INESC TEC and PT Inovação develop 3D online gym prototype
INESC TEC has recently started project “Online Gym”, in partnership with Portugal Telecom Inovação, and the purpose is to develop an online 3D platform that encourages people to exercise in groups on the Internet. Other than promoting the practice of sports, the project will also help people socialise as individuals from different locations will be able to contact with each other. As a result, the project promotes physical and mental well-being.
02nd July 2013
The prototype is being built from scratch at INESC TEC’s cluster located at the University of Trás-os-Montes Alto Douro (UTAD) and the aim is to allow isolated users, either geographically scattered or with reduced mobility, - such as elderly citizens – to participate in group workout sessions using motion capture technology (such as the mocap).
The users of this immersive service will be supported remotely in their sports activity by instructors, thus making it possible to prevent travel problems and associated costs.
Researchers from INESC TEC’s Information and Computer Graphics Systems Unit (USIG), Leonel Morgado, Hugo Paredes, Paulo Martins, Benjamim Fonseca and Fernando Cassola Marques (grant holder), will be working on this project.
The “Online Gym” is part of the 2013-2014 Innovation Plan at Portugal Telecom Inovação. The project has a 12-month duration and should be concluded in February of next year.