Ralph Lauren is serving biometrics on the tennis court with its new Polo Tech shirt. Equipped with sensors knitted into the core of the product that can read biological and physiological information, the compression shirt is designed to improve the wearer’s general wellness and increase personal fitness. The shirt will be unveiled today during the first day of the US Open tennis tournament in New York.
The shirt was developed with proprietary technology from Canadian-based OMsignal, which offers a platform that delivers a variety of physiological data through seamless apparel directly to the users via an app on their smartphone. The data collected by the shirt is stored by a “black box,” which transmits the information into a cloud where it is plugged into algorithms that reads heartbeat and respiration, as well as stress level and energy output.
David Lauren, senior vice president of advertising, marketing and public relations, said, “Our goal is to create and reflect the ultimate lifestyle, and we believe that a healthy and active life is an essential part of that. Ralph Lauren is excited to help lead the industry in wearable technology in this ever-evolving, modern world.”
As the official outfitter of the US Open, Ralph Lauren will use the sporting event to launch the technology, dressing several ball boys in the shirt during select matches. Marcos Giron, the top ranked player in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, will also wear the polo during his practices. David Brewer, US Open tournament director, said there are features in the Polo Tech shirt that can “revolutionize how players train and compete.”
The brand sees an opportunity to incorporate the Polo Tech shirt into everyday life as well. Lauren added, “Our vision is that this will transcend sports to help us at every age and in every aspect of life. Reaching far beyond just the needs of elite athletes, Polo Tech will offer innovative technology for all ages and lifestyles to promote general wellness and quality of life.”