Earlier this year, Victor Wimbanamayama, the French basketball player who is expected to be the top pick in the 2023 NBA draft, posted a video on social media. This video titled "My point of view is how I see a basketball court" is no stranger.
He zooms in on the 7-foot-2 Wembanyama while clutching the phone and records himself as he dribbles and throws and throws your sense of proportion out the window, spinning the basketball as easy as he can with long spider arms. . Take the apple for a nutshell, he has shown many skills that have made him one of the top favorites in recent years.
But with over 2 million views on Tik Tok alone, it's clear that people are interested in seeing things from a sporting perspective, especially with this combination of size and skill.
Meet Ucam, a unique wearable camera launched by MOORvision in April, which was founded in 2021 by two basketball fans who have the dream and imagination to turn it into reality.
According to a press release from MOORvision, ucam is a wearable camera "designed to blend seamlessly with art, sports, fashion, and culture, breaking the fourth wall of media." The lightweight device (weighing in at 1.3 ounces) consists of two parts that easily and securely attach to any garment – the camera attaches to the front and attaches to magnetic elements under the wearer's clothing.
Powered by a mobile app, Ucam allows you to record, edit and upload videos, even with a live streaming feature that allows users to "interact with fans and followers in real time…a unique mobile solution". Free admission. Videos like Wembanyama offer completely immersive viewing angles, not to mention that athletes and performers can move freely without holding a tape recorder. Each Ucam has a battery life of 90 minutes with several HD video recording options.
The Ucam concept was born in 2016 when LeBron James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first NBA title. In a pivotal moment in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, James caught Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala with a chasing block that blocked a layup attempt in a tight game. Call this moment "The Block" and it will forever be a part of the sport's history.
Five years later, James' signature performance became the inspiration for Los Angeles Film School student Ali Khan Ibragimov. “What an important moment,” thought Ibragimov, watching the best moments. “I wonder what it was like for LeBron… How could [James] feel in that moment?”
Ibragimov immediately contacted Rashan Allen, a Los Angeles based screenwriter. The two met in film school and "found an instant bond through their passions for storytelling, basketball and classic movies". When Ibrahimoff called Allen to express his excitement at seeing James again, they both thought: What if we could put a camera on a T-shirt?
The couple began working together on a feature film. After release, they turned to their first technology venture, a streaming service called "DBO" (or Digital Box Office) exclusively for independent filmmakers. However, their energy has gone into developing Ucam, a product that the MOORvision founders say is "changing the way we perceive and capture life's most memorable moments."
Seed rounds of pre-funding have been secured from top athletes, businessmen, and celebrities including Meta World Peace, Imani McGee-Stafford, and Greg Kristoff. Allen and Ibragimov also appeared on PlayersTV's Front Office , a Shark Tank- esque series that features up-and-coming companies meeting former or current athletes as potential investors. In the case of mOrvision, the founding partners met with former NBA All-Star Deron Williams to discuss Ukam's future.
In the end, Williams missed the opportunity. Although disappointed with the decision, MOORvision continued its efforts and after receiving additional funding, Ucam will be ready for full development in April.
World Peace, an investor in Ukam, said of the product: "What I love about Ukam is how easy it is to attach the camera to the jersey, allowing for different and unique perspectives and helping the wearer gather additional data about your performance and to help improve your game."
While Ucam has particular application in the sports industry—indeed, early testing and marketing efforts included working with an AAU basketball team—MOORvision's founders saw many uses for the device, including personal security. “Although the concept was born in sports, Occam can take entertainment, education, safety and more to the next level,” said Ibragimov.
"My mom used to send me down the street to buy dinner, and we didn't live in the safest area, so we were uncomfortable going out most nights," Allen adds. "But having my mom have a camera that I can give me so I can put my hoodie on discreetly and seamlessly when I leave the house [on my own], it allows her to be with me every step of the way and just for me." The result "I don't know anyone else. The only thing I'm proud of is the achievements we will achieve with our UCAM technology in underprivileged communities around the world."
As manufacturers look for new and innovative ways to visually represent their craft, and athletes expand their social media platforms to further build their brands, it's this kind of versatility that makes Ucam a unique addition to the wearable camera market. “Our goal is for our vision to contribute to your development,” said Ibragimov.
