HITAI, a London-based movement intelligence platform for sports, has acquired the technology and IP of Quell, a UK-based fitness gaming developer and publisher behind the ‘Impact’ fitness gaming platform and Shardfall, its flagship high-intensity combat game.
The acquisition will enhance HITAI’s camera-based motion recognition platform via Quell’s camera-less, patent-pending tech, built to run in real time on compact, low‑power devices. The deal includes motion‑recognition models, the firmware and hardware stack for Quell’s Impact console, and its Shardfall combat game.
“This acquisition brings years of cutting-edge engineering in the field of human movement recognition into the HITAI fold, with the backing of a team that knows how to ship. Quell’s technology allows us to build upon our video-first core to deliver exceptional products in a wide range of new spaces,” said Ismail Baran, founder and CEO of HITAI.
HITAI claims to be building the movement-intelligence infrastructure for sports video. Its platform uses computer vision and machine learning to convert existing training, event and broadcast footage into structured movement and performance data, without wearables, sensors, or specialised camera systems.
The company states that it is commercialising its platform first in combat sports before expanding into selected additional sports. Its technology can support coaching, athlete analysis, live-event statistics, broadcasting, automated content and sports-data services.
Founded in 2020 by Lorenzo Spreafico, Cameron Brookhouse, Martin Tweedie and Douglas Stidolph, Quell is a fitness gaming developer and publisher. The company states that its lightweight motion and fitness-tracking technology is combined with athlete-grade resistance bands to deliver real-world feedback, resistance and tracking to player action, claiming to burn over 600kcal an hour on average.
In 2023, the company announced the completion of an €8.63 million ($10 million) Series A funding round led by Tencent. Quell is backed by blue-chip investors including Y Combinator, Khosla Ventures, Tencent and Heartcore Capital.
HITAI converts real-time combat sports video into movement and performance data. Quell’s sensor-based motion models and gaming technology will enhance accuracy and speed in environments with challenging camera placement. This will help HITAI deliver engaging content for athletes, coaches and fans.
“A core part of Quell’s mission was redefining what was possible in sports motion recognition. Seeing this technology carried forward at scale by HITAI is an exceptional outcome, and we’re excited to be a part of their future,” said Cameron Brookhouse, CEO of Quell.
