Barcelona, 18 September 2024 – American Magic, one of the leading teams in the prestigious America's Cup, has collaborated with Microoled, the pioneers behind ActiveLook head-up display technology, to introduce a Lite Augmented Reality (Lite AR) system for elite sailing. This technology, which has been a crucial part of the team’s training regimen for nearly a year, is now being used in the intense races of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup, currently taking place in Barcelona from August 22nd to October 27th, 2024.
American Magic, officially known as the New York Yacht Club American Magic, represents the United States in the America’s Cup, the oldest and most coveted trophy in international sport. Founder of the America’s Cup in 1857 and with a rich history of innovation and a relentless pursuit of excellence, American Magic consistently pushes the boundaries of sailing technology to gain a competitive edge.
ActiveLook Lite AR: A Game-Changer in Augmented Reality
Microoled’s ActiveLook technology, the current standard in Lite AR, offers a unique approach to augmented reality by keeping it compact, useful, and unobtrusive. The system continuously provides real-time data, crucial for sailors and pilots, without cluttering their vision or disrupting their performance. Initially designed for endurance sports like running and cycling, where athletes need to maintain focus on their effort while adjusting metrics such as pace, heart rate, and power, ActiveLook has now been adapted for the high-stakes world of competitive sailing.
A Custom Solution for America’s Cup Challenges
In a joint effort, engineers from American Magic and Microoled embarked on the project of integrating this technology into the sailors' helmets. The challenge was to maintain the sailors’ full peripheral vision while ensuring that critical information is timely delivered. The display interface was designed to provide key data such as wind direction, boat speed, and strategic navigation cues, all while sailors are on the move, and keeping their focus on the maneuvers, water and competitor.
Jose Luis-Vela, Head of Technical Development at American Magic, remarked, "Our team is used to facing and overcoming ambitious technical challenges. This one was particularly exciting. We had just three months to integrate the technology and develop the display interface. Keeping eyes on the boat and on the opponent 100% of the time makes a huge difference compared to repeatedly checking screens or boat instruments."
Pioneering AR in Sailing and Beyond
The collaboration between American Magic and Microoled is a significant demonstration of how Lite AR can transform not only endurance sports but also elite-level sailing. The ActiveLook ecosystem is versatile, offering compatibility with a wide range of applications and devices, making it a game-changer across various sports and industries. This project is not Microoled’s first foray into maritime sports; in October 2023, the company also entered into an agreement with the NMEAremote app, designed specifically for sailboat crews.
Eric Marcellin-Dibon, CEO of Microoled, commented, "This collaboration with American Magic validates our vision for augmented reality. Our goal is to keep a full connection with the 'real world,' make the technology invisible, and let users focus on what matters most. ActiveLook was developed with this philosophy in mind, and we are thrilled that elite teams like American Magic, along with the growing community of runners and endurance athletes, are embracing this vision. We're enabling head-up display technology to be deployed across a much broader range of sectors and applications than ever before."
As the America’s Cup races continue in Barcelona, American Magic’s use of Lite AR technology is set to become a defining moment in the sport, potentially changing the way sailing teams approach navigation and strategy in the future.
About MICROOLED
MICROOLED specializes in the design and manufacture of OLED micro-displays for near-eye applications, including outdoor optical equipment, night vision goggles, ocular equipment for medical devices, and augmented reality glasses. MICROOLED is a key partner of the world's best technology integrators, offering a unique technology that combines high resolution, high brightness, and low power consumption. As the leading player in Europe and the second worldwide in its historical markets, MICROOLED is now extending its leadership into the sports market with ActiveLook®, its open platform of "Lite AR" solutions.
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