Zurich start-up combines fitness with gaming

Three by three meters tall: Exercube. The structure consists of three walls on which a projector embedded in the cube projects colorful graphics. Before playing, the player attaches the sensors to their hands and ankles. Then the player plunges into a scenario, for example, a fantasy world. Various movements must be imitated according to the specifications. There are simple step combinations at the beginning, but jumps are added over time. A lesson lasts between three and 30 minutes, its intensity can reach HIIT levels. HIIT stands for high-intensity interval training where you train intensely in short phases and then take a break.

Exercube is an invention of Zurich start-up Sphery, a spin-off from the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK). Inventor and founder Anna Martin-Niedecken (38) wants to combine sports with game design, has studied both.

adaptive gameplay

The founding team around Anna Martin-Niedecken consists of Stephan Niedecken (41) and Dave Baucamp (48). They emphasize that they want to give as many people as possible easy and enjoyable access to physical activity. Because the game adapts to one’s abilities. “Exercube challenges you, but only as long as you stay within your optimal training flow between over-demand and under-demanding,” says Anna Martin-Niedecken.

The games and graphics were designed by a graphic artist from Sphery. According to Stephan Niedecken, the investor team behind the venture consists of entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals and professional athletes. According to its own statements, Sphery AG has been profitable since this year. Stephan Niedecken says potential buyers will also get information from time to time.

According to the expert, long-term commitment is important

But does the cube keep what it promises? Sports scientist Sascha Ketelhut (34) from the University of Bern is investigating the Exercube. Among other things, he studied how test subjects’ motivation behaved. Ketelhut says that Exercube has achieved good values ​​in the short and medium term. “But we don’t know yet if people are ready to play for a year.”

With Exercube, the developers want to enter many different markets: In addition to athletes, schoolchildren will also use the product in the future. According to the company, early studies have shown that children who train regularly with Exercube have better concentration. A pilot project will start in the near future with two schools from the canton of Zurich. There are programs that train memory as well as interval training. This is interesting for rehabilitation centers or nursing homes.

That’s why sports scientist Sascha Ketelhut sees potential in his Zurich invention: “I hope the Cube makes it easier for people to get involved in sports.” However, he remains an advocate of the traditional sport.

But the Exercube also has its drawbacks: 3×3 cubic meters takes up a lot of space and costs about 30,000 francs. The startup is currently developing a handy version at home. There, a computer and a webcam should be enough to play.

not a new invention

Exergames is not a fundamentally new invention. Nintendo’s Wii has been around for a while. Stephan Niedecken emphasizes: “Our games should not only be fun, they should also have an impact.”

Sports scientist Sascha Ketelhut evaluates the Wii a little more positively. It’s true that the Wii isn’t that effective, but it has relatively high sales figures. “If we can achieve little with many people, it is better than many with few.”

This fits with the not-so-subtle ambitions of Sphery co-founder Niedecken: “We want a healthier society.”