Race a ghost of yourself with upcoming product from Portland startup
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Having trouble finding a running partner? Look to race yourself, instead.
A tool coming out by Christmas this year will help you do just that, according to Portland startup OnTheGo Platforms. The founders are building software and applications for the Vuzix Smart Glasses.
“It records your route, time and distance, then you race that recorded route,” explained founder Ryan Fink. “When you start to fall behind, you'll see a 3D avatar start to run out and run exactly where you ran from the time before.”
As a runner himself, Fink came up with the idea about three years ago and says he put his savings into a patent. “I wanted something to push me to be one step better than the day before.”
His co-founder Tyler Phillipi said a number on his watch doesn’t motivate him, so he appreciates the challenge of racing yourself.
“You hear footsteps, or that person starts pulling ahead, that really gives you that instinct to catch up and hurry up and get things done,” Phillipi said.
OTG Platforms has already demoed the prototype on the Nike campus and recently applied to the new Nike+ Accelerator program that is set to start next month. The ten startup companies chosen for the accelerator will work out of Northwest Portland to further develop their concepts and products with the help of mentors, funding and the opportunity to launch a product with the Nike brand.
The OTG founders say the Smart Glasses with the GhostRunner software will be coming out this year either way at a cost somewhere between $200 and $500.
“The first version of it is always much more expensive than it can be the next year or the next version,” said Phillipi.
There are already smart phone apps that allow you to compare your current running stats to previous routes and speeds. Those apps are cheaper and readily available on your smart phone, but they won't literally show you yourself, providing the real feel of racing.
Fink can’t wait to see his concept on store shelves.
“I want to motivate other people to get out there, put these on, and even if you’re not a runner, this kind of ‘gameifies’ running and makes it fun.”
Okay, but if it makes me look bad I'm gonna blast a cap in it.What would be more effective would be if it was a naked Lindsay Lohan, and you're supposed to be the cop chasing her. Ghosts? Or a naked truck driver from San Francisco chasing you with a Valentine. It ought to be configurable, is all I'm saying.
For those still in school...... I bet it will come with a warning  that many schools have no tolerance  for shooting, punching  or lobbing  grenades  your imaginary ghost  with imaginary weapons.  Just sayin  :)
Interesting idea....Â
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I bet this could be a real effective tool  for competitive runners
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at any rate..... I wish them well.Â
you need motivation to run?  look at your fat self in the mirror. just think you may NEVER jog a mile for as long as you live. but you sure will gripe about health care costs in between cancer sticks dont ya? i cant wait until they base health ins rates on bmi levels.
 @Bill Preston Yeppers.  Fishbait.
do these work for couch surfing?
a great tool for track runners. If they are the fastest at their school they only get a challenge when thy compete against a faster runner from another school. This way they will have a Hollogram to challenge them.
These look great. Maybe not $500 great, but as the price goes down I definitely see a future for them.
Seems like just another diversion from running safely being aware of your surroundings.  Â
Wow, it only took the webmaster almost an hour to get this story to open.
How cool is that? Â Although, I'm not a runner, I think it's a great idea. Â Wishing you all the success in the world! Â And, Erica, those glasses could be the dumpiest, ugliest things in the world and you'd make them look great.