CSR plc (LSE: CSR; NASDAQ: CSRE) today announced that its CSR1000™ Bluetooth Smart (low energy) single-mode platform has been chosen by Nike for the newly launched Nike+. Nike+ connects digitally-enabled footwear with an interactive smartphone application and an online community to create a revolutionary sporting experience. The launch includes two new experiences, Nike+ Basketball and Nike+ Training. Three new shoes featuring Nike+ technology, which are part of the Lunarlon® collection, have been available in stores since Friday, 29 June 2012.
The Nike+ training and basketball shoes include pressure sensors in the base of each shoe that collect data about the user’s movements. This data is then wirelessly transmitted to the user’s smartphone using the CSR1000, a Bluetooth Smart (low energy) platform that enables ultra low-power connectivity in a small package. Data can be synced live or at the end of the session via the app and Nike+ online tool. It is then translated into different metrics to provide information about either a user’s workout or their game, for example how fast they have run or how high they have jumped. Users can then share their results on online social networks including the Nike+ community.
“Nike+ gives users invaluable information on their progress and allows them to share and compete with themselves and their friends to create a truly motivational sporting experience," said Joep Van Buerden, CEO at CSR. "We’re delighted that Nike has chosen CSR’s technology. Vital to the success of Nike+ is that it offers a great user experience and we have striven to ensure that our platform technology supports that vision.”
Because Bluetooth Smart is a new technology, CSR worked with Nike to develop optimised mechanisms for transferring data. The collaboration created a powerful technology platform which enabled Nike early entry into the market with Nike+.
“CSR1000 is part of CSR’s µEnergy® platform which enables developers to unlock the flexibility and full potential of the new Bluetooth Smart standard by creating compact, power-efficient products with mobile application and cloud service connectivity for the first time,” concluded Van Buerden.
Notes to editors
Nike+ Basketball, developed in conjunction with LeBron James, measures how high, how hard and how quick players play the game via the 'Track My Game' mode. The Nike+ enabled basketball shoes track information on every movement during the game and deliver back information to the user, giving them a basis from which to improve. Messages from Nike+ Basketball players and coaches provide motivation when goals are reached. The experience also offers 'Showcase' mode, a feature that allows players to record a dunk and superimpose their live data on the video, which can then be shared with their friends via social media.
Nike+ Training is designed to turn working out into a game. Featuring insights from some of the world’s top athletes including Rafa Nadal, Manny Pacquiao, Allyson Felix and Hope Solo, the Nike+ Training experience makes elite level training available to everyone. The programmes consist of a series of short, sharp workouts, designed to help users get fitter, faster and stronger. Each workout is demonstrated on-screen to provide detailed guidance and motivation. During each drill or challenge, data and feedback on the workout is delivered to the user’s phone via the Nike+ Training mobile app. Daily programmes can be created based on how hard the user wants to train, and the app provides a digital community to share each day's workouts and challenges with. Workout statistics can be shared and compared with friends via social networks allowing users to challenge each other and compete to top the Leaderboard.
