It all started with the question, as Konrad Tiefenbacher, Georg Nicklas and Thomas Kraus discussed measuring technology for rubber development at ESN: “WHAT IF we could measure all the vital stats of a real TT game, automatically and in real-time?”

A “Digital Table Tennis Group” was formed at ESN with Hans Persson, Thomas Kraus, Siegfried Kettlitz, Nico Christ, Konrad Tiefenbacher, and Matthias Ottenberg. Their first task was to study and adapt commercial motion capture technology and digital racket technology, and start the development of a spin measurement system. Soon after, Hermann Mühlbach started at ESN and joined the Digital Table Tennis Group. A separate hall was set up to house our dedicated digital TT laboratory.

A one-of-a-kind laboratory with state-of-the-art digital technology was developed to measure all movements in table tennis – players, rackets and ball – automatically, in real-time. In addition, our newly developed, cutting-edge spin measurement system, titled “Legretto”, was added, and allowed us to – for the first time in history – measure every key stat in TT. Shortly after, first demonstrations of our TT Lab for main stakeholders and ESN key customers were held.

Through proof-of-concept tests with top talents from Compass ETTYF and with pro players from Liebherr Masters College (LMC) at the TT Lab, we could get evidence that our system actually works. It was also here that we discovered that the technology provides actionable insights to players and coaches, enabling a deeper understanding and faster learning when training.

An integrated mobile concept system was developed, providing new possibilities for remote usage by players and coaches: a tablet Human Machine Interface (HMI) for live feedback, a stereo camera for improved 3D ball capturing, and a one-housing solution for remote mobile usage. Our first off-site technology tests outside Hofheim took place at LMC in Ochsenhausen. In the same year Benjamin Braun joined the team.

Following successful tech tests at LMC, we had final proof that the new mobile technology works. From then onwards, the mobile concept product was used by pro players and coaches as part of the Tokyo Olympic preparation camp at LMC in Ochsenhausen. By working with the players and coaches at LMC, a new goal-oriented training method called the “SPS-method” was developed. A first pilot supporting the ITTF High Performance & Development (HPD) team was held in Poland. The name SPINSIGHT was created.

As of January 1st, Spinsight ESN DIGITAL GmbH got formally registered as independent company within the ESN Technology Group. In April, a follow-up pilot project with ITTF HPD, the “Research Training Camp” was held in Bad Königshofen.

Q3 – To develop a digital coach education concept to enable coaches to give effective training with Spinsight.

Q4 – To launch the first generation APP version to bring Spinsight insights to every player and coach.