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Sony’s Smart Tennis Sensor could be a must-have for every tennis player

Sony's Smart Tennis Sensor is as close to a game changer as tennis has seen for a while.
Editor
21st May, 2015
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I was worried about how useful Sony’s Smart Tennis Sensor would be as I stepped onto the court to give it a whirl, but it quickly became clear that the seemingly simple little sensor has the potential to drastically improve the game of anyone that’s even half serious about it.

The idea of putting a sensor in a tennis racquet to gather data is all well and good. Data’s great – if it can be interpreted in a meaningful way, that is.

Essentially, all ‘smart’ technologies need to actually be just that, smart enough to help, while placing zero burden on the user. What good is a bunch of data unless it’s easy to interpret and benefit from?

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So what does it do exactly?

The sensor, which attaches to the base of selected Wilson, HEAD, Prince, and YONEX racquets (priced in the $150-$300 range), uses newly developed vibration analysis mechanics, along with motion sensors, to track and store a huge range of data either in-racquet, in the cloud, or in the sensor’s smartphone app, available for iPhone and Android.

Along with how many shots you have made in a session, ball speed, swing speed, the level of ball spin, and where you struck the ball, the sensor is also smart enough to define each of your shots and categorise them for you to review.

This means you can easily compile all the data from just your serves, or just your volleys when gathering insights on a session.

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The ways you can consume this data are also well thought-out. You can either store the data in the sensor’s internal memory to sync later, review it immediately while playing, or watch the data in real-time with the option of video recording for review.

(Although the app does currently lack an export option – we’re told this is on the way – meaning you have to perform all the analysis of the data on your smartphone or tablet.)

Also, there’s something extra for Android smartwatch owners – the real-time monitoring of shot data can be viewed directly on your wrist (mid-game if you can risk the glance!).

But is it for you?

Being able to hit the court, then review your strengths and weaknesses, as well as set goals and track your progress over a period time is a powerful tool to improve your game for anyone, young or old, veteran or novice.

For people in that broad category, it would be a worthwhile purchase, providing insight to your game you may not otherwise receive.

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For coaches or serious players, it’s hard to see how most won’t be forced to eventually adopt and embrace this technology, with the risk being left looking like the old lady still stringing up her long-handled wooden racquet.

You simply can’t get insight like this any other way. No sense or knowledge for the game can match what this little red sensor can give you in an hour hitting a ball against a wall.

Is it really a game-changer?
It won’t change the game, but it will change many peoples’ game. There’s no doubt it will improve the ability of coaches to train players and, importantly, players to train themselves.

And there is also potential for non-players to get excited…

Stat-head sports fans love to gobble up data, and how this device delivers live data is an exciting prospect. Imagine watching a Grand Slam final knowing the degree of backspin on a Roger Federer drop-shot before it lands in the court! It’s a little mind-boggling

Further in that vein, it’s hard to not get excited about how the technology could be applied to other sports, especially those that involve wielding a racquet or bat of some variety.

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Where can you get one?
The Sony Smart Tennis Sensor will be available in Australia from May 14 for SRP $249 through Sony.com.au, Sony Kiosks, Sony Centres and leading sporting outlets.

This article originally appeared on Techly.

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