14 DAY TRIAL // In a move that seems a bit surprising for many, HBO – yes, that television network that makes the world's favorite fantasy soap opera called Game of Thrones – apparently patented a system of boxing glove sensors to show punch speeds in real-time.
The technology behind the patent shows how fast and powerfully a punch has been thrown, while the sensor would be installed into a boxing glove and a boxer’s body could tell in real-time the force at which a punch lands on the opponent. Called PunchForce, this tech is best used when boxers fake being knocked out while the puncher backs no force to their fist.
This isn't the first time similar sensor technology has been used in sports, baseball and tennis usually have some sensors to measure the speed at which a ball would be hit and then have it displayed in real time.
The patent describes the technology as having a gyroscope and an accelerometer embedded at the front of the boxing glove. When the glove is used, a database with many motion profiles of previous punches is being activated so a much better comparison of your present punches and the past ones can be seen so you can track your progress more accurately. Accordingly to Venture Beat, the sensors onboard are sensitive enough to pick all kinds of statistics like starting time and speed of a punch.
Why did HBO, of all companies, patent this technology? Well, it's pretty obvious: to use while broadcasting live NFL fights.