Feldspar Unveils Surface-Based System to Measure Athlete Force in Real Time
LONDON, April 29 — Feldspar Group Holdings Limited has launched a prototype of a surface-based force measurement system that captures real-time performance data directly from sports environments, a shift from traditional lab-based methods.
The patent-pending platform, developed with Cambridge Design Partnership (CDP), embeds sensors into tracks and playing fields, allowing continuous measurement of ground reaction forces without the need for standalone force plates.
Conventional systems rely on fixed equipment or indirect tools such as cameras and wearables, which estimate movement but do not directly measure the forces generated by athletes. Feldspar’s system records full three-dimensional force data from each step, providing a direct assessment of speed, power and movement.
The technology uses a triangular force plate design that derives horizontal force from vertical measurements, reducing complexity and potentially lowering costs compared with existing systems.
Chief executive Alvina Chen said the platform focuses on measuring performance at its origin.
“Current tools infer movement. We measure the force directly where it happens, which gives more accurate insight into how athletes move,” she said.
The system is designed for large-scale deployment, covering entire tracks or fields and enabling multiple athletes to be monitored simultaneously. Initial trials will focus on athletics, with planned expansion into sports such as football, rugby and basketball.
Data collected can be delivered instantly through live dashboards, supporting coaching decisions and enabling new broadcast applications.
As data volume increases, the platform is expected to support AI-driven analysis, including performance benchmarking and injury risk detection.
Wade Tipton said the ability to capture force data directly from the surface at scale represents a new capability in sports engineering.
Feldspar has opened an external funding round to support pilot deployments and move toward commercial rollout, following earlier investment from a Hong Kong-based backer.
Executive director Tim Godfrey said the system is intended to establish a standardised data layer across sports.
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