New ActiveLook Application for Apple Watch Introduces First-Ever Strava Live Segments Experience for Runners and Cyclists in Augmented Reality

October 31, 2023

ActiveLook app brings advanced real-time performance data to athletes on any road, trail, track, or course

GRENOBLE, France (October 31, 2023) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – MICROOLED, the leading manufacturer of near-eye microdisplays, today announced a major update to its ActiveLook application for Apple Watch, which now features direct Strava integration. ActiveLook is the first “AR” connected eyewear solution that connects directly to Apple Watch, and the first Apple Watch application of any type to display Strava Live Segments – a transformative benefit to runners and cyclists who use Apple Watch and Strava.

“Powered by ActiveLook” eyewear products connect directly to Apple Watch via Bluetooth, and display fitness data such as heart rate, pace, distance, laps, and other sports metrics into the lens of the glasses. Athletes subscribed to Strava are now able to view and continuously monitor their performance versus prior efforts, as well as versus competitors, in real-time, when using ActiveLook compatible products, such as ENGO Eyewear.

Strava is the leading subscription platform at the center of connected fitness, with more than 100 million active people in more than 190 countries. The ActiveLook + Apple Watch + Strava experience offers runners and cyclists meaningful advantages in motivation, gamification, and live performance insight.

Real-time performance metrics typically viewed on large, stationary screens are now available to view during live outdoor activity, for training or competition. For the first time, ActiveLook + Strava delivers an advanced digital fitness experience to anyone with an Apple Watch and ActiveLook compatible eyewear – anywhere, anytime.

Developed by MICROOLED, ActiveLook is a unique set of technologies, which include a companion app for connected eyewear, and MICROOLED’s proprietary micro-displays, deliver best-in-class brightness, light weight, and long battery life for up to 12 hours of use – enough to complete a marathon or the bike/run segments of a triathlon**. Athletes choose the metrics they want to monitor for training or competition, such as heart rate, power, pace or cadence, and more. With performance metrics instantly viewable in compatible eyewear, athletes remain focused on their performance – without breaking stride or changing body mechanics, to attempt to read a watch on the wrist, or a small cycling computer on handlebars.

In addition to improved ability to manage effort and performance, athletes maintain eyes up, on the road ahead, to gain improved safety and situational awareness, without looking down.

“The integration of Strava’s Live Segment functionality into the ActiveLook application adds a unique dimension to endurance sports activities by making data significantly more readable and therefore actionable,” said Eric Marcellin-Dibon, CEO of ENGO Eyewear and MICROOLED. “ActiveLook benefits athletes the same way that a heads-up display benefits fighter pilots. Our view is that AR has the potential to make people better, smarter, and faster. The new ActiveLook app is a great demonstration of what’s possible with the ActiveLook “Light AR” development platform.”

Strava Live Segments unlocks real-time feedback for athletes, providing information on how they’re tracking against their personal and overall top efforts on a segment. ActiveLook also displays advanced Apple Watch metrics such as Running Dynamics (e.g., vertical oscillation and stride length) to enable athletes to see and feel changes in body mechanics in real-time. Until now, this was only possible in post-activity review.

Continuously available information enables athletes to better manage effort, maintain concentration, fluid movement, and to avoid loss of efficiency when looking at the wrist, or handlebars. The ActiveLook experience is similar to viewing the dashboard in a motor vehicle – it’s not distracting and does not interfere with normal vision, however it is instantly accessible when needed. The new ActiveLook update also introduces “Widgets” – an intuitive graphical interface which enables instant access to performance metrics.

The new ActiveLook app for Apple Watch is compatible with existing Powered by ActiveLook products, such as ENGO and Julbo.

For the first time, runners using Apple Watch will be able to view pace, power, running dynamics, and other effort and performance metrics directly in eyewear Powered by ActiveLook, without taking eyes off the road, course, or trail. There are already more than 40 data types available for runners and cyclists in the current application.

*Strava segments are sections of routes from a few hundred meters to a few kilometers or more, on which Strava users record and compare their performance and progress. There are hundreds of millions of segments all over the world. A ‘King Of the Mountain’ ( KOM ) status is awarded to the holder of the best time in each segment. Live Segments is a feature available on certain connected bike computers and watches, allowing athletes to monitor gaps live while running or cycling through a segment. For the first time, ActiveLook brings this feature to the Apple Watch and to connected eyewear.

**Apple Watch battery life varies by model and use case. The Apple Watch Ultra has the longest battery life, is recommended for endurance athletes, and will provide 8+ hours of continuous activity tracking with a live ActiveLook session and a connection to compatible eyewear.

Visual assets: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1YgMXTZf-YrRmnl6dpd-BSTtK8aM-yH9K

About MICROOLED:

MICROOLED specializes in the design, production and marketing of OLED microdisplays for near-eye applications (outdoor optical equipment, night vision glasses, ocular equipment for medical devices, augmented reality glasses, etc.). MICROOLED is a key partner of the world’s top technology integrators with a unique technology that combines high resolution, high brightness, and low energy consumption. The company is the largest manufacturer of its kind outside of Asia, and one of the largest manufacturers, globally, in its historical markets.

US Media contacts

Mark Prince, MICROOLED: 617-457-6500, mark.prince@microoled.net