Feldspar, a UK-based tech company, is building ‘the world’s first sensor-enabled performance running track’, with a goal to redefine athletic performance and live sports entertainment.
This new innovation is billed as the first major technological advancement in track running in nearly 60 years, laying a foundation for a new immersive experience in live sports.
Feldspar’s performance running track will incorporate advanced sensors in addition to camera-based methods to measure the movement of athletes through their footsteps and stride to capture data in real-time, bringing new levels of precision in analysing running performance.
Feldspar added that its next-generation modular sports flooring and software solution will integrate patent-pending technologies and state-of-the-art materials into the track design, enabling a novel and unprecedented way of energy return and conversion.
A prototype of the modular track is being developed in the UK, and Feldspar envisages that it will be used at a number of locations such as the UK, US and UAE.
This innovation will reportedly allow athletes to achieve a faster running speed compared to what is currently possible today and will ‘push the boundaries of human performance.’
‘Offering complex and historically hard-to-access data, such as stride length, acceleration rate and max velocity in real-time, this technology has the potential to revolutionise the spectator experience at live sports events as well as to attract new enthusiasts who value innovative, visually captivating, and tech-driven premier sports entertainment.’
Founded by former professional track runner Alvina Chen, the inspiration to reinvent the running track struck during her international racing career. The company has secured initial backing from Hong Kong-based investors which will be used to develop a high-performance running track prototype.
Feldspar will also integrate an AI-powered data analytics tool and sports tracking software platform to assist coaching and optimise training for athletes. This includes adjusting competition strategy before, during and after races, and identifying potential areas of injuries based on granular individual data and in-depth athlete profiles.
Alvina Chen, Founder and CEO of Feldspar, said “While we have seen a high level of innovation in running shoes, apparel, and training methods in recent years, it’s incredible that the modern synthetic running track itself has remained largely unchanged since the 1968 Summer Olympics.
“There is a huge opportunity in revolutionising this sport. By digitising the running track, Feldspar is not only providing new avenues for athletes’ development and pushing the boundaries of human performance but also moving athletics towards a new era of exhilarating, high-energy live international events, similar to what we see in other sports, like football and motorsports.”
Chen added, “Our ambition with our next generation running track is to set a new benchmark for athlete performance and fan engagement for future world competitions, including the Olympic Games, and beyond.”
Feldspar is working with engineers, industrial designers, and data scientists in the UK to develop the high-performance, premium running track prototype, with real-time testing set to begin later this year. Production of the flooring solution is expected to begin in 2025.
