InsideOutdoor | WINTER 2022 16 The concept is pretty simple: light up climbing routes. But the bigger objective is much grander. In the longer term, Arcade Climbing is looking to extend its line of climbing technology to climbing walls all over the world, including offices, hotels and schools, or any other entities that can be used to introduce indoor climbing as part of its fitness offerings. For now, however, Arcade has announced the recent implementation of its “responsive climbing technology” in the West Loop (Chicago) and Eckington (Wash. D.C.) locations of Brooklyn Boulders climbing gyms. The company plans to expand rapidly across the U.S. throughout 2022. Arcade Climbing was formed by a team of experienced technologists, climbing gym operators and climbers. Its first introduction is a proprietary technology that reacts to climbers’ movements with colored LEDs that light up the next move and guide climbers through an expanding library of routes, creating endless interactive problems, circuits, games, self-guided training and partner climbs. For consumers new to the sport of indoor climbing, the technology provides guided programs and games for learning the basics. For expert climbers, there is a library of advanced challenges and climbing series developed by professionals to complement training programs. To make it work, the climbing holds and wall are wired with LED lights and force sensors. The wall is connected to a tablet through a mobile app developed to control and manage the proprietary smart wall. Using Bluetooth, an iPad is linked to the climbing wall and from there users can select climbs and activate them onto the wall. “The goal is to invigorate the sport of climbing through reimagined technology and a strong sense of community,” said Martin Adler, CEO of Arcade Climbing. “Arcade Climbing is bringing a fresh, vibrant energy to indoor climbing gyms nationwide, making the sport fun and inclusive for newcomers while presenting new challenges and training programs for avid gym-goers.” Users access an extensive library of climbs and activities set by professional route setters and trainers. They choose what they would like to try, whether it’s a beginner instructional program or an advanced training regime, then press climb on the screen triggering the holds to illuminate their path. “Arcade improves your mental game as you move in response to the lights,” said Jen Saito, an avid climber who lives in Chicago. “This technology dramatically widens the number of problems at your fingertips. Plus, you can tailor your experience and train in a targeted way.” AmazonCemetery is a new website dedicated to helping small businesses impacted by unfair practices by Amazon. The website reviews business deaths caused by Amazon and then explores the reasons why businesses fail. The overriding mission is to document all the businesses that have suffered millions of dollars of losses due to the aggressive practices by Amazon and publicize what the e-commerce behemoth has done to mom-and-pop shops around the country that cannot fight against Amazon alone. The website is collecting data from companies that have suffered major losses due to Amazon. “Amazon’s growth has been unchecked for years, and it left destruction in its path,” said the company. AmazonCemetery is encouraging businesses that have been harmed or shut down by Amazon to fill out the form on its webpage. For more information, visit AmazonCemetery.com. Guiding Lights Arcade Climbing is lighting up routes for all types of climbers New Website Fights for Small Businesses Shut Down by Amazon Start 'em Up When a climber pulls on select holds, a calibrated sensor is initiated, and the output is a variety of actions depending on the activity chosen. It could show the next moves of your route, confirm a send after completion, or trigger an action from a class or game. The Sensor
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