How a Fitness Equipment Provider Revolutionized the Workout Experience Through Digital Innovation

The client is a leading US-based manufacturer and distributor of sports and exercise equipment. They provide equipment to many major gyms and home fitness enthusiasts around the world. They strive to produce innovative sports equipment with innovative digital solutions delivering unique fitness experiences. 

Challenge

As part of their digital transformation strategy, the client decided to add technology to their larger fitness equipment (treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, and others) to create a digital connection between people and fitness. They needed a partner to work with them on this process as it required a dedicated end-to-end engineering and development team. 

Solution

As a leader in designing IoT solutions for decades, the client turned to Orion for the project. Our capability to engineer end-to-end systems, from connectivity and device firmware engineering to cloud and application development, has helped clients transform their products into industrial-level quality connected IoT systems. Our team supports them throughout all stages of the product engineering lifecycle: from User Experience and Architecture Design to Development, QA, Deployment, and Customer Support.

The solution was to complement the equipment with large Android consoles that offer various digital applications aimed at keeping users engaged and entertained with content like on-demand workouts or interactive terrains. The client turned to Orion to complete the engineering of the Android console Our experts have a deep knowledge of the Android platform and a high level of customization that could complicate further maintenance and upgrades to newer Android versions. They also ensured the compatibility of supported fitness applications and services in a customized Android environment.

Another requirement of the solution was the IoT system architecture within the software. Our team ensured the proper connection of the equipment to the Internet, data collection, asset management, and communication between user phones and fitness devices.

Our team delivered all of this in a revolutionary user experience that is essential to the success of the overall solution and requires considerable effort and experience in designing a proper UX/UI experience.

Impact

The client now has a complete digital ecosystem built on customized Android platforms on their equipment connected to a dedicated mobile app. The app empowers gymgoers with personalized coaching both inside and outside the gym. By connecting the app with the customized Android platform, users can track personal progress through the IoT-enabled fitness equipment and their mobile phones for a seamless user experience regardless of where they are working out. This integrated connectivity also provides an easy way for facility owners to manage and maintain their new smart fitness equipment.