1 research outputs found
augKlimb: Interactive Data-Led Augmentation of Bouldering Training
Climbing is a popular and growing sport, especially indoors, where climbers
can train on man-made routes using artificial holds. Both strength and good
technique is required to successfully reach the top of a climb, and often
coaches work to improve technique so less strength is required, enabling a
climber to ascent more difficult climbs.
Various aspects of adding computer-interaction to climbing have been studied
in recent years, but there is a large space for research into lightweight tools
to aid recreational intermediate climbers, both with trickier climbs and to
improve their own technique.
In this CS Masters final project, I explored which form of data-capture and
output-features could improve a climber's training, and analysed how climbers
responded to viewing their data throughout a climbing session, then conducted a
user-centred design to build a lightweight mobile application for intermediate
climbers. A variety of hardware and software solutions were explored, tested
and developed through series of surveys, discussions, wizard-of-oz studies and
prototyping, resulting in a system that most closely meets the needs of local
indoor boulderers given the project's time scope.
This consists of an iteratively developed interactive mobile app that: can
record, graph, and score the acceleration of a climber, as both a training tool
and gamification incentive for good technique; can link a video recording to
the acceleration graph, to enable frame-by-frame inspection of weaknesses; is
fully approved and distributed on the Google play Store and currently being
regularly used by 15 local climbers. Then I conducted a final usability study,
comprising a thematic analysis of forty minutes's worth of interview
transcripts, to gain a deep understanding of the app's impact on the climbers
using it, along with its benefits and limitations.Comment: Written as a MEng Masters thesis at the University of Bristol.
Received an award for the highest mark of the year. (49 pages