Google and adidas teamed up to launch a new smart connected insole that turns real-life soccer moves into digital rewards on EA’s FIFA Mobile game.
It is not the first time Google brings its Jacquard smart wearable tech to apparel.
With the smart Levi’s jacket or the YSL backpack, Jacquard was used to perform quick smartphone actions by touching the fabric. Now Google is using its second-gen Tag sensor to transform the adidas GMR (pronounced “gamer”) insole into a skill tracking machine.
The new sensor is so small it can fit inside the insole. It also no longer requires to be constantly paired with your phone so that you can leave it behind when expressing yourself on the playing field. Google says it has managed to fit in a set of on-device machine learning algorithms that can process and collect your data and sync it back to your phone when you’re connected again.
The adidas GMR insole is also equipped with sensors that measure things such as acceleration and angular rotations, as well as neural networks that understand soccer patterns e.g. how fast you are running or how powerful your kicks are (pass vs goal shot.)
Finally, the new version of the Tag sensor comes with a smart power management system that allows it to use manage the use of available power and battery only when involved in intense activity.
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