Category Archives: Tech of Sports

From the shoes we wear on our feet to the high definition televisions in our living room, wearable devices, the sports universe is a breeding ground for technology. Writer and Photographer Rick Limpert will examine this each week on The Tech of Sports – With guests which include athletes, inventors and journalists that cover the intersection of sports and technology.

Omri Lachman, CEO of Humavox

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Rick talks seamless charging this week with Omri Lachman, Chief Executive Officer of Humavox. Soon we may be having our devices charged by common ordinary objects in our homes or office.

Humavox, a leader in wireless charging technology, introduces its wireless charging ecosystem for smartphones and other everyday mobile devices, such as wireless headphones, power tools, drones, and IoT connected devices at The International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), to provide a truly seamless charging solution. Humavox showcased its innovative technology at CES this year, LVCC, South Hall 4, Booth #36035, and presented a variety of wireless charging scenarios by turning everyday storage items into smart wireless chargers so users can stay connected around the clock.

Humavox’s advanced RF based technology and “On Around the Clock™” experience at CES, marks the next step towards the retirement of traditional charging methods, unleashing users from cable dependency and putting an end to draining battery anxiety. Humavox’s wireless charging technology, ETERNAⓇ, is a flexible platform comprised of proprietary semiconductor devices and state of the art algorithms that feature receiving and transmitting chipsets. The company’s technology is built and ready for certain original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to integrate into many types of mobile devices, and can be customized to transform almost any everyday storage item into a smart wireless charger, so that a drawer, toolbox, or backpack, can serve as a charging unit. With the expansion to smartphones and similar applications, Humavox’s innovative RF technology will be able to address a broader range of mobile devices, from ultra-low power consumers such as IoT connected devices, to higher power consumer products, such as smartphones and power tools.

Additionally, Humavox announces a strategic partnership with TennRich International Corp., a leading original design manufacturer (ODM) and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in the mobile charging market. Together, they will expedite consumer reach for Humavox wireless charging for smartphones and other devices through a new product line of mobile charging solutions that will be designed and commercialized by both companies. TennRich, a partner and a licensee of Energizer, is a leading manufacturer of batteries and portable lighting products, providing its ODM and OEM services to major brands, including Energizer, Mophie, Philips, Away and others.

“We’re thrilled to bring our wireless charging technology to yet another application at the world’s largest tech event. By expanding our wireless charging technology for smartphones, we expect users to finally have the required measure of convenience and reliability they need in order to truly rely on wireless charging and go about their day,” says Lachman, Chief Executive Officer of Humavox. “We’re excited about our new partnership with TennRich as we’re always looking for ways to expand our technology’s reach and address new markets by teaming up with leading manufacturers. TennRich comes with years of unique design and manufacturing experience in the mobile charging market that we see as imperative for the introduction and growth of our technology, and we look forward to a long lasting partnership.”

“This partnership allows us to continue to foster innovation and offer the most advanced products and technologies to the mobile charging market,” says Douglas Chen, CEO of TennRich. “We strive to supply our OEM customers with innovative technologies so in return, they can offer consumers long lasting rechargeable solutions, and help support the on-the-go lifestyle around the world. We’ve been applying wireless charging solutions for a long time now, and believe Humavox’s technology provides a well-needed enhancement of the overall wireless charging experience. We believe that such enhancement can boost consumer adoption and elevate the glass ceiling of wireless charging product applicability.”

Humavox is an innovative developer of groundbreaking technology in the field of wireless power. With its ETERNA platform, Humavox uses near-field radio frequency (RF) technology, in order to provides users with a simple and intuitive charging experience (“drop & charge”). The technology can be implemented in the smallest of devices, such as hearables, wearables and IoT devices. Humavox was founded in 2010 by Omri Lachman (CEO) and Asaf Elssibony (VP Innovation), and is based in Israel. For more information, visit http://www.humavox.com.

Chip Beck, PGA Tour Great for Pitchfix

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Rick is joined once again this year, from the PGA Show in Orlando, but PGA Tour great and one of the nicest guys in golf, Chip Beck.

Chip is once again at the show serving as a brand ambassador for Pitchfix.

Pitchfix USA, a global market leader in switchblade divot tools and other golf products, introduced new products at the 2019 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando (Jan. 22-25). In addition to the Pitchfix Tour Edition and Tour Edition 2.5 divot repair tools, the Pitchfix 4 in 1 MultiMarker Chip will make their debuts at booth #2015 at the World’s number one golf merchandise show.

The Pitchfix Tour Edition divot repair tool is the first non-switchblade metal product from Pitchfix. Two versions are available, one with the traditional fork (Tour Edition) and one with the award winning RepairtecTM pins (Tour Edition 2.5). Both have a club rest and removable ball marker. Each model has a combination of treated finished steel and soft feel plastic. The manufacturing process allows for special color combinations, personalization as well as adding logos for branding and promotional uses.

The Pitchfix MultiMarker Chip is an alternative to the standard poker chip ball marker. With the same diameter as a poker chip, the Multi Marker Chip is easy to find in your pocket and has a small magnetic ball marker that’s useful when you are close to someone’s putting line. The MultiMarker Chip has a ‘tee toss’ function on both sides and a putting alignment function on the reverse side. The multi marker chip is available in a wide range of colors.

“We’re excited to introduce three new quality items to our extensive, award-winning product line,” said Bart Fokke, president, Pithfix USA. “We look forward to sharing the capabilities of these products and demonstrating them to PGA professionals and buyers at the PGA Merchandise Show and through our distributors worldwide.”

About Pitchfix

Founded in 2005, Pitchfix is the market leader for switchblade divot tools and other golf green related products in Europe and Asia and is renowned for its high standards in design and product quality. It aims to be the market leader in divot tools and other golf related products in the United States by designing, manufacturing and distributing an ever-growing line of high quality and innovative European designed products through selected distribution partners.
Pitchfix currently offers an array of diverse and innovative products for golfers worldwide: Twister 2.0 Divot Tool; Classic Divot Tool; Hybrid 2.0 Divot Tool; XL 3.0 Divot Tool; Alignmee Marker Alignment Tool, Hatclip Ball Marker, The Tour Edition and Tour Edition 2.5 Divot Tool, and the Multi Marker Chip.
The Pitchfix Fusion 2.5 was named “Best Divot Repair Tool” by Golf Digest in its 2018 Editors’ Choice Awards for the second consecutive year.
Pitchfix currently has operational and manufacturing facilities in Hong Kong, China, the Netherlands and the U.S. In the U.S. the company recently opened three fulfillment centers with five customer facing/support employees to facilitate custom order processing and fulfillment. Custom orders are fulfilled within two to eight days of receipt. For further information go to www.pitchfixusa.com.

CHIP BECK

At the youthful age of 10, Chip Beck’s mother first introduced him to golf by taking him to a junior clinic. Little did she know the impact that day would have on him. After a successful junior career, Chip enrolled at the University of Georgia where he would become one of the most decorated golfers in UGA history. As a three-time first team All-American and five-time tournament winner with more top ten finishes than any other player in the school’s history, Chip Beck decided it was time to test his skills with the best players in the world on the PGA Tour.
Chip had four PGA Tour victories and twenty runner-up finishes during his playing career. He won the Vardon Trophy in 1989 and spent 40 weeks in the top 10 of the World Golf Rankings from 1988 to 1989. Additionally, he was the second player to ever shoot ’59’ in a PGA Tour tournament. Several players have accomplished this feat on the PGA Tour, but only Al Geiberger and David Duval have also reached that magical thirteen under par number. Prior to the Las Vegas Invitational, the Hilton family said anybody who could shoot a 59 would win a million dollars. Despite never having seen the course before, Chip had five pars and 13 birdies (a PGA Tour record for birdies in one round), including a three footer on the 18th hole to shoot a 59. Beck finished tied for third in the tournament, but half of the million dollars he won ended up funding the Chip Beck Scholarship. Since 1991, this scholarship has run in conjunction with the Evans Scholars Foundation with the Western Golf Association and still continues today.

In addition to his PGA Tour accomplishments, Chip Beck is also well known as a three-time Ryder Cup member, especially as a crucial player in the 1993 Ryder Cup, the last time the United States won on European soil. His all-time Ryder Cup record is 6-2-1, with a point percentage of .72. Furthermore, Chip is one of two people to ever have a hole in one on a par four, which he achieved on the 314-yard 9th hole at the 2003 Omaha Classic. Although Chip has never won a major, he was the runner-up in three Majors and one Players Championship. (1986 US Open, 1989 US Open, 1989 Players Championship and 1993 Masters).

To many around the world Chip Beck is simply known as ‘Mr. 59,’ but ask him and he will tell you he is just another guy who loves God, his family, and the game of golf. Chip is currently an ambassador for Arcis Golf and for PitchfixUSA, the company that manufactures the Golf Digest award winning Fusion 2.5 Divot Repair Tool.

Cedric the Entertainer, Actor, Comedian, Sports Fanatic

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Rick is joined by one of the Original Kings of Comedy this week on iHeartRadio and “Tech of Sports.”

Cedric the Entertainer.

Two days before the Super Bowl, Cedric the Entertainer brought laughs and a huge party to Super Bowl LIII weekend with his all new 1st & Goal Comedy Bowl.

Held at the College Football Hall of Fame in Downtown Atlanta, the show featured Original King of Comedy Cedric the Entertainer, DC Young Fly, Deon Cole and Michael Blackson. A portion of the proceeds were going to the Rashad Jennings Foundation.

Cedric is a huge sports fan and he joins Rick this week from the Red Carpet at his own event to talk about the intersection of sports and comedy. The event itself was a huge success. A big turnout during a busy Super Bowl week. Let’s hope this is an annual event!

Cedric joins Rick for this episode and enjoy, as he’s always fun and entertaining.

Scott Hansen, NFL RedZone

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Rick is joined this episode by Scott Hansen, host of the popular NFL RedZone channel each Sunday.

Hansen was in Atlanta for Super Bowl week in Atlanta, hosting the NFL’s 1st and Future event. This is an annual “Shark Tank” like competition where football ideas are brought before a panel of judges and could become an actual product the NFL could use.

In 1993 Hanson landed his first job as an anchor and reporter for NBC affiliate WPBN-TV in Traverse City, Michigan. He then moved to Springfield, Illinois in 1994, sticking with NBC to be a reporter for WICS-TV. Next, Hanson headed south to ABC affiliate WFTS-TV in Tampa, Florida, where he covered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rise under coach Tony Dungy.

Scott then did a two-year stint in 2000 with Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, where he served as an anchor on SportsNite as well as intermission reporter for the Philadelphia Flyers. In 2002, Hanson moved to sister network Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic in Bethesda, Maryland, where he served as a main anchor and reporter. There, Hanson was reunited with his former WFTS-TV colleague Sage Steele, who joined CSN Mid-Atlantic a year earlier (2001).

In 2006, Hanson left CSN Mid-Atlantic to join the NFL Network, where he serves as a reporter, anchor, and host.

As of 2009, Hanson is a National Correspondent and host of NFL Network’s show, NFL RedZone which debuted in Fall of 2009. On Sundays he presents NFL coverage live and on Mondays hosts Up to the Minute looking at NFL games from the previous week along with a preview of the Monday Night Football matchup. In addition, Hanson also co-anchors NFL Total Access during the week.

Scott talks about the competition he just hosted, his love of tech and the RedZone.

NFL RedZone take fans from game to game to see the most exciting plays. Fans catch their favorite teams and players in HD every Sunday afternoon during the season – all on one channel.

 

 

 

Leland Melvin, NASA Astronaut, Former NFL Player

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Rick is joined on this special episode this week by NASA astronaut, Leland Melvin.

It might seem strange that an astronaut is in Atlanta for the Super Bowl, but he was also a college football star and was drafted into the NFL.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and Florida’s Space Coast are taking football fans on a journey through the galaxy and beyond. Join us for a special meet-and-greet with veteran NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, the only person ever drafted into the NFL to have flown in space, and an exploration of MRVN®, the larger-than-life Mars rover concept vehicle. Other highlights include photo opportunities with a lunar rover, information about NASA “spinoffs” relating to football, and an entertaining display of the differences between playing football on Mars, Moon and Earth.

Leland Melvin is the only person in human history to catch a pass in the National Football League and in space. Though his path from the gridiron to the heavens was riddled with setbacks and injury, Leland persevered to reach the stars. He served as mission specialist for two flights aboard space shuttle Atlantis, working on the International Space Station. The Pro Football Hall of Fame honored his athletic and academic accomplishments by placing his Detroit Lions jersey under glass in Canton, Ohio.

Melvin served on board the Space Shuttle Atlantis as a mission specialist on STS-122, and as mission specialist 1 on STS-129.

As a student athlete, he  was a wide receiver on the University of Richmond football team from 1982–85. Melvin is first on the University of Richmond’s career lists with 198 receptions for 2,669 yards and fourth on Richmond’s career touchdown receptions list with 16. He was an AP honorable mention All-America selection in 1984 and 1985 and second team Apple Academic All-America in 1985.

A team captain during his senior season, Melvin had his best year in 1985, with 65 catches for 956 yards and eight TDs. His top game was in 1984 against James Madison University, when he had 10 catches for 208 yards and one touchdown.

Melvin caught at least one pass in every game he played as a Richmond Spider (39).

He was in the University of Richmond Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee Class of 1996–97 and selected for the All-UR Stadium Team in 2009, which commemorates the greatest Spiders to have played at the stadium in its 81-year history.

Leland talks about the importance of STEAM education and how the younger generation can really do it all- sports and academics. He’s an author, a lecturer, great with both kids and dogs.

Very insightful and one of my favorite guests. Visit: www.lelandmelvin.com.

Austin Cohen, CEO, FlexIt

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Rick is joined this week by Austin Cohen. Cohen is the CEO of the new flexible fitness and gym membership, FlexIt.

Cohen is a consumer venture capitalist and entrepreneur with broad-based experience in strategy, business development, finance and capital raising across the consumer health and wellness, sports, entertainment and technology verticals. Cohen also has extensive operating experience and has a proven track record of accelerating early stage company growth. He has launched multiple fitness brands such as FlexIt, where he is founder and CEO, Cohen is also a partner, founding team member and first employee at private aviation start-up Wheels Up. Cohen received his MBA from Columbia Business School, Columbia University and received his BA from Columbia College, Columbia University. Cohen is from Roslyn, NY and was Valedictorian of Roslyn High School.

Let’s talk fitness…

Flexit is the ultimate in flexibility when it comes to your gym membership

If there is something more frustrating than getting a gym membership, using it and eventually wanting to cancel it, please let me know.
FlexIt–themobile-based solution that allows users to only pay for the gym time they use–announces the launch of its app, which is available in seven markets. FlexIt gives consumers the freedom to choose where and when they work out, providing them with a personalized fitness experience in which there is no upfront cost and the users only pay for the time they spend in the facility.

The app and platform is live in New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia and Phoenix, with more than a dozen additional markets coming soon. FlexIt’s line-up of partner fitness locations currently includes large national players, such as Retro Fitness and Youfit Health Clubs, as well as large regional players, such as Charter Fitness, among many others.

“We created FlexIt so everyone could have the ability to work out how, when and where they want. We’ve been waiting a long time to bring FlexIt to the world, and it feels great to say that day is finally here,” said Cohen.

Featuring best-in-class technology, FlexIt is more than just an app –the FlexIt integrated technology system includes advanced check-in/check-out technology and tools for searching and filtering amenities so that users can tailor their fitness experience in a highly personalized manner.

See more about FlexIt here.

Thanks to Austin and enjoy this episode.