SwimAR
A swimming information and training device
As co-founder and Chief Design Officer, I led product design for an AR swimming wearable intended to fit users’ preferred goggles. I designed the wearable, heads-up display interface and connected Android app experience, working with software developers and engineering specialists to create functional prototypes.
The app allowed users to load maps and training plans onto the wearable. During a session, GPS location and training information were presented through the heads-up display. Afterwards, session data synchronised back to the app, where swimmers could review visual performance information and track their progress over time.
Pool testing changed the product direction: swimmers preferred a monochrome holographic display that initial research had discounted. Testing a working connected product in context challenged what people had originally said they wanted and produced a clearer, more focused experience.
I secured SwimAR’s place on Digital Catapult’s Augmentor accelerator, supported investor and industry discussions with Speedo, Garmin and Decathlon, and exited through a private sale in 2021. The swimming wearable, display and app shown here were developed as prototypes; the additional images show applications explored using the same technology platform.