U.S. Ski & Snowboard and Google have partnered to create a groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence in Sports tool that analyzes athlete performance in skiing and snowboarding. This tool uses video to track movement in 3D and gives coaches real-time feedback, making training more precise and improving safety on the slopes.
The AI tool was developed by Google Cloud engineers working with U.S. ski and snowboard teams in tough environments like Austria and Colorado. Traditionally, coaches either watched athletes in person or used sensors in labs, but this new tool uses just a smartphone camera to track the athlete's body through their gear without needing special suits or sensors.
With this new system, coaches can record video of athletes from the sidelines or the bottom of a run, and the tool quickly processes the footage. It tracks the athlete’s movement and gives insights like how fast they need to spin to complete a trick. The tool also stores all data in one place, so coaches can track progress over time and focus on areas for improvement.
Executive Statement
According to Anouk Patty, chief of sport, U.S. Ski & Snowboard, this new sports technology AI tool is a major coaching development. Video is the most commonly used and effective coaching tool, but analyzing it used to be a manual, time-consuming process. By working to create an AI tool that works with a smartphone, they can now analyze competition-grade footage with an extra layer of insight. This isn't just about winning medals; it's about providing their athletes with the safest and most advanced training environment in the world.