INESC TEC and PT Inovação develop 3D online gym prototype

INESC TEC has developed the project “Online Gym”, in partnership with Portugal Telecom Inovação, and the purpose was to develop an online 3D platform that encourages people to exercise in groups on the Internet. Other than promoting the practice of sports, the project also helps people socialise as individuals from different locations will be able to contact with each other. As a result, the project promotes physical and mental well-being.

The prototype has been built from scratch at INESC TEC’s cluster located at the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD) and the aim was to allow isolated users, either geographically scattered or with reduced mobility, - such as elderly citizens – to participate in group workout sessions  using motion capture technology (such as the mocap).

The users of this immersive service will be supported remotely in their sports activity by instructors, thus making it possible to prevent travel problems and associated costs.

Researchers from INESC TEC’s Centre for Information Systems and Computer Graphics  (CSIG), Leonel Morgado, Hugo Paredes, Paulo Martins, Benjamim Fonseca and Fernando Cassola Marques (grant holder), worked on this project.

The “Online Gym” is part of the 2013-2014 Innovation Plan at Portugal Telecom Inovação.