|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) announced the establishment of the Global Sports and Wellness Innovation Centre (GSWIC), marking a stride in the convergence of technology and sports. Founded in collaboration with the CUHK Centre for Clinical Research and Biostatistics and four industry partners, GSWIC aims to revolutionise the sports industry through innovative research and development initiatives.
At the heart of GSWIC’s mission lies the adaptation of CUHK’s pioneering AI-based Automatic Retinal Image Analysis (ARIA) technology into the realm of sports. Initially devised for assessing disease risks such as cardiovascular ailments, diabetes, and cognitive impairments, ARIA now finds a novel application in enhancing sports technology. Spearheaded by the CUHK Centre for Clinical Research and Biostatistics and HVB, technical research and patent provision form the cornerstone of GSWIC’s technological advancements.
Collaborating with the first partner, GSWIC seeks to harness the global SportsTech industry platform to propel the development and marketisation of its products. ABSG’s expertise in the sports technology landscape promises to imbue GSWIC’s offerings with unparalleled market appeal and global reach.
In the journey towards productisation, the second industry partner has stepped in to provide comprehensive research, development, and manufacturing services. By furnishing GSWIC with cutting-edge instruments for capturing retinal images, the company will accelerate the transformation of technology into tangible products. Concurrently, the third innovation partner will ensure financial sustainability through capital market financing, enabling GSWIC to realise its ambitious project objectives.
The application of ARIA technology in sports technology heralds a new era of performance evaluation and talent identification in athletes, both amateur and professional. Through machine learning analysis of retinal images, GSWIC aims to decipher sports-specific characteristics and predict athletic prowess across diverse disciplines. From cognitive function to physical attributes like strength, agility, and reaction time, ARIA’s multifaceted analysis promises to revolutionise talent scouting and performance optimisation in sports.
Furthermore, ARIA technology holds immense potential in the early detection and monitoring of sports-related injuries, particularly concussions in contact sports like American football and rugby. By facilitating early intervention and tailored rehabilitation strategies, GSWIC endeavours to safeguard athletes’ well-being and longevity in their respective sporting endeavours.
The Director of CUHK Centre for Clinical Research and Biostatistics envisions GSWIC as a catalyst for driving innovation and excellence in the sports industry. By fostering synergies between academia, industry, and research, GSWIC not only identifies elite talents but also fosters a culture of holistic wellness within the community.
The Founder/CEO of the first industry partner highlighted the organisation’s commitment to leveraging its global platform and CUHK’s resources to pioneer groundbreaking solutions for the sports industry. Through strategic partnerships and relentless innovation, the company endeavours to redefine the sports technology landscape across Hong Kong, mainland China, and beyond.
The Deputy General Manager of the second company reaffirmed the company’s unwavering support for GSWIC’s journey from research outcomes to commercialisation. Leveraging its extensive product development resources, the company aims to expedite GSWIC’s market penetration and investment acquisition with the backing of another partner’s expansive customer network.
The Chairman of the third partner sees GSWIC as a beacon of technological prowess and innovation in the sports arena. By amalgamating CUHK’s ARIA technology with the company’s global sports technology platform, GSWIC promises to deliver unparalleled returns for its stakeholders and shareholders alike.
Overall, GSWIC’s emergence highlights the seamless integration of technology and sports, heralding a new era of performance enhancement, talent identification, and injury prevention in the global sports landscape. Through collaborative endeavours and unwavering dedication, GSWIC aspires to redefine the boundaries of sports technology, driving positive outcomes for athletes, stakeholders, and enthusiasts worldwide.
