Manchester City uses AI smart band to innovate fan engagement

Swedish startup, Turnpike Group, has launched an artificial intelligence-powered (AI) wearable smart band, to provide Manchester City fans with exclusive content.

Fantom, the wearable smart band, will fetch around A$100 and will post content from Manchester City with a plethora of special features, including live match reporting, 24/7 inside information, updates, real-time match stats, breaking news, fan polls and quizzes.

The technology also claims to help in seamless ticket distribution and payments during home games at Etihad Stadium.

The Fantom has been fitted with near field communication (NFC) capabilities, allowing for contactless features such as season ticket storage and payments.

The technology will also inform fans when they are situated near other supporters.

Carl Norberg, co-founder of Fantom said: “Fantom is an instant tribe telegraph on your wrist, making you feel connected to everything happening around the club.

“For clubs, it’s incredibly exciting because it enables them to understand and reach their most loyal fans in a completely personalised way, without cannibalising existing sales, relationships or channels.”

Co-founder Björn Ögren added: “Every part of Fantom is designed from the ground up.

“Everything is custom made, from the chipsets and industrial design to the operative system and the innovative user experience with the sole focus of creating a unique fan experience.

“We see an enormous potential for the platform,” he said.