Paper Reading #15 - Jogging over a Distance

Comments:
Comment 1
Comment 2

References:
Title: Jogging over a Distance between Europe and Australia
Authors: Florian Mueller, Frank Vetere, Martin Gibbs, Darren Edge, Stefan Agamanolis, and Jennifer Sheridan.
Venue: UIST 2010, Oct 3-6, 2010

Summary:
In this paper, the authors describe a framework for distributed social exercising called Jogging over a Distance. This system allows two users to be able to jog together regardless of their location together -- hopefully allowing them to exercise better.

The system works by having a headset connected to a heart monitor, a mobile phone, and a small computer, which makes it similar to the Nike plus system pictured at left. After setting a heart rate, the user can converse with their workout partner over the course of the exercise session using the headset.

The social aspect comes in because instead of displaying results after the workout, real-time heart rate information is given to the user and their partner through the direction of the sound during their conversation. If the user is not working as hard as their partner, they sound like they are ahead of you, and vice-versa. This links the desire to talk to the desire to work out; this strengthens the jogger's resolve.

The authors conducted a usage study on the framework, and found that most users liked the system, and thought it helped in their workouts. They found that they worked harder because they wanted to be able to hear the conversation better.

Discussion:
This paper is interesting because this is a product I could see myself using. In order to stick to a workout plan, I need to have another person working with me. A system like this could allow me to expand the pool out beyond the local area.

Additionally, I think the system has more applications than just exercise. A more refined version of this system could probably allow people to "race" each other on foot without being in the same location, using GPS or other methods. Additionally, a further social aspect could be added by allowing people to randomly connect to other joggers if they don't have someone available to partner with. My other concern with the current implementation is all of the equipment involved. They need to make a more compact prototype to determine how feasible this design would be as a real product.

(Image courtesy of: Apple Gazette).