A spin-out business from the University of Bath has netted a £250,000 investment to help it deploy cutting-edge artificial intelligence that will revolutionise the way top sports stars train and perform.
Forceteck is already using its physics-based AI to create video footage of football and rugby players in action – with the big advantage that no lab set-up or fancy equipment is required, just a regular video.
The AI tracks movements and calculates key forces such as collision impact and ground reaction, essential for athletes in sports like rugby, football and basketball.
Coaches can use Forceteck to gain insights into how technique and power affect performance.
The platform allows them to run realistic simulations to see what happens with different training programs.
This means they can test strategies and adapt to each player’s unique needs, improving both individual and team performance.
Co-founder and CEO Dr Dario Cazzola from the university’s Department for Health said coaches often depended on gym tests and their instincts to gauge player readiness. But gym results do not always match how players perform on the field.
“Current on-field analysis is slow, costly and complicated. What we really need is better data, clearer insights and a system that easily fits into regular routines,” he added.
“Forceteck’s analysis and simulation solutions deliver exactly that.”
Pilot trials are already taking place with professional rugby and football teams in the UK. The European Space Agency (ESA) has also become its first paying customer.
Dr Cazzola added: “Astronauts are like high-performance athletes. In space they lose muscle mass and bone density. While professional teams monitor the player performance on the pitch, space agencies will be monitoring astronauts performance in space.”
The Forceteck team is also developing a sports entertainment offering. The concept is that Forceteck could provide augmented punditry for events such as the NFL and NBA during half-time.
Dr Cazzola said: “Imagine watching half-time analysis in the studio. The pundits could play a Forceteck video or a simulation of a tackle – you’d be able to see the forces and movements in detail. It would give new in-depth insights.”
The investment came from a group of private individuals.
