The analysis of the project’s technical feasibility resulted in 4 technical notes, 4 prototypes and 1 simulation. The technical notes on both general (smartwatch) and specific (wristband) tracking devices allowed to identify and select the most promising approaches for the auto-tracking innovation opportunities. The technical note of the advanced tracking device allow to validate the GNSS processing concept and the identification of the methodology that can be protected using IPR. Developed prototypes of the smartwatch, contactless sensors, wristband and augmented positioning allowed to further validate these approaches, highlighting the advantages and drawbacks, and helping to define an implementation roadmap for the most relevant opportunities, including the auto-tracking wristband.
The user assessment established a focus group composed of 6 members including PGA instructors, course managers and golfers. Five iterative cycles were conducted, including demonstrations, trials, feedback collection and tool’s improvement in each of them. The activity enable making a user validation of the current solutions as well as reaching a wider community and disseminating both new and future product's features.
The business viability confirmed that the best business opportunity is the auto-tracking wristband. The activity consolidated the opportunities on a set of solutions, each with their revenue streams, following a market analysis (competition, size and trends) and a market survey (approximately 30 inquiry surveys were performed from personal interviews and on-line requests). The analysis results highlighted the uniqueness and the new innovations of the project, in particular the three product’s differentiators - automation, accuracy, power autonomy - as well as the patenting plans. A business plan was produced for the development and commercialization of a new product with the brand name Trueshot.
