Marlin, from start-up company Platysens, is a swim meter that provides real-time audio feedback to swimmers. Founded by sport enthusiasts in 2014, Hong Kong-based Platysens adds that its sports sensors are designed to help athletes understand their performance.
Marlin was inspired by a quest to improve pace awareness while swimming in open water, and in turn the Marlin device has developed into a multipurpose training aid that can also be used in the pool. The brand’s goal is to let swimmers and triathletes understand their pace, so that it can, in turn, be improved.
Marlin launched via a Kickstarter campaign on 25 July 2016. This runs to 24 August 2016 with planned delivery of the device in January 2017.
Features
- Natural user interface – To help ensure that every motion of a swim stroke maximises performance, Marlin makes use of voice prompts using ‘the latest in bone conduction audio technology’, to allow swimmers to access information they want without interruption.
- Swim activity tracking – Whether it is in open water or in a pool, Marlin can report distance/laps, splits/lap time and speed to a swimmer while they swim. GPS is used in open water and motion algorithms are used while in the pool.
- Navigation – By setting waypoints before a swim in Marlin through the device’s accompanying App, Marlin will notify swimmers when they reach each waypoint. When a swimmer steers off course, Marlin can guide a swimmer back on track with audio cues.
- Session trainer – Swimmers can pre-set customized programs for personal training purposes, which can be configured via Bluetooth synchronization.
- Marlin Modes – Open Water mode and Pool Mode
The Marlin App is available on iOS and Android and is free for download. Users of the Marlin App can:
- Download data from Marlin through Bluetooth
- Configure all settings on the Marlin device
- Review previous workout summaries from Pool to Open Water
- Define waypoints and set courses for navigation
- Configure session trainer programs and download to device
- Export data for external applications
The full Marlin device has an MSRP of US$150 – and is available via Kickstarter a reduced price of US$90. Marlin-P, for pool use only, has most features except GPS. MSRP US$120 / Kickstarter US$72.
Platysens has been part of the iIncu-Tech Programme at the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park since 2014. This is a 3-year incubation program designed to help start-ups with subsidized workspaces and support services.
The company has also received funding from Hong Kong’s Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) as part of its Small Entrepreneur Research Assistance Programme (SERAP). These funds are used to support part of Platysens’ research and development costs.
