Trakus Measures Athletes' Speed

Cable World, April 17, 2000 by Mike Reynolds

Ever wonder how hard that vicious check into the hockey boards was or how fast a top skater can accelerate? How about the percentage of putts golfers drain from eight feet or their ability to pinpoint shots with their pitching wedges?

Trakus Inc. can supply answers about the force of collision, speed and shot-making accuracy and is actively pitching pro sports leagues, TV networks and on-line services about the benefits of utilizing its gathering and collection technologies to supply fans and viewers with better information.

To track sports motion, Trakus, headquartered in Medford, Mass., deploys an electronic local area positioning system (ELAPS) trading on small sensors, receiving equipment and attendant hardware and software. In hockey, for instance, sensors are fitted inside of players' helmets. Receiving antennas stationed around the arena pick up information from the sensors and relay it to a PC, which catalogs and analyzes the data.

CEO Eric Spitz said Trakus, which launched in 1997, is negotiating with the National Hockey League for rights to its data that could be used against telecasts, Internet and video game properties. He also noted that Trakus' system was tested during last year's Ryder Cup and at this year's Buick Open in Torrey Pines, Calif. The company is talking to CBS SportsLine.com about using various golf applications for its service.

"The kind of data we can collect will enhance any telecast, not only with information buy through the use of our front-end graphics that can illustrate plays or trends," said Spitz. "The Web needs compelling content, and this data can be developed into a new paradigm for fans, viewers and users."

The NHL declined comment on the negotiations, while CBS SportsLine, citing its position as a public company, refused to discuss the status of conversations with Trakus.

Trakus has spoken to Major League Soccer, the NFL and NASCAR about its capabilities and expects to close on a second round of financing in May totaling $25 million. It has also had conversations with the University of Nebraska.