PREMEIR TREADMILL MANUFACTURER WOODWAY USA PARTNERS WITH OUTSIDE INTERACTIVE
For Immediate Release
October 29th, 2018
Contact: Eric Weber,
Director of Sales and Marketing WOODWAY USA, Inc.
ericw@woodway.com
(262) 548-6235 ext. 158
Collaboration Will Allow Runners to Experience Simulations of Marquee Race Courses, Scenic and Popular Running Routes from Around the World with the Woodway brand and their iPad® or Android® Tablet
Waukesha, WI (October 29th, 2018) – Today, it was announced that Woodway USA, manufacturer of premier treadmills for runners around the world, has partnered with Outside Interactive, a developer of Virtual Runner, a software application which offers HD video simulations of famous road races and running routes from across the globe. When used in conjunction with an iPad or Android tablet, Woodway treadmills can communicate via Bluetooth®, creating an exact simulation of famous courses for runners to experience and train on prior to race day, or even participate remotely and “officially” from anywhere in the world with select race partners.
“Woodway has set the industry standard for the serious runner,” stated Gary McNamee, Outside Interactive’s president and founder. “As we add to our growing list of road race partners from around the US and Canada, we aim to give Woodway users a competitive advantage, turning Woodway’s performance line of treadmills into simulators, letting users experience interactive HD video of the actual course on race day, at their exact pace, with cheering crowds lining the course, seeing the landmarks, feeling the hills, even breaking the finish line tape, right in their home or club setting. In addition to being a tremendous visual training tool, a growing number of our race partners are allowing for ‘official’ remote participation. This would allow entrants who are deployed, for example, to still take part in famous races or even their hometown Turkey Trot.”
“We see race course simulation for training and remote participation as an exciting new category for the Woodway brand, “stated Eric Weber, Director of Sales and Marketing for Woodway USA.
“Having already seen this race experience in action with our Woodway 4Front in a studio setting , along with Outside Interactive’s initiative to ‘Bring the Race to the Runner,’ I believe this is the beginning of a whole new trend in endurance events, merging technology with fitness. Woodway prides itself on being at the ‘4Front’ of innovation, and we wanted to be part of this.”
The Virtual Runner race route simulator is a software application used on an iPad or Android tablet. It is used in conjunction with HD course videos shot in first person, many on race day. Utilizing Bluetooth technology, the app can communicate with select cardio equipment brands, beginning with treadmills. The treadmill can transmit its speed to the tablet, matching the exact pace of the video. Conversely, the Virtual Runner app can transmit incline commands down to the treadmill, matching the elevation changes of hills found on the course in the video. Partnerships with major cardio equipment brands will allow runners from around the world to officially train for and even participate in select races they may otherwise not have the opportunity to do. This shared experience will create an unlimited audience for endurance events when space limits or geographical barriers may not allow additional runners, benefitting health clubs, race sponsors, charities and exercisers in their home or club, anywhere and anytime.
About Woodway USA
Designed for the Human Race, A WOODWAY truly is the World’s finest treadmill. Woodway Treadmills are specifically requested by competitive sports teams, medical and rehabilitation facilities, and high-usage fitness facilities worldwide because of their patented design that provides a superior running surface for users and long lasting-efficiency for owners and operators. For more information, visit Woodway USA
About Outside Interactive:
Located on the starting line of the world-famous Boston Marathon®, Outside Interactive is a Hopkinton, MA developer of Virtual Runner, revolutionary patented forward motion technology solutions featuring famous race courses, popular running routes and scenic destinations, all shot in HD from a runner’s point of view. Founded in 2011 by Gary McNamee, a lifelong Boston resident, avid runner and serial entrepreneur, Gary developed Virtual Runner after becoming bored on the treadmill and frustrated with not being able to train properly in New England’s unpredictable and often harsh weather. For more information, visit Outside Interactive
Previously, Judge Hall ruled that the TrueForm Runner treadmill infringes WOODWAY’s ’580 patent, and a jury trial was scheduled to resolve the remaining infringement, validity, and damages issues. Following jury selection, the parties agreed to dismiss the case as part of their confidential settlement and license agreements.
Multiple patents, including WOODWAY’s ’580 patent, protect WOODWAY’s line of non-motorized CURVE treadmills, which was introduced in 2009 and was the first of its kind. WOODWAY continues to pursue additional patent protection for its valuable innovations.
Eric Weber, WOODWAY’s Director of Sales and Marketing, states, “We are pleased with the result and validation of our patents as we take immense pride in the innovations WOODWAY has developed and integrated into our products. Going forward, WOODWAY remains committed to proactively enforcing and vigorously asserting its valuable intellectual property.”
For more information or media requests, please contact Eric Weber at (800) WOODWAY, or our legal counsel, Foley & Lardner LLP, at 414.319.7324.
