CARLSBAD, CALIF. — A new player in the sensor-driven sports training technology market, Blast Motion, is now shipping its first product, Blast Baseball, a swing analytics sensor that attaches to the knob of a baseball or softball bat.
Developed in close collaboration with semiconductor supplier STMicroelectronics, Blast Baseball’s dirt-proof, shockproof and waterproof sensor weighs less than an ounce.
Bluetooth smart technology transmits precise swing analytics to any iOS device running Blast’s free app. The app syncs to the device’s camera and overlays an overall “Blast Factor” — a metric that combines key data to quantify the power and efficiency of each swing — on a video clip of the swing. The data or video clip can be shared with anyone running the app or to social-media sites.
The Blast can distinguish between practice swings and real hits and can store swing information when the sensor is out of range of its partnered mobile device.
“Essentially invisible, Blast Baseball lets players focus on the game without changing their natural swing and provides access to important metrics when they want them,” said Roger Weingarth, Blast’s president and COO. “It is important to us that Blast Baseball not only track key metrics, but give users new ways to interact with the data. They can track and learn about their swings, compare metrics and easily share that information with coaches and friends.”
“We developed Blast Factor, which is an effective training tool, but it’s also a great way to have an impromptu contest in the batting cages,” added Michael Fitzpatrick, Blast’s chairman/CEO.
The company’s second product, Blast Golf Putt, attaches to a golf putter and analyzes putting strokes in the same way. It is available for pre-order.
Blast’s roadmap is for a full portfolio of sport-specific wearables using STMicroelectronics sensors.
Available now, Blast Baseball includes Blast’s Precision motion sensor, bat attachment and Blast Baseball App download for $149 from BlastMotion.com/Baseball.