VIDEO recordings of horse riding sessions can have many benefits, for example video recordings allow the rider and coach to review and analyse training sessions afterward and can be used to map progress. Videos can also be useful for advertising purposes. However, the problem with getting videos of yourself and your horse is finding someone with the time and expertise to make a recording that is useable. Robot cameramans that are capable of tracking and videoing you as you exercise your horse are now widely available, they are now so sophisticated that they can even zoom automatically to ensure that you and your horse fill the entire frame.

Last July, I reviewed the Soloshot2 robot cameraman and overall I was very pleased with the device. However, one major drawback was that it would not function properly indoors, in an indoor arena for example. The most recent robot cameraman I have reviewed is the Pixio Move ‘N See robot cameraman and I was pleased to find it works well indoors, even in poorly lit indoor arenas.

The main technology in most robot cameras is GPS, the same as is in a smart phone or satnav, and to work it needs to be able to see the satellites in the sky. Pixio have solved this issue by utilising a different technology called radio-frequency identification (RFID), which effectively uses mini-satellites called beacons that are placed around the recording area to track the rider. The downside to this technology is that it does not have the same range as GPS – you can only record within an area of 100 square meters (see Figure 1).

THE KIT

The complete Pixio Move ‘N See robot cameraman kit includes the Pixio robot and tripod, a Sony HDR CX450 camera, watch tracking device with a silicon wristband, three micro-beacons with their small tripods, batteries and chargers with the plugs for your country of delivery and a cable for the camera control. Set-up in new locations requires a bit of time to ensure that the beacons are correctly positioned, but they do have flexible legs to help them cling to fences or perch on a ledge.

Once the beacons are in place, the robot is turned on and it will automatically find the beacons. Turn the watch on as well, and the camera will start tracking you with a button to turn recording on and off from the watch.

Once the set-up is complete the technology works well and records good quality video. The end result is better than a hand-held camera can achieve.

Pixio also do a coaching package that, with good broadband, means you could have a lesson with your coach who is in a different location.

ISSUES

While reviewing the Pixio Move ‘N See robot cameraman, I travelled to a number of different venues and did have a few issues in setting it up. At one venue the arenas was much larger than 100 square meters and it made setting up the beacons more difficult, it also meant I had to be conscious to stay within range.

At another venue, which was outdoors, it got windy and blew one of the beacons over so the camera did not track the horse accurately.

Keeping the devices charged can also pose difficulties, if you don’t have somewhere to keep them plugged in permanently, but they could be wired into the mains if they were going to be a permanent feature in the same location.

For more information on these products, go online at shop.movensee.com

Horse technology workshop

IN collaboration with the Nimbus Research Centre and Cork Institute of Technology (CIT), Phoebe Bright will be hosting a ‘Opportunities in Horse Technology’ workshop on Wednesday, September 13th, 2017 from 11:00am-15:30pm at the Nimbus Research Centre, CIT, Bishopstown, Co Cork.

As part of this workshop, Nimbus staff will be available to submit Enterprise Ireland innovation voucher applications on your behalf. An innovation voucher awards companies €5,000 worth of research and development funding for a knowledge provider, like Nimbus, to assist with realising their horse technology ideas.

See innovationvouchers.ie for further details.

SCHEDULE

The event will begin with an outline of what technologies are likely to be used for within the equine industry over the next five years and also technologies that are currently available. This workshop will assess who the existing players are in this small but rapidly growing market and will accommodate a session where attendees share what their company currently does and how relevant technologies may help them develop, now and in the future.

The existence of a Horse Technology Ecosystem to accommodate horse technology pilots, trials, the further development of current horse technology products, and a forum to share innovations will be examined.

Following lunch, the workshop will look at what Nimbus can do to help you with your innovations. Nimbus will provide an overview of the application process, prepare applications and submit on the day.

The aim of the workshop is that you leave with a clear understanding of your horse technology development road map, potential collaborators and available risk free R&D funding opportunities.

For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact:

Web: phoebe@horsetech.ie

Tel: 086 8106751