DiMo-NEXT - Next Level of Digital Motion in Sports, Fitness and Well-being

DiMo-NEXT is driven by technological advancements in data science and AI, new sensor technologies, new materials, wearables and exoskeletons; at the same time, the proposal is influenced by strong user trends such as fitness lifestyle and vitality, active ageing, the outdoor boom, a more sustainable lifestyle and others. The primary objective of DiMo-NEXT is thus to conduct transdisciplinary research on how to enhance people’s experience in motion, how to improve performance in motion and how to help them lead a more sustainable lifestyle.

To achieve this vision, DiMo-NEXT brings together renowned academic institutes from biomechanics, psychology, user-interaction, data-science and materials with top corporates (adidas, Atomic, Amer Sports Austria, Datwyler, Infineon, Karl Mayer, PIERER Innovation, UNIQA, Wintersteiger), SMEs (Bärenhof, Zanier) and start-ups (Elysium, sanSirro, Pacemaker, Saphenus, tech2people). The proposed research aims to design and develop advanced digital motion systems that integrate wearable sensors, exoskeletons and real-time data analytics to improve performance in movement while enhancing injury prevention (safety), (digital) user experience. Additionally, the research will focus on developing sustainable solutions and reduce the environmental impact of sports activities.

The research will also have significant impact on the sports industry, leading to new products, services and applications that will enhance user experience and improve the uptake of novel digital motion systems.

The DiMo-NEXT’s vision puts different specific target groups such as novice, recreational and elite athletes, their motion and emotion at the core of its activities: not just the "how long" or "how often” is important, but the "how well", "how effective," or "how to stay motivated" are people's fundamental concerns, and that by the use of excellent digital technologies we can create more joy, motivation, and well-being. Hence, through transdisciplinary and science-industry collaborations that combine data intelligence, sensor and actuator systems, DiMo-NEXT delivers and improves sustainable technology-supported experiences in sports, fitness, and well-being so that people experience greater performance and confidence in sports and everyday activities. Furthermore, by combining heterogeneous data sources, DiMo-NEXT envisions to better explain the relationship between motion and emotion, i.e., the link between psychophysiological parameters such as vitality and fatigue. The self-empowerment of people enhanced by technology to experience self-awareness and improvement in sports and, thus, enabling regular sport habits independent of location and time, is a main pillar in an actively and healthy ageing society. In addition, DiMo-NEXT strives in a sustainable way to positively reinforce active physical behaviour through experiences, responsibly mobilise industry for a clean and circular economy and not to disadvantage anyone in terms of data protection, ethics and equality.