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Fujitsu Develops Golf-Swing Analyzer Featuring Latest Sensing Technology

- Brings together the know-how of professional golfers -

Fujitsu Limited

Tokyo, September 28, 2009

Fujitsu today announced that it has codeveloped a sensing technology that accurately measures the body movements of a person carrying a sensor-equipped mobile phone. The technology was developed in collaboration with Mr. Kajiro Watanabe, the president of Sensing Control Lab Co., Ltd. and a professor at Hosei University in Japan. The first commercialization of this technology, "ETGA Swing Lesson", is a mobile phone application that analyzes golf swings under the guidance of professional golfer Mr. Tadashi Ezure.

Using the mobile phone's built-in sensors, the application gathers motion data, which is then fed into a 3D motion sensing engine to analyze and assess the path of the user's golf swing and provide advice based on professional golfer Mr. Tadashi Ezure's golf principles. It also allows users to compare each swing against their past best recorded swings, making it a full-featured swing-diagnosis program. In addition, the application can connect to a number of related online mobile services, including a variety of services planned with Golf Digest Online Inc.

By equipping mobile phones with different sensors developed in-house and using them to measure data from the user's body, Fujitsu is working to offer users "human-centric solutions" that contribute to their health, sports activities, and lifestyle. The company is also actively developing other services and mobile phone capabilities that incorporate specialized knowledge from various fields.

Fujitsu plans to include the new application on its forthcoming mobile phone products. Visitors to the Fujitsu booth at CEATEC JAPAN 2009, opening October 6, 2009, at Makuhari Messe, will be able to try it out for themselves.

"ETGA Swing Lesson" images (iAppli mobile phone application)

About the Sensing Technology

Fujitsu took an early interest in using mobile phones for human sensing. In September 2003, the company offered the world's first mobile phone equipped with an accelerometer-based pedometer(1) in its Raku-Raku Phone III series. The company's efforts have grown from there. The newly developed "ETGA Swing Lesson" represents the latest advance in this technology.

Fujitsu believes mobile phones must evolve to offer human-centric solutions in real time. By measuring and analyzing a variety of user data, the company aims to provide optimized information and services for applications in daily life, sports, and health care. A key part of these solutions is mobile phone technology that measures body motion in three dimensions.

The golf-swing analyzer incorporates a 3D motion sensing engine that measures the inclination and rotation of the waist for a fixed period of time. It picks out discrepancies in each pattern of motion, and detects distinctive aspects in these patterns to analyze the user's pattern of motion. This technology was developed jointly with Mr. Kajiro Watanabe, who is the president of Sensing Control Lab Co., Ltd. and a professor at Hosei University in Japan.

By applying this algorithm to patterns of motion in golf swings, it can detect a user's form and pick out distinctive aspects in each swing to diagnose areas that the user should improve.

Overview of "ETGA Swing Lesson"

After receiving data from the phone's built-in sensors(2), the 3D motion sensing engine measures the golfer's swing and assesses 16 checkpoints of the swing.

Assessment criteria are based on the "Ezure Method", a set of swing principles devised by professional golfer Mr. Tadashi Ezure, head of the Ezure Tadashi Golf Academy (ETGA), which has produced a number of well-known golf professionals. The result is a thorough swing lesson, as if the user had participated in a private session with Mr. Ezure himself.

The application can also upload swing data to the Internet. Fujitsu has its sights set on rolling out an online service in the future in which multiple players can simultaneously participate.

Key Features of "ETGA Swing Lesson"

  1. Measures swing by simply using a mobile phone clipped to the user's waist
    By simply slipping the mobile phone into a carrying case and clipping it to the user's waist, the phone automatically recognizes and measures the swing.
  2. Easy touchscreen operation
    The user responds to a series of on-screen prompts by touching the appropriate buttons to display measurements, feedback, etc.
  3. Targeted advice based on the Ezure Method
    Users receive easy-to-understand, relevant advice in response to every swing. Images of Mr. Ezure appear in the application to give golf tips.
  4. Tabulates swing results for each club
    Users can select from among three categories of clubs—drivers, irons, and short irons—and receive optimized swing analysis and advice for each.
  5. Leverages user data
    Measured data is displayed on a graph to show trends and level of proficiency. After measuring and registering the user's best swing, it is possible for the user to compare each swing with his personal best.
  6. Internet collaboration
    Data can be uploaded online, allowing for more sophisticated services.

Mobile Online Services

In collaboration with Golf Digest Online Inc, Fujitsu plans to launch a "Golf-Swing Check Site" (tentative name) online service under "ETGA Swing Lesson".

By uploading data collected using "ETGA Swing Lesson", users will be able to access a number of services not offered by the stand-alone application. Furthermore, Fujitsu plans to codevelop the service with Nifty Corporation in order to offer advanced features that take advantage of Nifty's network expertise.


  • [1] World's first mobile phone equipped with an accelerometer-based pedometer

    Based on Fujitsu research conducted in September 2003.

  • [2] Built-in sensors

    Prototypes used in development included accelerometers and gyro sensors.

About Fujitsu

Fujitsu is a leading provider of IT-based business solutions for the global marketplace. With approximately 175,000 employees supporting customers in 70 countries, Fujitsu combines a worldwide corps of systems and services experts with highly reliable computing and communications products and advanced microelectronics to deliver added value to customers. Headquartered in Tokyo, Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.6 trillion yen (US$47 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. For more information, please see: www.fujitsu.com.

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All other company or product names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Information provided in this press release is accurate at time of publication and is subject to change without advance notice.

Date: 28 September, 2009
City: Tokyo
Company: Fujitsu Limited, , , , ,