Is Technology Revolutionizing Athlete Performance Data Collection? A Look at This Smart Robot Startup

The fitness and sports training sector is in constant flux, yet there exists a noticeable void in the market for cutting-edge training gear surpassing conventional fitness apparatus.

While treadmills and weight machines are prevalent and effective for strength-building, they lack the capability to aid athletes and fitness aficionados in gauging and enhancing critical performance metrics like agility, reflexes, and endurance.

This gap unveils a prime opportunity for innovation, especially for individuals seeking to elevate their athletic prowess through more refined and quantifiable means. Furthermore, prevailing solutions for monitoring and boosting athletic performance often falter in providing intricate, real-time data crucial for athletes to fine-tune their regimen.

The absence of a holistic device capable of projecting, tracking, and analyzing movements to enlighten athletes about their form, speed, response time, and precision underscores a notable deficiency in sports technology. This shortfall not only hampers athletes’ ability to make informed training decisions but also curtails their potential to attain peak performance levels.

With the burgeoning demand for sports technology in India, the necessity for a device addressing these specific training facets becomes increasingly apparent, signaling a ripe opportunity for innovation in the fitness domain.

To bridge this divide, Chahil Patel and Hitarth Parikh introduced Hyperlab, an Ahmedabad-based startup unveiling Helios. Helios utilizes a laser pointer to assist athletes and fitness enthusiasts in evaluating strength, reflexes, and stamina.

Who Founded Hyperlab?

Hyperlab, a standout startup featured on Shark Tank India, was established in January 2022 by Hitarth Parikh and Chahi Patel.

Hitarth Parikh, an accomplished industrial designer, specializes in merging technology with grassroots sports. Before launching Hyperlab, Parikh served as a Product Designer at Studio Carbon until May 2021.

Meanwhile, Chahil Patel, currently heading research and development at Hyperlab, holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Information Technology, Electronics, and Communication. Patel previously held the position of Head of Research and Development at Studio Carbon.

The inception of Hyperlab traces back to 2021 when Hitarth Parikh collaborated with Chahil Patel, leveraging Parikh’s sports background and identifying an unmet need in the fitness industry for advanced devices measuring agility, reflexes, and stamina beyond traditional gym equipment.

What is Hyperlab?

Hyperlab stands out as a pioneering startup dedicated to pioneering cutting-edge sports technology. At the forefront of its innovations lies Helios, its flagship product. Helios, a smart robot, revolutionizes athletic training by projecting laser points for athletes to pursue, enabling meticulous tracking and analysis of their movement patterns. This data-centric methodology is poised to elevate athletes’ performance by refining their form, speed, reaction time, and accuracy.

Helios boasts a remarkable capability to furnish comprehensive performance datasets, shedding light on crucial aspects such as agility, endurance, and reflexes. This marks a significant leap forward from conventional fitness devices, which predominantly target strength enhancement. Helios distinguishes itself through its extensive datasets, surpassing competitors like Blazepod, thus establishing itself as the premier choice for holistic athletic training.

Manufacturing Locally: Enhancing Helios Production in India

Hyperlabs adopts a strategic approach by manufacturing its flagship product, Helios, entirely within India, steering clear of the complexities and uncertainties associated with global supply chains. This decision aims to streamline manufacturing processes, expedite market response times, and cultivate a sustainable business model that bolsters local industries while exercising stringent control over the supply chain.

Mechanical parts are fabricated in Ahmedabad, while electronic components, including stepper motors, LIDAR systems, laser units, and controller units, are assembled in Gandhinagar. LIDAR technology plays a pivotal role in accurately tracking athletes’ movements, while laser systems project clear, consistent laser points crucial for agility and reflex training. Controller units, acting as the device’s brains, oversee operations and process data.

By manufacturing these components domestically, Hyperlabs upholds rigorous quality control standards, ensuring each Helios device meets performance benchmarks. The decision to forgo imported parts is underpinned by various factors.

Firstly, it affords Hyperlabs complete oversight of the supply chain, minimizing risks of delays and disruptions inherent in international logistics. Secondly, local manufacturing enables stringent quality assurance measures, with each component meticulously monitored and tested to meet exact specifications.

Furthermore, by bolstering the local economy, Hyperlabs not only contributes to Indian business growth but also nurtures innovation and job creation in the technology and manufacturing sectors. Ultimately, this approach empowers Hyperlabs to swiftly iterate product enhancements and address customer feedback without the constraints imposed by lengthy lead times associated with imported components.

Business Model

Hyperlab adopts a B2B approach, collaborating with establishments like gyms, fitness centers, and sports clubs. Additionally, it’s delving into potential partnerships with the Sports Authority of India.

In terms of pricing, Helios is offered to institutional clients at rates ranging from Rs 30,000 to Rs 45,000, while individual buyers can acquire it for Rs 45,000. The company reports having secured orders for 600 units and is actively fulfilling these orders through its manufacturing and dispatch processes.

Presently, Hyperlab operates as a bootstrapped entity and has garnered attention through its participation in Shark Tank India Season 3.

Future Goals

Hyperlab sets its sights on selling a minimum of 3,000 devices by the close of 2024. Additionally, it is in the process of developing distinct devices tailored for swimming, football, and cricket, each meticulously crafted to match the specific metrics of the respective sport. The team harbors a bold ambition to establish an extensive product line that cements Hyperlab’s position in the sports technology market.

While the startup faces competition primarily from the US-based Blazepod, Hyperlab’s Helios distinguishes itself by offering more comprehensive data for athletic training.

According to a report by Statista, the total revenue in India’s Health & Fitness market is poised to reach $19.24 million in 2022, with an anticipated annual growth rate (CAGR 2022-2027) of 11.57%. This growth trajectory is expected to culminate in a projected market volume of $31.97 million by 2027.