[From the left, Jang Young-gi, President of the Korea Marathon Association; Lee Gil-yeon, CEO of GIBITA; Kang Bong-gu, Vice President and Head of Samsung Electronics Korea.]
Personalized healthcare tech company GIVITA Co., Ltd. announced on the 17th that it has signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) for a marathon smartwatch business collaboration with Samsung Electronics and the Korea Marathon Association. The three parties will develop a marathon smartwatch through organic cooperation to promote the digital transformation of marathons.
In particular, as smartwatches have emerged as key devices in the healthcare field, this is a rare case where a global top IT company, a promising digital healthcare company, and a sports association have joined hands, drawing attention to future developments.
The MOU includes ▲development of a marathon smartwatch application ▲digital transformation of marathon race operation systems ▲development and application of precision positioning technology ▲provision of health management services through user health data collection and analysis.
The marathon smartwatch refers to a Samsung smartwatch installed with a marathon application. Previously, running and other exercises could be recorded through the ‘Samsung Health app’ on existing Galaxy Watches. However, the marathon smartwatch installed with the marathon application developed by GIVITA applies an application specialized for marathon sports and marathoners. In other words, it is a differentiated smartwatch specialized for the sports industry of marathons, beyond personal health management.
This application provides various conveniences to marathoners through functions such as marathon training, record management, and safety management, as well as offering various additional services such as health data collection and health management.
Under this MOU, GIVITA will develop the application and marathon race operation platform. In addition to implementing accurate location measurement functions using precision positioning technology, it will also plan and supply smartwatch straps suitable for marathons.
Samsung Electronics will provide the necessary technology and support for the development of the marathon smartwatch, while the Korea Marathon Association will manage the project and provide consultation for the implementation of marathon-related functions.
In particular, GIVITA, which is responsible for the development and application of precision positioning technology under this MOU, previously signed a technology transfer agreement for precision location-based technology with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in February of the same year. This technology can recognize locations with an accuracy of about 1 meter, and it is expected to scientifically and technologically improve marathon race operations and sports culture.
GIVITA CEO Gil-Yeon Lee said, “Under the COVID-19 situation, personal health management through smart devices has gained great popularity and attention,” adding, “Through this MOU, we aim to contribute not only to personal health management but also to the digital transformation of the sports industry through smart devices.”
Kang Bong-gu, Vice President and Head of Samsung Electronics Korea, said, “Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy smartwatch, through the ‘Samsung Health Monitor’ app approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), can accurately measure blood pressure and electrocardiograms, and has recently been widely used for health management and prevention of industrial accidents,” adding, “Through this MOU, we will become a Samsung Galaxy smartwatch loved by marathon enthusiasts.”
Jang Young-gi, President of the Korea Marathon Association, said, “The collaboration among the three parties initiated through this MOU will greatly contribute to expanding the base of marathon enthusiasts and managing the health of numerous marathoners nationwide.”
Meanwhile, GIVITA is developing an ‘AI-based self-directed healthcare solution’ by collecting data, or ‘lifelog,’ through smart devices such as smartwatches, and last November introduced a personal health management solution using smartwatches and smart scales.
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