cooper (now owned by Germany’s BMW), Land Rover and Rolls Royce, most probably don’t know Orange Bikes. Over the years I’ve spent enough time in the UK to know and appreciate the company’s dedication to unique hand built bicycles.

Orange has not made much – if any – impact in the United States and that’s a shame. So it is unlikely that any Yanks will be among those riding the (very) limited edition Five Pro Blackout. With only 25 reportedly being made, the Blackout is a true black beauty that might just seem mythical – even in the UK, most riders will probably never see on. The bike will come outfitted with Hope Tech X2 components, with an option to upgrade to Hope Tech M4 SE. Neither option will come cheap, and the bike will reportedly retail for around $4900.

But more importantly, will the bike make its appearance on this side of the Pond? Only if someone here is very lucky.

[Via Bike Rumor: ORANGE BIKES (VERY) LIMITED EDITION FIVE PRO BLACKOUT]

Orange Mountain Bikes Official Website

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Reformer Like Medieval Torture Device

During the Late Middle Ages there was the Reformation, Counter-Reformation and of course the Spanish Inquisition. These saw non-believers “punished” in a variety of ways – and here is where the name “Pilates Reformer” comes to mind.

According to Well+Good NYC, 1,500 exercisers went to the ER because of equipment-rated accidents (source: Consumer Product Safety Commission). One product mentioned is the “Reformer.”

While not a true Kinetic(Mis)Shift, we think there is a concern with devices such as Pilates Reformer. So our word of wisdom is to be sure to read the instructions, or ask for guidance prior to using any new equipment. More importantly know your limits.

Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for their utter lack of fitness benefits.

Giro Makes Us All Lightheaded

If a helmet’s aim is to protect your head in a crash, it’s goal is to provide ventilation and be lightweight. Following the introduction of the Specialized Prevail at Interbike last fall, Giro just announced its Aeon performance road helmet. This one was introduced over the weekend at the Tour of Flanders. The Aeon weighs in at 222 grams (size medium), 28 percent lighter than comparable helmets such as the lonos and close in weight to the Prolight. Continue reading Giro Makes Us All Lightheaded

Audi Sports ‘Wood’

Bicycles and automobiles are more intertwined that you may think. Several automobile manufacturers were actually started as bicycle manufacturers or key players dabbled with bicycles before becoming involved with automobiles. The now defunct Pierce-Arrow Motor Corporation started as a bicycle manufacturer and Carlo Maserati got his start in engines while working at a bicycle manufacturer near Milan, Italy. In recent year, Porsche, Ferrari, BMW, Cadillac and Mercedes have lauched their own line of bicycles to more than likely capture additional revenue after they have sold an automobile. The new car owner can buy the hat, jacket, pen, sunglasses…why not the bike? Saab was clever and sold a Saab bicycle that was folding so that it could fit inside your car just in case you could not park near your final destination. Most of the modern bicycles offered by automobile manufacturers are in reality designed and built by bicycle manufacturers. It is possible that the car company designs the bikes and specs the components, but they certainly are not making them. Continue reading Audi Sports ‘Wood’

Pedal Power Gets Boost From Powerpedals

Going out for a spin can mean a good workout, but if you’re spinning to work sometimes you can use a little help with the pedal power. To that end Powerpedals is on the way. Enter the Tonaro electric bicycles, which feature a revolutionary central drive technology that makes electric cycling more efficient and gives riders more freedom when shifting and when choosing how to ride.

“Every so often a radical new design comes along and changes everything. So it is with Tonaro’s patented central drive technology and electric bicycles,” said Philip Hughes of Powerpedals. “The entire drive system is housed within the pedal cranking system and the bracket mount motor enables the bikes gears to be used with the motor. This allows you to down shift for hills and to shift up to higher gears as you gain speed.” Continue reading Pedal Power Gets Boost From Powerpedals