Want to race a tiger? This site syncs with your running app so you can do just that. We learn how it was put together.
What challenges did you face?
VS: Initially, we wanted to create this project with Nike+, but they wouldn't give us access to their data. So we launched it with other running apps.
The site syncs with many running apps – but not Nike's
More and more are constantly being added to support the divergent running communities out there and we will be making it compatible with lots more running apps over the duration of the project. All the runners have to do is get in touch with us and we'll make it happen.
KA: Also, we did some user testing but not as much as we could have, because we didn't have the necessary resources to allocate to this social project. Basically, we launched the site and are asking runners for their feedback in real time.
What have you learned from this project?
VS: Primarily, that technology can bring man and beast closer together. This website demonstrates that it is super easy to interact with this animal located in an entirely different environment to us humans.
The agency is looking for feedback from users
Secondly, WebGL is an infant technology. We were planning a beautiful and really cool screensaver, but so far we've only managed a few experiments.
Thirdly, you would think the internet would bring openness. Not so with the run4tiger.com project. We wanted to combine a series of sporting applications, but we encountered difficulties. Nike wouldn't allow us to access its API, and Garmin comes with a high price tag.
