MobiCoach - By SwingTip and Mobiplex

[Jman]

THP has spent a lot of time with the SwingTip (Initial: http://www.thehackersparadise.com/?p=18213 Update:http://www.thehackersparadise.com/?p=20075) and seen first hand the evolution of their swing analysis device, well they have now taken it into the realm of actual live teaching feedback remotely from instructors through MobiCoach.

The basic principle is to make it so that any golfer anywhere can remotely have instantaneous access to instructors from all over (over 25), including some of the more well known out there like Jeff Ritter. You simply select your instructor, set up a time on the website and you are good to go as they will connect with you on the range through your SwingTip app. Plus, the costs are a fraction of what formal in person lessons will be (ranging all over the spectrum from 19.00/15-minutes up to 75/15-minutes with Jeff Ritter).

I'll be going through a full demo/lesson today with them in order to full review the capabilities, effectiveness, ease of use, and so on but I thought some might like to have a look at what they are providing.

www.mobicoach.com


Video from their site:

 

[tequila4kapp]

Very cool. First question - are you able to book with the same instructor so as to establish a working relationship with someone?

 

[MWard]

Wow that's affordable indeed. It seems like because this is very numbers oriented, it would hopefully be a focused 15min. Here's what you're doing, here's a drill, let's see if it works.. Good. Do that, we'll link up in a week or so to see how it's working.

 

[Jman]

Very cool. First question - are you able to book with the same instructor so as to establish a working relationship with someone?

Yep, you literally pick whatever instructor you want (which many will likely base of of price) and the site actually tells you where they work and their history/accolades. LOTS of instructors with Troon Golf as well as the Nicklaus Academy's two lead instructors.

 

[Jman]

Wow that's affordable indeed. It seems like because this is very numbers oriented, it would hopefully be a focused 15min. Here's what you're doing, here's a drill, let's see if it works.. Good. Do that, we'll link up in a week or so to see how it's working.

Thats the jest I'm getting Wardy, here is the ACTUAL video of YOU that you are taking and they mark it up and discuss it with you live right then.

 

[ddec]

after talking with you this morning about it I certainly went and looked in to this more since I have a SwingTip. However it seems at this point in time it's for iOS only. Is that right James? My other question is that this is connected through a Skype like system. So will that 15 minute lesson, are you racking up your data usage for it?

Certainly can't wait to hear how this goes for you man.

 

[Howzat]

Having done some cyber lessons myself, it will be interesting to find out how this works for you.

 

[DevRickus]

Cant wait to read about this as it seems pretty cool.

 

[tequila4kapp]

Thats the jest I'm getting Wardy, here is the ACTUAL video of YOU that you are taking and they mark it up and discuss it with you live right then.

That is extremely interesting. Do you have to schedule out a bit or can you get a time pretty immediately? Also, at some point can you cover the underlying technology involved (i.e., assume you have to own a swing tip product...which ones work, how much, etc?). Thanks!

 

[Jman]

after talking with you this morning about it I certainly went and looked in to this more since I have a SwingTip. However it seems at this point in time it's for iOS only. Is that right James? My other question is that this is connected through a Skype like system. So will that 15 minute lesson, are you racking up your data usage for it?

Certainly can't wait to hear how this goes for you man.

I would assume there will be data involvement, but I'm not totally sure. Would make sense as to the 15 minute sessions there as well.

Yeah, iOS only right now, they expanded the SwingTip app to android after a while though so I suspect we will see an eventual expansion here as well.

Here is the actual press release:

Game Changer: MobiCoach, The World’s First Real-Time, Remote Sports Coaching Service, Starts with Golf

Remote Coach Gives Golfers Live Analysis and Instant Feedback for Game Improvement

Santa Clara, Calif. January 28, 2014 – Sports training will soon never be the same. Mobiplex, makers of SwingTIP, are today introducing MobiCoach—the world’s first real-time, remote golf coaching and video analysis service. With the aid of the free SwingTIP iOS app, golfers can improve their game via a live lesson from a coach anywhere in the world. Launched today, the new MobiCoach service includes a growing roster of top golf coaches from institutions such as Nicklaus Academies, Troon Golf Academy and Jeff Ritter Golf.

Mobiplex has developed a powerful mobile, cloud-based software platform that brings coaches and students together wherever they may be. With the MobiCoach service, golfers can get high quality coaching in as little as 15 minutes be it at home or on the range.

“It is hard to overstate the disruptive impact this technology will have on sports education,” said Vijay Nadkarni, founder and CEO of Mobiplex. “This is the first time a sports tech platform combines man and machine to allow for instant feedback, analysis and improvement. Golfers can finally get coaching from the world’s best pros in a comprehensive, convenient and affordable manner. For example, a golfer in Australia can take a live lesson from a marquee coach in the States. And coaches can teach year-round, even from their home offices, without being handicapped by poor weather or fixed work hours.”

There are two ways for golfers to utilize the MobiCoach service: either as a free standalone SwingTIP iOS app; or by combining the same app with a SwingTIP motion sensor and the iOS app for richer analysis.

The free SwingTIP iOS app will include a coach-initiated video capture feature, where the coach can remotely record and view a live video of the golfer’s swing, while the golfer focuses on the instruction. Next, the coach can offer immediate feedback and continue to monitor and advise on the golfer’s swing or putt over the course of the lesson. And, by using the SwingTIP sensor, a more complete level of analysis is enabled.

The MobiCoach cloud-based service incorporates:

· Live Voice Over IP (VOIP) – a live voice call between the student and coach
· Auto-Video Sharing – records the golfer’s swing or putt; instantly displays to the coach
· DisplaySync™ – mirrors the coach’s screen to the student’s for visual instruction
· Real-time Whiteboarding – enables the coach to diagram feedback instructions on the mobile display to further illustrate imperfections and corrections
· Side by Side Comparison – coach can compare and annotate two swings concurrently
· Comprehensive Backend - within a personal MySwingTIP.com page, a golfer can choose an academy or coach, book lessons and pay securely (while coaches can also promote their services, as well as publish their calendar and coaching rates).

“To play their best, a golfer needs to be in regular contact with a qualified coach. Unfortunately, most golfers take infrequent lessons and bad habits can creep in between sessions,” said Mike Malaska, 2011 National PGA Teacher of the Year and the Worldwide Director of Instruction for Nicklaus Academies. “With MobiCoach, coaches can provide regular lessons to students at a distance, which can lead to measurable and consistent improvement of their game.”

“About 90% of golfers leave the academy brand within two weeks” said Tim Mahoney, Worldwide Director of Education, Troon Golf Academy. “The ground-breaking MobiCoach service allows continuing coaching from a distance, thereby maintaining their golf improvement plan in an enjoyable arena. With MobiCoach, we can take the Academy to the golfer.”

Craig Stadler, winner of the 1982 Masters and 13 PGA Tour events said: “This development completely changes the face of golf instruction, and can greatly expand the reach of the coaching industry.”
- See more at: http://mobicoach.com/assets_category/press-releases/#sthash.XynQJwUr.dpuf

 

[Jman]

That is extremely interesting. Do you have to schedule out a bit or can you get a time pretty immediately? Also, at some point can you cover the underlying technology involved (i.e., assume you have to own a swing tip product...which ones work, how much, etc?). Thanks!

Mine was set up a bit differently as its for review but I just logged into my account to check and you just click the instructor you are interested in and it pulls up a calandar of dates and availabilities week by week. Pretty cool.

You need to have the SwingTip, its available on amazon and I believe at AT&T stores etc. and its 99.99 on their site.

 

[#Cookie]

Really is a very cool concept, really curious to see what you think of the process. I'm a fan of those quick hits, work on this type of approach.

 

[JB]

James,
This is interesting to me, but I have a question. You are currently taking lessons (I think) with a local instructor. Now I know that this is being done as part of the job for the readership, but do you fear cross analyzing at times?

 

[IceyShanks]

I can't wait to hear how it goes, when I first saw this I didn't fully understand how it would work.

 

[Jman]

James,
This is interesting to me, but I have a question. You are currently taking lessons (I think) with a local instructor. Now I know that this is being done as part of the job for the readership, but do you fear cross analyzing at times?

Yes, I'm taking lessons weekly now, and to be completely honest it is a definite concern of mine. But being that its a one-off thing with no strings attached for more lessons I'm trying to stay focused on it from the perspective of just the program analysis capabilities and less so my swing.

 

[Jman]

This was a really interesting session unlike what I expected, I'll have a lot more tonight.

 

[TripleBogieTim]

Can't wait to hear your thoughts on it buddy.....I am very interested since I already have a Swingtip and an Iphone.

 

[WardF]

I think Jeff ritter is the guy in DFW too.... Hmm

Edit it may just be one of his academies in this area. Would be interesting to have a coach you worked with both in person and could follow-up with video after.

 

[Jman]

So, while it wasn't an official lesson today I did get a full rundown of what MobiCoach can do and what they plan on being able to do. Its honestly pretty impressive.

It'll all be covered in the full writeup but I do want to share some things:

• They understand that the two main reasons people don't take lessons are accessibility/time and money. By using the iPhone which so many have they believe they can take care of the accessibility/time by offering instruction in sessions 15 mins and up and anywhere (range, sim, garage setup, backyard, anywhere) and bc its remotely and you can go with a 15-minute session it is cheaper and easy to fit into time-frames.
• 25+ instructors
• 15 minute min, half hour and full hour available
• Much more affordable, some instructors are 19.00 for 15 minutes
• Instant no matter where you are, I was on with David in the SF area and me in OK, no lag, he had my swing vid in seconds and I literally watched him apply lines as he did it and got audio simultaneously
• They can break it down frame by frame as you watch
• They can record a swing/drill/move themselves they are telling you about to focus on and show it TO you on your phone
• You have access to the marked up vids anytime
• You DO NOT have to have a SwingTip to utilize the lessons, just an iPhone and the app as it does the video
• If you DO use the SwingTip your instructor also see the readings it puts out on their tablet (SS, path, face, tempo, etc)
• iOS only for now, I believe they are working on expanding it
• They already have multiple updates planned

So, its a lot really, and honestly technology is getting astounding. The quality of the vids are quite good and clear, its quick, we didn't have any connection issues. I know my few thoughts/info turned into a lot, but its pretty dang cool. Not at all what I expected.

More soon hopefully.

 

[Canadan]

This sounds unbelievably cool. Obviously there's a certain amount of hands on help people need, but for some, this could be an awesome tool for swing help.

 

[Jman]

This sounds unbelievably cool. Obviously there's a certain amount of hands on help people need, but for some, this could be an awesome tool for swing help.

Yep, its definitely an interesting idea and that the tech is allowing it to happen is crazy to me. Technology is nuts.

I agree though, there is a level of hands on that some will benefit most from, but its also cool that they recognize the top two reasons people don't do lessons are $$$ and time/accessibility and are going at that, pretty smart really. They also said they know that some will be iffy about it, thats why they're offering a free lesson to anyone to try it out and see.

Seeing technology grow in golf first with the swing devices and then the accelorometers in the phones, and now this is pretty crazy to me.

 

[TripleBogieTim]

Sounds really good....I will have to give it a try and see how it works

 

[Canadan]

One thing that often comes up when i chat with people is about the quality of the coach available to them. For people who heavily scrutinize their local PGA pros, having the ability to select (and obviously pay for) top tier lessons is just another neat feature.

I'm with you on the tech. I love seeing it grow.

 

[Hawk]

The future blows my mind. James, how did you communicate with them? By talking on your phone at the same time?

 

[checkered]

I really like the idea of this. Hate that it's IPhone only right now. Hope they rectify that soon. Look forward to hearing more as you do an actual lesson with it.