Video: Brownlee Brothers & Intel Develop Training Game in Endless Pool
The Super Brownlee has arrived.
A few weeks of analysis, 3D scanning and countless hours spent in the Intel Lab produced the best of triathlete brothers Alistair and Jonny Brownlee.
Intel developed the Super Brownlee for a video game that allows the two to race against the hybrid version of themselves for unique training in the perfect setting - an Endless Pools® swimming pool.
“The Super Brownlee combined the best of both of us,” said Jonny.
While Super Brownlee was ultimately unbeatable, the brothers put themselves to the test against the Endless Pools swim current to see how they measured up.
“We merged the worlds of sport and technology,” said Alistair. “It’s opened our horizons in terms of bringing technology into the training environment.”
The tandem initially developed the game in the same backyard swimming pool that Alistair used to rehab from an Achilles injury and train in leading up to his Olympic Gold in the 2012 London Olympics. His Endless Pools installation came equipped with our Underwater Treadmill, which allowed for the low-impact running he needed.
Jonny, despite a penalty, earned a Bronze medal in the event, and is the reigning Triathlon World Champion.
For the ‘Super Brownlee Challenge,’ the Intel team took the Brownlees to an indoor pool, showing the Endless Pools current's versatility as a perfect training tool for the backyard, the garage or the commercial facility.
Using a large video screen outside the pool to keep track of the race, Intel’s team used an Ultrabook™ to run the game, as well as two additional Ultrabooks underwater paired with underwater speakers and lights.
Ultimately, Alistair matched up best against the Super Brownlee, though Jonny wasn’t far behind. In the end, the two couldn’t quite keep up with the unbeatable Super Brownlee, though they both appreciated the challenge and hope to offer the opportunity for the public to race against the video game.
“I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes,” said Alistair.
The future of technology is promising for swim training, and the sport of triathlon can benefit greatly from the advances that Intel and Endless Pools provide.
Endless Pools, established in 1988, has served over 20,000 customers worldwide, and offers compact, customizable pools for indoor or outdoor use. With a series of six innovative products, from the Original Endless Pool to Exercise and Swim Spas, an Endless Pool can be tailored for rehab, competitive training, or family fun. Low-maintenance and environmentally friendly, Endless Pools has a product to meet virtually any need, from the novice swimmer to the Gold Medal triathlete.
Intel’s creative #Itsyourworldnow initiative took a turn into the world of sport after the company worked with Grammy award winning musician Imogen Heap and acclaimed fashion designer Christian Joy. Their Ultrabook combines portability and performance in a sleek, powerful, lightweight machine that offers touch screen or traditional laptop usage.