Babolat Team Up With Movea to Unveil The New Interactive 'Play and Connect' Tennis Racket

Babolat have collaborated with Movea, a French manufacturer, to introduced the world’s first prototype of the electronically controlled intelligent racket. Household names including Rafa Nadal, Kim Clijster, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and Li Na helped promote the application of the interactive racket on Thursday 31st May 2012.

The interactive racket is called ‘Play and Connect’ and is built with tiny sensors placed in the handle to the tennis racket. Upon use of the racket, sensory data is collated and interpreted with feedback to improve the player’s performance. Although the interactive racket is a prototype, Babolat are hoping to launch the product at some point in 2013. In order to prepare this product for launch, it must first be tested by multiple player at various levels to allow for a detailed assessment on usability.

The following video demonstrates use of the interactive racket and how the sensors are helping monitor the forehand and backhand motion, the power in delivering a shot, and the accuracy in delivering the shot:

Future release of the interactive racket  opens new and exciting avenues for sensor technology and sports performance.