Italy-based equipment supplier Technogym has joined forces with computer giant IBM as part of plans to develop an artificial intelligence-driven, “cognitive coaching platform” for the health, fitness and wellness markets.

The partnership aims to create a "human-like" virtual coach, with the ability to interact with people using natural language.

The vision is for the coach to offer personalised training programmes, based on people’s individual needs, while taking into consideration a multitude of context conditions – such as weather and the person’s health metrics and diet.

Integrating IBM’s cognitive computing and utilising the internet of things, the coach will be native to Technogym's MyWellness platform and interact with the user, managing data, evaluating results and guiding users during workouts.

Nerio Alessandri, founder and CEO of Technogym, said: "Our goal has always been to offer our users a personalised training experience via connected equipment, services and content capable of interacting with them, understanding their deep motivation and needs – and delivering results.

"Our collaboration with IBM represents a further step towards the creation of increasingly customized and engaging training for our clients.”

Alessandri added that he is hoping for industry operators and personal trainers to benefit from the new virtual coaching platform, as it can be harnessed to assist clients and club members while they are travelling or training outside the facilities.