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Sports coaching today is expensive. Whether it’s tennis, cricket, badminton, or even running, proper coaching can cost ₹10,000 or more each month. For many, sports are hobbies — something to enjoy on weekends or evenings — but the price tag of training makes it inaccessible. As a result, countless people either play without guidance (risking injuries and poor technique) or simply give up their passion.
PlayMate solves this by turning a simple wearable device into a personal coach that’s affordable, easy to use, and accessible to anyone with a smartphone.
Issues faced
Professional coaches: effective, but too expensive for hobbyists.
- YouTube tutorials: free, but generic — no personal feedback.
- Smartwatches/fitness bands: track steps and heart rate, but they don’t actually “teach” technique.
- Wearable motion sensors: exist, but are priced for elite athletes, not everyday people.
There’s no low-cost wearable that acts as a real-time, personal coach for casual players. That’s the gap PlayMate fills.
Who gains
Everyday Players
- Weekend tennis players, evening joggers, casual cricketers — anyone who wants guidance without breaking the bank.
- Get real-time corrections like “swing smoother” or “shorten stride to avoid stress.”
Parents & Students
- Affordable way to help kids develop proper sports habits.
- Prevents early injuries caused by wrong posture or overexertion.
Communities & Schools
- PE teachers can give better training with data-driven insights.
- More students can enjoy sports without needing costly academies.
Sports Ecosystem
- Builds a larger base of skilled players.
- Encourages fitness as a lifestyle rather than an elite privilege.
Why this issue is important to me
I’ve seen too many people around me give up sports because they couldn’t afford regular coaching. Friends who loved badminton stopped playing because they kept injuring their wrists. Neighbors into tennis avoided lessons because of high monthly fees. Personally, I know how frustrating it is to love a sport but feel like you can’t play it “properly” without paying a fortune.
PlayMate comes from that frustration — the belief that enjoying sports shouldn’t be a luxury. If technology can make education, music, and healthcare more accessible, why can’t it do the same for coaching?
Technical details
- Wearable Sensor Band: Straps on wrist/ankle, tracks motion, speed, and angles.
- AI Motion Analysis: Detects errors in swings, kicks, throws, or runs.
- Audio Coaching: Connects to earphones; gives real-time feedback like a coach standing nearby.
- App Integration: Shows progress, personalized drills, and weekly challenges.
- Low Cost: Built with cheap accelerometers/gyros (like in smartphones), priced under ₹1,500.
