sci-bone/Japan

sci-bone (株式会社sci-bone) is a Tokyo-based company that develops artificial-intelligence motion-analysis technology and delivers it through consumer services, partner integrations and contract R&D. Its consumer-facing service Dash AI lets a user upload video of their running form, runs motion analysis on it, and then proposes suitable running shoes, with an integrated shop (physical stores and e-commerce) supporting automated fitting, coupons and online purchase; checkout is completed on a separate payment site. A second service, MotionLoop, inverts the sequence: purchasing a sports item unlocks access to a sports-analysis application, with motion and ball detection, analytical feedback, and tie-ins with sports equipment manufacturers.

The underlying technology stack spans several approaches. One line estimates whole-body movement indicators from a single measurement device fixed at one location on the body, producing performance evaluation, injury-risk estimation and fatigue calculation. Another, described as "pocket gait analysis AI," is research and development aimed at using a smartphone carried in a pocket to capture exercise information and support very early estimation of certain diseases as well as fall risk, with comment-based intervention. A video-based pipeline detects skeletal information from recorded footage within seconds to analyse movement, including analysis of skilled performers, injury-risk estimation, and evaluation and recommendation of equipment. A further component detects balls and equipment in video to estimate pitching metrics (ball speed, trajectory, spin rate), analyse swings, and analyse player positioning.

Alongside its own services, the company offers its motion-analysis AI to partners in sports, healthcare and manufacturing, from embedding the technology into a client's service to joint development. Stated prior collaboration and contract work includes R&D on gait-data analysis AI, development of an analysis app for a sports event, construction of a heatstroke-risk estimation model, estimation of movement modality using motion sensors, estimation models for physiological indicators from wearable devices, development of analysis tools for teams, and joint research on motion-data measurement at a large domestic marathon event.

Founding story

The founder and representative, 宮澤留以, describes starting long-distance track and field in junior high school and eventually competing in the All Japan University Ekiden, before stopping running because of repeated injuries and declining motivation. Wanting to remain involved with exercise, he went on to research and develop items and services for scientifically improving athletic performance. He states that sci-bone's business grew out of that experience of setbacks in sport combined with his research and development background in motion-analysis systems, with the aim of building services that are easier to understand, simpler to use and easier to keep using, and that the company intends to build its technology base together with domestic research institutions.

Business model

sci-bone combines direct-to-consumer services with business-to-business technology supply. Dash AI monetises through shoe recommendation and sales via an associated online shop, while MotionLoop ties access to an analysis application to the purchase of sports items in cooperation with sports manufacturers. For companies, sci-bone offers its motion-analysis and wearable-data analysis capability on a contract basis, covering core technology development for new businesses through proof-of-concept work, as well as embedding its technology into partners' services and joint development.

Traction

Reported traction includes the Dash AI official Instagram account reaching 13,000 followers and 2.5 million monthly views within eight months of operation, a list of completed collaboration and contract projects (gait-data analysis AI, a sports-event analysis app, a heatstroke-risk estimation model, motion-sensor-based movement estimation, wearable-based physiological indicator models, team analysis tools, and joint research measuring motion data at a large domestic marathon), and the launch of the MotionLoop service in March 2026.

Latest developments

In March 2026 the company began offering MotionLoop, a QR-code-linked ball-sports motion analysis service, and reported the Dash AI Instagram milestone. In April 2026 it launched a contract service for motion-analysis AI and wearable-data analysis covering core technology development and proof-of-concept support across sports, medical and healthcare domains, and announced the start of research and development on technology to estimate heatstroke risk using a single smartphone. The company also states it is recruiting staff.