Technology innovation
We are seeking ideas for projects to fund in the area of technology innovation in orienteering.
Technology plays a huge part in orienteering today. We have all seen major changes over the past twenty years with the emergence of electronic punching, GPS tracking, mapping software, online analysis tools, and much more. Meanwhile communication between clubs and their members, and with the wider public has been revolutionised through social media.
This is an area where the Orienteering Foundation is keen to exploit the opportunities that technology can bring to our sport, by using donations to provide capital for innovation.
Some examples of where we see technology in the sport today:
- Mapping software such as OCAD and Open Orienteering Mapper
- Course setting software such as OCAD, Purple Pen, Condes and Open Orienteering Map (the last of these we supported in 2017, see the report)
- Entry systems such as SiEntries, Fabian4 and Racesignup
- Electronic punching and timing systems and associated event / results services from SPORTident and EMIT
- Online coaching software such as Elevate
- Fixtures maps and apps such as this map of British Orienteering fixtures and the Event-O app for iOS or Android (which we supported in 2019 and 2020, see the report)
- Route analysis software such as RouteGadget v2 and its UK hosting site
- GPS track websites not specific to orienteering but heavily used by orienteers such as Garmin Connect and Strava
- Smartphone apps for virtual orienteering events such as the MapRun app (and MapRun.uk website) or the UsynligO app
- Prototype projects to offer low cost electronic punching systems such as dibhq (website and dib and dibhq code)
- Online training diaries such as Attack Point
- Discussion forums such as nopesport
- Skill development resources such as Better Orienteering
- Online results databases such as the Maprunner WOC/JWOC database, UK Urban League (also used for several regional urban leagues), UK Elite Orienteering League
- Coaching videos on the SLOW youtube channel and our own Orienteering Foundation youtube channel (for which we funded an introduction to permanent orienteering video in 2020, and an introduction to trail-O video in 2021)
- The GBR senior team supporters website On The Red Line
- Podcasts such as The Run In (which we supported in 2020, see the report)
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Numerous national, association and club websites
The vast majority of these technologies were not around 10-20 years ago - look how far our sport has come from the olden days of pin punches and master maps! Moreover, although some of the above are commercial products, many have been developed in people's spare time for no personal gain. We want to support technology continuing to power our sport through the next decade and beyond.
Ideally we are looking for well written grant applications for technology projects, see Apply for Funding for our application process. These could be for furthering any of the above platforms, or developing new ideas.
However we recognise that often the people with the great ideas do not necessarily have the skills to make something of them. Equally our sport attracts many technically minded people who would relish a technology project, but perhaps don't have the vision to apply. We can help put the two together, so if you have an innovative idea for technology in orienteering, or if you have technology skills you could put to good effect, then please get in touch as we would love to hear from you. Please contact your nearest ambassador or trustee (see here).
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