Zepp sensors embed in sports equipment

Zepp Labs is now partnering with manufacturers for its integrated sensing solutions.

Zepp Labs announced that it is now in talks with sports equipment manufacturers about embedding the company's sensors in sporting goods rather than using them as attachments. The maker initially made sensors that attach to golf clubs, tennis rackets and baseball bats, and analyze players' swings.

At this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the Zepp team told Engadget that the sensors are 18 percent lighter. The company also disclosed plans to work with sporting goods makers on an open-source standard. The latter can reap the profits from high-end products, while Zepp gets to lock in consumers for backend support through software updates.

Zepp Labs is enjoying a bit of a first mover advantage in bringing the Internet of Things to sports. It was also present at CES 2015.

Other companies such as those from China have been working on similar concepts, though. In 2014, Global Sources featured the mySwing device from Beijing Noitom Technology in Analyst's Choice.

This is perhaps why Zepp is building relationships with third-party manufacturers now, while the market is still a niche and product development is not big. In addition to getting ahead of the competition, the move runs the chance of raising market awareness on such devices and services.

Zepp has an office in Silicon Valley, as well as in Beijing and Shenzhen, Guangdong province.

See a comparison table of motion sensor suppliers on GlobalSources.com