TL;DR:
- Connexa Sports Technologies’ Slinger AI App receives highly positive feedback from a diverse group of beta testers in tennis.
- ATP Coach Darren Cahill praises the app for its tactical and technical analysis capabilities.
- The Slinger App, powered by Gameface, offers comprehensive tennis analytics using a single camera or smartphone.
- Beta testers highlight the app’s accuracy and user-friendly design.
- CEO Mike Ballardie expressed satisfaction with the feedback and announced the app’s formal market launch in February 2024.
- The app will initially offer a ‘freemium’ version and introduce a subscription service as new analytic features are added.
- The app addresses the challenge of recognizing diverse playing styles and techniques in tennis.
- It identifies four critical pillars for player improvement and self-coaching.
- The Slinger App aims to provide valuable insights and enhance the player’s overall experience.
- It caters to both iOS and Android users and will be a key player in the growing Sports AI market.
Main AI News:
In a groundbreaking development, Connexa Sports Technologies Inc. has unveiled the remarkable success of its Slinger Artificial Intelligence (AI) App for tennis. The initial phase of beta testing has yielded exceptionally positive responses, with more than 500 testers worldwide currently enjoying the app’s capabilities and an additional 500 eagerly awaiting access ahead of the holiday season.
One of the standout testimonials comes from none other than ATP Coach of the Year, Darren Cahill, the renowned mentor to Jannick Sinner, who concluded the year as the ATP’s fourth-ranked player. Mr. Cahill expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I was given the chance to test the new Slinger App, which provides both technical and tactical feedback, and I am very impressed. I can see this app being applicable to players of all ages and standards. It is the first app that I have experienced that uses AI for tactical analysis in a meaningful way, and the fact that it is simultaneously available for both iOS and Android makes it very appealing.”
The Slinger App, powered by Gameface, offers tennis enthusiasts access to comprehensive analytics data through an AI platform designed specifically for the sport. This automated system expertly analyzes and extracts data from uploaded player practice or match videos, making use of a compatible single camera or smartphone. What sets this innovation apart is its scalability, as it eliminates the need for specific hardware or camera types.
A beta tester at the avid level was equally impressed with the AI’s accuracy, remarking, “I was really impressed with the AI accuracy. I uploaded a video – something not suggested in the setup – just to see if it would work. Although I know the AI accuracy may not have been optimal due to the camera angle, I was still able to get great feedback. Also loved the highlighting of the player’s body to bring attention to the monitored areas. Very, very cool!“
From a club level tester: “I have just started to explore the Slinger App. So far, I love the way it has been designed.”
Mike Ballardie, CEO of Connexa Sports Technologies, shared his satisfaction with the initial feedback, emphasizing the broad spectrum of users who have provided input, from leading professional coaches to everyday club players. He also acknowledged the valuable feedback received for minor improvements and future enhancements. The Slinger App was meticulously developed to offer tennis players comprehensive data and analytics for both training and match play situations, capable of functioning as a standalone app or in tandem with a player’s Slinger Bag Launcher.
Ballardie concluded, “Our sincere thanks to all of you who are beta testing the Slinger App and its unique game-enhancing features. Please keep your comments coming in!”
Upon the successful completion of the beta testing phase, the Slinger App is poised to make its formal market debut in February 2024. During the initial launch period, a ‘freemium’ version will be available, with plans to introduce a subscription service priced at an estimated $10 per month or $100 per annum as new analytic features are added.
The primary challenge in developing a Tennis analytics app has been creating recognition learning for the diverse playing styles and techniques employed in today’s modern game. Slinger has undertaken extensive testing across all varieties of playing styles and has benefited from insights from key tennis coaching experts. As a result, Slinger has identified four universal pillars that underpin all players’ games, regardless of their style or technique: Hitting Foundation, Shoulder Rotation, Weight Drift, and Hitting Contact. The Slinger App harnesses video-based AI to analyze, measure, and report scores for each critical pillar, providing players with invaluable insights and self-coaching tips in a straightforward and efficient manner.
The Slinger App aspires to offer players regular, meaningful, interesting, and actionable insights to enhance their game and maximize their satisfaction and enjoyment on the court. Much like a fitness app, it is designed to encourage consistent usage to monitor self-improvement progress.
Ballardie emphasized, “Importantly, the Slinger App caters to both iOS and Android users through their respective app stores. Additionally, every new Slinger Bag user will now download the Slinger App to access the Slinger Bag Launcher user guide, FAQs, and several hundred highly recommended practice videos. This strategic move positions Slinger to tap into the Sports AI market, which was valued at $2.1 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 30.10% from 2023 to 2030.”
Conclusion:
The overwhelmingly positive reception of the Slinger AI App in beta testing underscores its potential to revolutionize tennis training and analytics. With the ability to cater to players of all levels and styles, this app is poised to become a game-changer in the Sports AI market, which is expected to experience significant growth in the coming years. Its user-friendly design, versatility, and data-driven insights position it as a valuable tool for tennis enthusiasts, coaches, and professionals alike.
