PlayerData, the sports wearable startup, has partnered with the Homeless World Cup Foundation. The company’s technology will be used at the 16th tournament for people affected by homelessness, in Mexico City this November.
The Mexican capital will welcome more than 500 players from over 40 countries, with 400 fast-paced games across four purpose-built pitches, around 200,000 spectators and millions more watching the event online.
PlayerData’s latest tracking system will be attached to every player and will relay data wirelessly to a base station that will update the event’s tournament site in real time. The same data will provide insights to players and coaches.
Co-founded in 2015 by former Edinburgh University computer science graduates Roy Hotrabhvanon (CEO) and Hayden Ball (CTO), PlayerData’s ‘PlayerData EDGE’ product is in final beta testing.
The product – which provides best-of-class data on biometrics, performance and technique for both individuals and teams – is targeting high value sports including football, cycling and golf, in addition to other industry sectors over time including gaming and healthcare.
PlayerData’s strategy is to sell into clubs first, then directly to consumers.
Their tech will offer our teams and fans an insight into teams’ performances like never before and I believe that this is the first of many exciting collaborations with them – Mel Young, Homeless World Cup Foundation.
Co-founder Roy Hotrabhvanon is a former international archer who has represented his native Thailand and narrowly missed out on a place at the Rio Olympics in 2016. PlayerData’s investor base includes Mike Welch, who is the company’s chairman, his investment advisory firm Full Circle Partners, and Sir Terry Leahy.
“We’ve got big plans to make a real impact in wearable tech, in sports to begin with but we’re already examining other markets,” said Hotrabhvanon. “It’s an exciting time for the team and our investors and as we close in on the end of beta testing with paying clients, and it’s an honour and privilege to be partnering with such a well-respected global tournament as the Homeless World Cup.”
Mel Young, co-founder of the Homeless World Cup Foundation, added: “We are really excited to be partnering with PlayerData. Their tech will offer our teams and fans an insight into teams’ performances like never before and I believe that this is the first of many exciting collaborations with them. We look forward to seeing the devices in action.”
Gartner has forecast growth of almost 50% in the global wearable electronic devices market and industry research predicts that the overall smart wearables market will grow in value to over $15bn by 2021. CSC Insight estimates sales of over five million wearable devices in the UK alone by 2016, growing to 14 million units in 2020.
PlayerData received early stage support from the Royal Society of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Innovation and Scottish Enterprise.