ALEX ZHANG
SPORTS TECHNOLOGY
My work in sports technology sits at the intersection of athletic experience, systems thinking, and applied computation. Drawing on years of competitive ice hockey training, refereeing, and coaching, I design technological tools that translate on-ice intuition into scalable, data-informed training systems.
Through VR simulation, AI-driven feedback, and speculative design, I explore how emerging technologies can reshape athlete development—making training more personalized, accessible, and inclusive, while preserving the tactical depth and decision-making that define high-level sport.
I.The Future of Hockey — Conceptual Exploration
I also conceptualized a futuristic VR hockey environment featuring robotic players and multi-level arenas, exploring how emerging technology could reshape training methods, accessibility, and spectator engagement in the sport.
Technology-Enabled Hockey Instruction
II.Blade of Time — VR Hockey Simulation for Inclusive Learning
I designed Blade of Time, a VR-based hockey simulation system that recreates gameplay through immersive UI, player POVs, and interactive mechanics. The system allows learners to experience real hockey scenarios without the constraints of ice time, equipment, or physical access—lowering entry barriers while preserving tactical realism.
III.Hockey Vision Pro — AI-Powered Training & Feedback System
As System & Algorithm Designer, I developed an AI-driven hockey training platform addressing the lack of personalized feedback in traditional coaching. The system integrates stat-capture tools and video annotation, training models on professional game footage to analyze mechanics, positioning, turnovers, and decision-making.
Piloted within a hockey community of 200+ participants, the platform helped players identify blind spots, improve spatial awareness, and refine team strategies through data-informed feedback—bridging athletic training with applied AI.
