The Global Corporate Challenge® 2010 pedometer is a product of seven long years of extensive research, development and rigorous testing. Due to the fact that no other pedometer program, and hence no other pedometer is used as demandingly as the GCC pedometer, each year we gain a better understanding of how our pedometers perform in the field, which is the GCC.
The 2010 GCC pedometer has been designed and engineered by 10 specific pedometer engineers, and perfected through grueling laboratory testing. The GCC pedometer is one of the hardest working in the world, and it needs to be able to deliver accurate readings while also withstanding the rigors of daily use over the 111-day period of the event.
The accuracy of the pedometers is critical. Near enough just isn't good enough, so, every year, participants receive the culmination of 12 months worth of testing, refinement and new technology. Only after withstanding third party lab testing on its durability and exceeding the GCC accuracy benchmarks, will any GCC pedometer be approved for distribution. It is not uncommon for your pedometer readings to vary from 1%-3% from time to time, depending upon a host of factors from how you wear it, whether you are leaning, changes in gait or even the size of your waist.
The GCC pedometer combines the principles of equilibrium and inertia with the technology of digital processing to record your step count. Your GCC Pedometer comprises a mechanical movement sensor, electronic circuit board, LCD display and battery power source (LR1130 alkaline cell battery).
Inside the unit a tiny spring-set horizontal arm moves up and down as you walk, measuring the vertical movement of your hips and activating a motion-sensitive electrical circuit. This measurement is then processed by a software application and displayed on the pedometer's LCD screen.
Research and development provides technical advances but testing is what provides us with the knowledge that things will work. Here are just some of the tests we have had every pedometer certified on via third party testing as well as GCC’s own Pedometer Testing Laboratory. As you will see no pedometer is tested anywhere near the amount as the 2010 GCC pedometer.
Pre-Production Testing:
In 2009, GCC established its own Pedometer Testing Laboratory. The purpose of this was to undertake the most rigorous research, development and testing in the pedometer space. From this our aim was to develop the most durable and accurate pedometer in the world. The first stage of testing involved developing a pedometer with a highly stable counting system inside. Once this was inserted into the pedometers, 15 of these were machine tested to 3 million steps. The results indicated an elite level of accuracy in 99% of cases. These pedometers were also field tested and the same degree of accuracy was found walking and running.
Stage Two Testing:
To complement the new highly stable counting mechanism, the PC board was additionally coated with a smooth copper surface to help manage the smooth mechanical motion of the internal hammer (catering for various degrees of hammer movement). The pedometer diameter was also made a fraction wider to again facilitate the smooth motion of the internal hammer. This has resulted in the ‘hammer’ not coming into contact unnecessarily with any section of the internal parts of the pedometer. What this means: This has allowed the 2010 pedometer to be tested mechanically to over 4-million steps. This testing took place from just 50 steps to 120,000 steps. These pre-production pedometers were compared in accuracy and durability to the renowned Yamax SW700.
Further testing ensuring quality control:
Machine testing every single pedometer and rejecting any that fall outside our quality performance range.
Vertical, upright and horizontal compression testing to load failure ensures the frame structure exceeds the required strength standards to earn certification for GCC use.
Machine weight bearing tests to ensure pedometer clips pass the high benchmark strength requirements set by the GCC.
GCC pedometers are worn on suits, dresses, jeans, skirts, shorts, tracksuits... they are worn in meetings, at desks, on planes, at the football and around the house... they work flat out for the 111 days of the GCC and they are bumped, thumped, dropped, and stretched.
In response with 7 years feedback from our participants, our testing and development is made so stringent to ensure the GCC pedometers are strong, simple to use lightweight, durable, unobtrusive and discreet.
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