Sony serves up a $200 Smart Tennis Sensor that tracks your stats via your phone

Sony has launched a smart sensor for budding tennis players, after first teasing the device at CES 2014.

The $200 contraption fits on the end of your tennis racket, and with apps for iOS and Android in tow, you can sync your racket up with your device over Bluetooth to analyze things such as ball spin, speed, and swing. The device has been available in Japan for a while already, but now it’s available in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., France, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Australia, and New Zealand.

Above: Sony Smart Tennis Sensor

Image Credit: Sony

The tech titan teamed up with renowned tennis brands Wilson, Head, Prince, and Yonex to ensure the smart sensor was a neat fit for their respective rackets. Indeed, to fit the sensor you have to physically remove the little “logo cap” from the bottom of the racket’s handle, and then affix an attachment ring for the sensor onto the end.

The app also features a real-time data mode for players which, on the surface, might not seem all that practical given that a player might not wish to carry their phone onto court with them. But it’s worth noting that the mobile app is compatible with Android Wear smartwatches, which suddenly makes the real-time facet far more appealing.

There is a video-recording function in the app too that lets someone record you playing tennis. The video can then be synchronized with the data, so you can see your serve speeds and ball-spin stats atop the actual footage of the shot.

On a full charge, the sensor should last around 180 minutes which, for most amateur players, will be plenty.

The Smart Tennis Sensor fits in to the broader Internet of Things trend that has been emerging in recent years, where everyday objects are becoming “connected” and smartphone users can control, monitor, and track a myriad of data from their everyday lives.

Elsewhere in the sporting realm, golfers have wearable motion sensors to help improve their swing, while casual exercisers have an abundance of fitness trackers at their disposal to monitor steps, calories, distance, and even sleep. It makes sense that tennis players would want to improve their play with technology too.