Talon Technology, based in Brookvale has developed ‘Arondight’ a world-first computerised oar that allows rowing coaches to scientifically analyse the performance of their rowing squads.
The Arondight oar – named after Knight of the Round Table Sir Lancelot’s sword – has been developed by Brookvale company Talon Technology together with Croker Oars of Taree and with testing support from the Australian Institute of Sport.
The NSW Government has assisted the project as part of its efforts to support the States growing digital economy, Treasurer and Minister for State and Regional Development Eric Roozendaal said.
“This world-class innovation, developed right here in NSW, promises to deliver a breakthrough shift in the international management of rowing teams both professional and amateur,” Mr Roozendaal said.
Talon Technology CEO Geoff Germon said: “The Arondight technology is completely enclosed in the rowing oar which can be moved from boat to boat with ease giving it significant economies of scale and allowing it to be made relatively cheaply. The reduced complexity of the product also significantly reduces set-up time making the Arondight oar more attractive to not only sports institutes but also rowing clubs and schools.”
Croker Oars sales and marketing manager Darren Croker: “These oars allow rowers and their coaches to easily and cost effectively quantify their performance and provide a significant advance on current rowing performance measurement systems. The nearest competitor products are expensive, custom fitted to a boat, and require lots of cabling and extensive set up time.”
Croker Oars is at the forefront of world design in oars and exports to markets including Japan, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, the US, Canada, Thailand, South Africa, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Norway.
Talon Technology specialises in carbon fibre design and manufacture including dragon boat oars, and developed the data gathering technology.
Croker Oars estimates resulting sales from the technology could lead to the creation of an extra four jobs over the next three years, while Talon Technology is expecting to create a further five new jobs.
The Australian Institute of Sport is planning for some elite rowers in its rowing development squad to have their own personal Arondight oar to collect and analyse performance data during competition or practice.
Croker Oars has received support from the NSW Government through Industry & Investment NSW to expand its production capacity and implement lean manufacturing processes to improve productivity.
The NSW Government’s Innovation Pathways Program has provided $25,000 to Talon Technology to assist with the Arondight oars product testing and technology demonstration trials.
