The future of sports safety: Exclusive interview with Andrey Baykov

Quanta Sphere LLC is transforming sports safety with cutting-edge technology. In this interview, Andrey Baykov, the founder, explains how the company’s flagship product, AirGuard, is revolutionizing safety in extreme sports through AI and ML.

What was your initial vision for Quanta Sphere LLC, and how has it evolved?
My vision for Quanta Sphere LLC came from my background in skydiving and aviation. I saw firsthand how safety in extreme sports like skydiving was largely dependent on human factors. This was a major vulnerability, as human error or even small lapses in attention could lead to severe risks. I wanted to create a solution that could reduce those risks by introducing technology that automates key safety measures. That’s how AirGuard was born.

Initially, we focused on skydiving, but as we developed AirGuard, we realized the same approach could be applied to other high-risk sports. Now, our vision has expanded. We aim to provide a versatile tool that enhances safety not just in skydiving but in any sport where human lives depend on fast decisions in unpredictable environments.

What problem does AirGuard solve for athletes, and how does it contribute to their safety?
AirGuard solves the problem of monitoring athletes in real time, even when they are out of sight or out of communication range. In skydiving, for example, if something goes wrong, it can be extremely difficult for ground personnel to detect or understand what happened. Often, by the time help is needed, it’s too late.

AirGuard bridges this gap by continuously collecting data from the athlete’s vitals and the surrounding environment. It uses AI and ML to interpret this data, alerting the athlete when something is wrong and providing real-time insights to prevent accidents. The data collected is objective and reliable, offering a clear picture of what happened in critical moments. By doing so, AirGuard minimizes the guesswork and ensures the athlete gets the right support when needed.

How do AI and Machine Learning improve AirGuard’s performance and safety features?
AI and Machine Learning are central to AirGuard’s ability to protect athletes effectively. The device gathers data during jumps or other extreme activities, such as speed, altitude, and biometric readings like heart rate or oxygen levels. AI helps AirGuard process this data in real time, while ML enables it to detect patterns and learn from past experiences.

The beauty of AI and ML is that they evolve. Every jump, every new piece of data improves the model, allowing AirGuard to get better at predicting potentially dangerous situations. For example, if a jumper is descending at an unusual speed or has abnormal vital signs, AirGuard recognizes this pattern based on previous data and alerts them instantly, giving them time to react and avoid a potential accident.

Can you walk us through the three versions of AirGuard: Light, Standard, and Pro?
Absolutely. We designed AirGuard in three versions to cater to different user needs: Light, Standard, and Pro.

The Light version is tailored for beginners or people just starting in extreme sports. It provides essential safety features—monitoring vital signs and environmental factors—to ensure basic protection. The key advantage here is simplicity. It’s designed to be easy to use without overwhelming the user with too much data.

The Standard version is for more experienced athletes who need a deeper understanding of their performance and the conditions they’re facing. This version gives more detailed insights, including real-time analysis and alerts based on AI and ML. It’s ideal for athletes who want to push their limits while still staying safe.

The Pro version is designed for professionals and high-level athletes. It incorporates the most advanced technology, providing real-time data streaming and performance analytics. The Pro version not only offers enhanced safety but also helps athletes optimize their performance by providing granular insights. As you move up from Light to Pro, the devices also become more compact and lighter, integrating the latest technology to ensure they don’t interfere with the athlete’s activity.

What have you learned from early users of AirGuard, and how has it influenced product development?
We’ve been fortunate to have professional skydivers and athletes test AirGuard in real-world environments. Their feedback has been crucial in refining the product. For instance, we learned that the device needed to be more intuitive, especially during intense, high-pressure moments. We adjusted the alert systems to make them clearer and more actionable, ensuring athletes receive the right information at the right time.

Additionally, we improved the durability of the device based on field tests. We reinforced the hardware to withstand the harsh conditions athletes often face—like extreme temperatures, moisture, and impact. The insights from our testers allowed us to make key updates, many of which have been incorporated into the latest versions of AirGuard. This collaborative approach ensures that our product meets the real-world needs of athletes.

What advice would you give to entrepreneurs looking to innovate in the IoT space?
My primary advice is to stay focused on solving real-world problems. In the IoT space, it’s easy to get caught up in the technology and lose sight of its practical applications. The real value comes from how your product can genuinely improve people’s lives.

Also, stay adaptable. The IoT landscape is constantly evolving, and being open to change is essential. Iterate quickly, gather feedback from your users, and don’t hesitate to refine your product based on that feedback. Collaboration is another key element. Surround yourself with experts in various fields because innovation often happens when different perspectives and ideas come together.

Where do you see Quanta Sphere LLC and AirGuard in five years?
In five years, I see Quanta Sphere LLC as a leader in sports technology, not just in skydiving but across various sports where safety is paramount. AirGuard will be an integral part of high-risk sports like mountain biking, scuba diving, and even team sports where real-time data can make a difference in preventing accidents.

We aim to expand into new markets and gather even more data to improve our AI models. As we grow, I also see us partnering with sports organizations and regulators to help set new safety standards globally. Ultimately, our goal is to make advanced safety technology accessible to athletes at all levels, ensuring that they can focus on their performance, knowing that their safety is in good hands.