In a website full of innovative, spectacular projects, it's exciting to see some Kickstarter projects for the health and fitness market too. Running enthusiasts will be happy to see the forward-thinking features used in runScribe, a current Kickstarter. At first glance runScribe is a standard running sensor, yet it brings a lot more than expected to the table. Superb technology and streamlined usability make this Kickstarter project one to look out for. Here's why:
A tiny device, runScribe goes beyond the average running sensor or app. runScribe not only captures your run, it measures your foot’s precise position while you run. The device also features on board flash storage (so you can sync your runs to your other devices later), and is easy to swap between different pairs of shoes. Not only that, the sensor integrates with runScribe's website and apps, plus it breaks your run into different metrics.
Get the data you want with 13 different metrics
runScribe claims to give you the most run data available outside of a laboratory setting, and breaks these data down into 13 different run metrics. By breaking down each stride, your run is easier to understand than ever. The current runScribe metrics are number of steps, distance, pace, stride rate, stride length, contact time, foot strike type, swing excursion, stance excursion, max pronation, two pronation excursion measurements, impact peak, and brake peak. These details make it much easier to set specific goals, and let you improve your run at the core of your habits.
There's no need for a cell signal to record data
To accomplish all this, runScribe's tiny device is jam packed with useful technology. At its heart, runScribe uses a nine-axis sensor and processor to read the specifics of each footstep. The device also uses on board flash memory to save your run data, so you don't have to weigh yourself down with your phone. This on board storage also means that you can still record data if you're somewhere with no cell signal or GPS, which is sure to thrill off-road runners and joggers.
Incredibly small and light
Despite these inspiring features, however, the device is outstandingly portable. Weighing in at only 15 grams, the device comes with two shoe mounts, as well as extra batteries. All this technology is most impressive when combined with the features of each runner's free runScribe account. The account lets users view their running metric categories as maps, graphically, and over time. This lets users break down exactly where they're improving or not. Of course, if you already use a running app you love, the device also supports Bluetooth (and possibly standard running device formats), so runners will be able to sync data into virtually any running app. However, the runScribe site also allows you to import running data from other apps, so you don’t lose past data if you prefer the runScribe site.
Three different account options
Finally, the runScribe features are divided into three different accounts: runScribe, runScribe Pro, and runScribe Science. The first account is free, and offers access to the first seven running metrics. runScribe Pro offers access to all metrics, and runScribe Science offers all metrics, as well as graphs of the raw data from your sensor. runScribe also offers users the ability to measure which shoes are right for them, and is working on offering GPS integration for mapping run locations. The runScribe site is also building an online database that will help reveal exactly how runners can avoid injuries. The device offers some exciting prospects for runners and joggers everywhere, and is slated to begin production in around October or November, 2014.
